"He's probably improved as much as any player in a year and a half that I've had," Warriors coach Don Nelson said last month.

Yet for all the progress the former NBA Development League call-up has made, Watson is finding himself to be the odd man out in a crowded backcourt. Since guard Monta Ellis returned to the lineup, Watson's minutes have been scarce and inconsistent.

He played just 17 in Ellis' debut, Jan. 23 against Cleveland. Since then, he's logged 20 minutes or more in three games entering Friday. In two of those, he got the benefit of fourth-quarter minutes in blowouts.

"There's nothing you can do about it but be ready," Watson said.

Watson's minutes figure to take even more of a hit when guard Marco Belinelli returns from injury. But he's not alone. Rookie guard Anthony Morrow has seen a significant decline in action, too.

He totaled 46 minutes on the three-game road trip, most of them coming in the lopsided losses at Dallas and Houston. He didn't play at all against visiting Phoenix on Wednesday.

Old friend

Former Warriors and current Phoenix Suns forward Matt Barnes shot the breeze with his former teammates and assistant coaches before Friday's game. He shared some of his fatherhood experiences with assistant coaches Stephen Silas and Russell Turner, assistant Rico Hines and swingman Stephen Jackson.

Barnes, whose twin boys, Carter and Isaiah, turned 3 months old Friday, also showed off his newest tattoo. On his neck, below his left ear, are their names and the silhouette of their infant feet.

"Seeing them born," Barnes said, "that changed my life."

Barnes, who is averaging 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Suns, also shared a hug with Nelson moments after he checked in during the first quarter.

Off glass

Warriors swingman Kelenna Azubuike, who had 19 of his season-high 25 points in the first quarter Wednesday, went scoreless on two shots in nine first-half minutes Friday, thanks largely to three fouls. ... Suns center Shaquille O'Neal became the seventh player in league history with at least 27,000 points. The other six are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone and Elvin Hayes. O'Neal and Abdul-Jabbar are the only players with 27,000 points, 12,000 rebounds and 2,500 blocks. ... Nelson picked up his fourth technical foul of the season. He was complaining about a foul called on Jackson early in the second quarter when referee David Guthrie hit him with a T. ... The Warriors were outscored 22-2 in fast-break points in the first half.

Marcus Thompson II