Random Luck | Ted's Take

We deserve the first pick in the NBA draft. Luck balances out although it is random. Can you name a team that went through more hard times than the Wizards did last year?

I would like to thank Irene Pollin for bringing us the good fortune, and for wearing Mr. Pollin’s Championship ring on the big stage last night. I know that had something to do with it.

I am very happy for the city and for our fans. It is a wonderful statement of rebirth and of reinvention while paying homage to the past but focused firmly on a bright future. We won the lottery. We get the first pick in the draft. We can say we are lucky…and now we want to be lucky and good and then lucky and great!

I am still sanguine — crafting great teams built to last is difficult, but it just got a tad easier. And I am hopeful that we draft, develop, and then retain a great franchise player. Building through the draft is job 1 for this franchise.

We are just starting out on a long difficult journey together. I am up for the challenge. My friends and partners are up for the challenge. It won’t be easy but we will enjoy the ride.

You feeling lucky? I always do. Thanks for the support and best wishes. I can’t respond to so many emails today but will try my best. And I lost my cell phone last night in NJ somewhere so if I don’t respond to your calls immediately don’t take it personally !

Enjoy the ride though! Go Wizards Go.

11 thoughts on “Random Luck”

Hello Ted,

Just heard from several media outlets that the Sixers are willing to part with the #2 overall if someone takes Elton Brand. Sounds like a great idea, then the Wiz wouldn’t have to decide between Wall and Turner. We could have both. A great young nucleus.

Hey Ted, I’m a huge fan of everything you’ve been doing for the city of Washington. Congratulations on winning the lottery. I wish you luck in hopes of getting this community a DUEL sport championship. Even though I have no liquid assets in the company I feel like I partially contributed to the lottery winning. I had a dream a night before the draft in which John Wall (the consensus #1 pick) was shaking your hand. Kinda odd, but cool IMO.

Anyway, just a side note. I feel like a new beginning deserves a fresh look. Our jerseys are a tad outdated. It’d be neat for you to do something similar to what you did with the Caps. It’s a definite revenue builder/spark and firm statement that indicates the tides have shifted. Good luck!

Mr. Leonis I want to offer you congrats on receiving the #1 pick in the up coming NBA draft. It’s important to give you all the well wishes ahead of the headache you’re about to receive if you don’t get rid of Ernie. What you have done with the Caps sense becoming owner has been very impressive. I must admit I just started going to the games (6)this year and enjoyed everything about it. My expertise though is within the game of basketball. Michael Jordan is my favorite of all time and being as though you played such a major role in bringing him to DC I feel you deserve to know at least from my perspective why you need to let Ernie go NOW!

Ernie has been to my knowledge the GM for three different teams Knicks, Bucks, and Wizards. While holding those positions he didn’t once make it to the NBA Finals. I will admit that Ernie does bring in talented players, but it’s the NBA, most players are talented. It’s about having the ability to determine style based on personnel.

The Wizards last year had eight guards(Mike Miller, Gilbert,Foyle,Boykins,Stevenson,Young,Livingston and Crittenton) on the roster. Can Ernie please explain as to why in the world you would have eight guards on an fifteen man roster team in the NBA and actually think you’re going to win games. I mean it’s not rocket science that a strickly jump shooting teams in the NBA don’t win(period). Not to mention your small/power forwards were also jump shooters.

Then you hire Flip Saunders to be your head coach after firing Eddie Jordan. I’m not saying that Eddie should.shouldn’t have been fired, but I am asking why would you bring in a coach that has never been proven to be a coach that gets teams over the hump? In Minnesoda with KG he didn’t do anything (reason KG left), he inherited a Championship team in Detriot and what happen, he was fired! How do you get fired from a team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals five years straight? To me that says, you don’t know what the heck you’re doing. So why in the world would Ernie hire this guy? Let’s be frank, Ernie and Flip are part of the NBA GM/Coaches carousel. They just keep going around and around the NBA not winning a damn thing!

With all that said, you are in a very tough position. You have the first pick in the draft, your bringing back(currently) the face of your of your organization in Gilbert and you have a lot of cap space available to acquire free agents. Today isn’t exactly the opportune time to fire your GM, but I will say if you want to start off on the right foot as Wizards owner I would suggest rolling up your sleaves and getting to work. The decisions that you sign off on over the next couple months will determine your success over the next five years at least.

