Phoenix Suns head coach Earl Watson was the one individual who saw rough diamonds before they were polished and took shape, before they were held up and shined from every angle, back when all they had was promise.

Those diamonds in the rough were Los Angeles area standouts James Harden and Russell Westbrook, who prior to making noise in NBA arenas, were shredding up their competition in high school and college.

“It’s an L.A. thing. I was just lucky,’’ Watson, who played college basketball ball at UCLA, told Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic. “I saw James and Russ when they both were in high school. I just knew those two were different. James always had a maturity to his game and a patience to his game that high school players just don’t have.”

Westbrook is a sure-fire triple-double threat every time he laces them up, and Watson's Suns found that out the hard way last week when he poured in 26 points to go with 11 rebounds and 22 assists.

“I remember sitting with Sam Presti and I remember telling him about this kid named Russell Westbrook,’’ Watson said. “And at that time Russell wasn’t a big name. People loved Derrick Rose, Jerryd Bayless and O.J. Mayo. And I kept saying, ‘Nah, there’s this other kid named Russ. He’s just different. He’s real raw, but he plays with so much passion. He’s like an animal on the court.'”

Presti asked, according to Watson: “What position does he play?”

“I don’t know,’’ Watson said. “He’s a player.”

The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 and made Westbrook their first round draft selection.

“So Sam comes to me that following season,’’ Watson said. “Russell’s rookie year. He goes, ‘Who do you like this year?' This is in front of all the scouts. I said, ‘This kid named James Harden.' “

Come on.

“They go, ‘You just like everyone from LA,' ” said Watson, who kept sharp in the offseason by playing in Southern California. “I said that’s who I see, I can’t help who comes to the gym.”

Harden was drafted third overall, once again following Watson's vision.

“After that, I told (Presti), ‘If you want any more intel, you’re going to have to hire me.'”