Watson on how his brother's murder shaped him into the person he is today

[Boise Blazer]

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/watson-how-his-brothers-murder-shaped-him-person-he-today

“My little brother was murdered when I was 24 and he was 17,” Watson told CSNNW.com. “The murder is still unsolved. Someone ran him off the road. I believe it was probably a drunk driver. We found him in the middle of the street. It was like a surreal moment. A surreal situation.”

Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri wasn’t easy. It was downright “challenging,” in Watson’s words. The city today remains a place infested with crime, gangs and drugs. Watson’s parents had separated when he was a young kid, leaving his mother with the difficult task of raising six kids on a $13,000 yearly income.

A mother can only do so much to keep her kids away from all the bad elements of the streets. You can’t lock them in their room all day. An individual has to grow up and experience life. And even though he had four older brothers doing their best to keep him in line, they couldn’t prevent the heartache Watson would experience as a child.

“I buried four close friends between the 8th and 10th grade all through homicide,” Watson said. “I wouldn’t wish for anybody to have to grow up like that. I wasn’t completely isolated because if you grow up in a neighborhood like that, I feel like sometimes the atmosphere of the neighborhood chooses you if you don’t have someone in your corner pushing you in the opposite direction.”

“I used to be 100 percent basketball,” Watson admitted. “Trying to pursue perfection as a basketball player. I really didn’t give a lot of time to balance my life through spirituality, through community or even spending enough time with my family. I was so focused on basketball. I was overly focused. I was in a box. I had tunnel vision on what I wanted to do in this league in order to give Eric a better opportunity financially. In a way, losing my brother kind of grounded me. It made me more balanced. It taught me to never take any moments for granted and focus on capturing every moment as much as I can.”

At one time, he was single-minded, concerned only about his career and family. However, through some tough circumstances, Watson has become the ultimate helper.

There’s no wonder why Watson received votes over the last few years in the NBA’s Annual GM Survey category of active player that will make the best head coach someday. He has a passion for coaching because he has a passion for helping people.

Overcoming a loss such as a brother or sister is one of the most difficult things one can go through. But through it all, not only has Watson handled it with the utmost class, he has become stronger person because of it.

Eric helped him get to this point. The next point will be him roaming the sidelines of a NBA court.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I don't mean to be a pedant.. but if they think it was a drunk driver hitting him, it shouldn't be "murder", right?

 

[THE HCP]

I lost a few very close friends at around the age of 19-20 and it was really tough. I couldn't imagine losing a brother though. Props for Earl to use this as a flame to push him in life. I have only had a few interactions with him and he has come across as a quality human being.

 

[magnifier661]

Wow I didn't know that?! Condolences a little late for me

 

[jlprk]

I lost a few very close friends at around the age of 19-20 and it was really tough. I couldn't imagine losing a brother though. Props for Earl to use this as a flame to push him in life. I have only had a few interactions with him and he has come across as a quality human being.

I thought you know all the Mexicans in town. You better talk to this hombre. Tell him he's my favorite player this season. Ask him if he's ever been to Colton, California.