Return to past not tense possibility

Watson would be OK with going back to Sonics or Grizzlies

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 2, 2006 at midnight

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Earl Watson would have no problem with a homecoming.

Seattle has talked to the Denver Nuggets about acquiring Watson, who played his rookie season of 2001-02 with the SuperSonics.

And Memphis, where Watson played from 2002-05, is looking for a point guard after losing Damon Stoudamire to a season-ending knee injury.

"I can't control where I go," said Watson, Denver's third point guard, who has been the subject of much trade talk. "If I go back to any team that I played for, it's all great situations for me as far as with management and with coaches. I never burned any bridges."

The Sonics have much interest in Watson, who signed a five-year, $29 million deal in September. Watson said the Sonics were the first team to call him when he became a free agent, dialing him up at 12:01 a.m. on July 1.

"I've got a lot of respect (for the SuperSonics)," Watson said. "I really owe that organization. They kind of paved the way for me. Any teams that drafts you and you play a lot your rookie year, you just owe them. It's kind of like a beginning. . . . You just respect them for that.''

Watson also has plenty of respect for the Grizzlies, who lost Stoudamire on Friday. The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal characterized it as a long shot that the Grizzlies, who might not want to take on a big contract, will go after Watson. But he wouldn't have a problem if they do.

"I parted there great," said Watson, who has been close to Jerry West, Memphis' president, since Watson arrived at UCLA in 1997 and West was the Los Angeles Lakers' executive vice president. "Jerry West and I, we talked all summer. He's been like a father figure to me. I told him that regardless of (where he signs), his family embraced me."

Watson has heard plenty of trade rumors all season, especially since he became eligible Dec. 15 to be dealt. Considering Watson has averaged 12.6 points the past 10 games, it hasn't hurt his play.

"I'm playing pretty well through adversity," Watson said. "That speaks tons for me."

Nevertheless, Watson wouldn't mind if his situation is quickly settled.

"I think any person in life wants consistency immediately," he said. "You don't want to be in limbo too long. It's not a healthy way to live. It's not just healthy for anyone. But, at the same time, I'm here now. I might not be here tomorrow, so there's nothing I can do about it."

ETC.: Nuggets coach George Karl said before his team's 98-88 loss to San Antonio on Saturday that point guard Earl Boykins, who missed six games because of a strained left hamstring before returning to play the past four, could be limited. "He came up sore after (the game Thursday against Seattle)," Karl said. "I don't think he's a 30-minute guy (Saturday)." Boykins didn't play 30, scoring 12 points in 27 minutes. Afterward, though, he wondered what the fuss was about. "I'm fine," he said of his hamstring . . . Nuggets point guard Andre Miller handed out five assists Saturday, ending a streak of 12 consecutive games with eight or more assists . . . Eva Longoria, of Desperate Housewives and the girlfriend of Spurs guard Tony Parker, attended the game Saturday . . . The Nuggets did not practice on New Year's Day.

Celtics at Nuggets

• When: 7 tonight.

• Where: Pepsi Center.

• TV/radio: Altitude; KKFN-AM (950).

• Starting lineups:

Boston (12-17) Pos. Ht. Pts.

34 Paul Pierce F 6-6 26.2

7 Al Jefferson F 6-10 8.0

30 Mark Blount C 7-0 12.6

12 Ricky Davis G 6-7 20.8

13 Delonte West G 6-4 9.8

Head coach: Doc Rivers

Denver (14-7) Pos. Ht. Pts.

15 Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 24.8

6 Kenyon Martin F 6-9 11.8

56 Francisco Elson C 7-0 3.9

7 Greg Buckner G 6-4 4.8

24 Andre Miller G 6-2 14.2

Head coach: George Karl

• Injuries: Celtics - G Tony Allen (knee) is questionable; G Dan Dickau (Achilles' tendon) is out. Nuggets - C Marcus Camby (finger), Nene (knee), G Bryon Russell (knee) are out.

• Notes: The Nuggets have lost three games in a row, all at home, and seven of their past nine . . . The Celtics broke a three-game losing streak with a 111-92 road win Saturday against the Los Angeles Clippers . . . Anthony has scored 20 or more points in 15 consecutive games, getting 25 in a 98-88 loss to San Antonio on Saturday . . . Miller has averaged 10.2 assists the past 13 games, raising his season average to 8.5 . . . With Buckner taking over again as the starting shooting guard, former starter DerMarr Johnson has not played the past two games . . . The teams meet for the first time this season. The Celtics had beaten Denver in 10 of 11 games before the Nuggets won both games last season . . . Blount, a former Nuggets player, has averaged 14.2 points the past 12 games.

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