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The real reason the Suns didn't succeed under Earl Watson

The Suns haven't made the playoffs since 2010. Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports

How do the Phoenix Suns get their rebuild back on track after firing head coach Earl Watson on Sunday in the wake of the worst start in NBA history?

While the Suns losing their first three games by a combined 92 points (the worst point differential ever to start a season by a wide margin, according to Basketball-Reference.com) cost Watson his job, the underlying culprit was the stalled development of Phoenix's young core. The Suns' series of high draft picks during their eight seasons in the lottery has yet to yield many players who can be part of the next great Phoenix team.

Can interim head coach Jay Triano, or whoever comes next, do a better job of helping the Suns' prospects make good on their potential?