Ted's Take

The Blogging Site of Ted Leonsis

Archive for October 25th, 2009

Check Out the Standings

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

We aren’t playing as well as we can. We aren’t healthy. We can’t score on a power play on the road. We aren’t gelled as a defensive unit. We seem to lack some intensity. See? I read your emails but we are 6-2-2.

We are near the top of the East in goals scored; middle of the pack in goals against; and near the top in points garnered. We have won 4 games in a row - ugly wins - but wins just the same.

We have so much work to do. We have so much improvement to make but after ten games, we are first in the division and near the top in the East. We are 6-2-2. We have 14 of 20 possible points. That is a decent pace for the year. We know we aren’t near peak performance yet and we ask for a bit of patience from our most demanding fans and the media. We know we have upside. It is a long season. We need to get healthy, keep garnering points and have a bit more fun out there. Onward. Go Caps!

As a Fan - As a Partner

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

I believe in this year’s team. I think the Washington Wizards have a very good mix of vets, size, skill and talent with a new world class coaching staff and a big ole chip on the collective shoulders of the team.

The key for this team is cohesion and health. End of story.

There are many new players to be integrated into the lineup.

There is the overcoming of rust and and injuries and learning a new system from a new demanding coach.

But the pieces are here for an exciting playoff team and who knows how deep the run can be if the team stays healthy? Sports Illustrated in this most recent issue was very positive on the team’s potential.

I am a Gilbert Arenas fan. I believe that Gil has world class talent, drive and skills. He is now at that point in his career that wins are more important than personal stats and that he understands the benefits of team accomplishments. He loves the game and his teammates and the fans. He wants to come back and help the team win. End of story.

As many of you know, my sports partnership owns 100 percent of the Washington Capitals and 100 percent of the Washington Mystics. We also own 44 percent of the Verizon Center, the local Ticketmaster franchise and the Washington Wizards with an exclusive right to buy the rest when Mr. Pollin decides to sell the basketball team and related assets. We are Mr. Pollin’s minority partner in the team. We believe in what he has done to re-craft this team to be a world class attraction to the fans and to be a very competitive team that at minimum makes the playoffs again. Here’s to hoping for a healthy team and a great season. I know Mr. Pollin’s competitiveness burns bright and his fondest desire is to bring a championship to the fans of the Wizards.

It would be so great for our city to have playoff basketball in the district again. My belief is that both the Caps and Wizards make the playoffs and we are both utilizing the great facility that Mr. Pollin built for the fans come April and then later in the Fall. The Mystics are playing in the playoffs as well. Wouldn’t that be great?