If you’re looking for some ideas I’m willing to get you my opinion. Last thought, the reason the NJ Nets will eventually be successful is because the owner doesn’t know what/who is on the NBA carousel so his mind is completely open.

I can go on and on for days about this, but I too have a job in which if I don’t perform, guess what, I get fired!

Hey Ted,

I’ll give you and the Wizards a hesitant congratulations, but you do make a great intimation about the challenges the Wiz faced this past season. So, congrats, and hopefully your fortunes change, but not better than the Nets’… hahaha. In any case, I just wanted to let you know that Nets fans everywhere are hoping you select DeMarcus Cousins to fill in your four/five spot, which will allow John Wall, but more likely Evan Turner to fall to the Nets with the third pick! Eh, just thought I’d try!

I wish I was able to use the Jedi mind trick through the internet!

DV from ESPN’s TrueHoop Nets blog, NetsAreScorching.com

Mr Leonsis,
As a huge Capitals and Wizards fan, and DC sports fan in general, I’d just like to say keep up the good work. I truly do believe in a lot of changes are coming up in the future for us. Although I am in the US Coast Guard and stationed 3000 miles away, I watch all of the games that I can, and now look forward to our #1 draft pick next season. Let’s continue the changes and produce not only a team that can be respected in the playoffs, but also on that is formidable in the playoffs. Sir, I would also like to recommend a name change for the wizards. Let’s change it to something that celebrates and signifies the pride we take in rooting for our Nation’s capitol!

Mr. Leonsis, Being a wizards and Caps fan for 20 yrs. I am very pleased you have acquired the Wizards. I have not emailed you prior to this. My daughter completed freshman year at Univ of Kentucky and has had first hand knowledge of John Wall. John has been an upstanding person while at UK. He has gone to class when he did not need to go. He has not been in trouble or demonstrated questionable behavior. I realize you have access to background information people like me are not privy to see. I sincerely hope you will draft John. While he need to increase his upper body strength and develpo a better outside shot and quicker release, he will be someone you can build the team around. Thanks for your time.

Please change the Wizards’ logo to commemorate a new beginning.

Ted-

Congrats on the number 1 overall pick..

First order of business.. change those dreaded looking uniforms please. The whites aren’t so bad, the away uni’s are just dreadful. Not a fan of the gold, but I’m sure some are.

I wouldn’t mind going back to the Bullets colors with the Wizards name. I’m sure you get it from all angles.. just thought I’d sprinkle in my 2 cents

Best of luck!

As a lifelong Wizards fan who is the son of a lifelong Bullets / Wizards fan, we’ve been waiting 32 years for the next right combination of skill and opportunity. Much thanks for keeping the Wizards organization “in the family”, so to speak. I could not fathom anyone else assuming majority ownership, nor would I want anyone else so doing. It may not be today or tomorrow but Wizards fans know we can expect good things in the future, and as a fan that is all we can ask for.

Congrats! I predict a change of wind in the Wizard’s fortune. Many good things happening. All great organizations start at the top and then it trickles down. Of coarse, a little luck never hurt anyone either! Washington, DC, an unrecognized (by most) basketball mecca, deserves the new fortunes coming to it.

Ted, Congrats on all the “luck” but we know that fortune needs to be coupled with vision and I believe you have a good track record of great vision. I look forward to what you will continue to do with Washington Sports and Entertainment.

You have inspired me to be where I am today as I am a year from hitting the 30 year old mark of my life. I know I only have brighter days ahead. Love the book too!

Phillip Reynolds on May 21, 2010 at 7:13 PM said:

Hello Ted,

Just heard from several media outlets that the Sixers are willing to part with the #2 overall if someone takes Elton Brand. Sounds like a great idea, then the Wiz wouldn’t have to decide between Wall and Turner. We could have both. A great young nucleus.
Kenan on May 21, 2010 at 5:23 PM said:

Hey Ted, I’m a huge fan of everything you’ve been doing for the city of Washington. Congratulations on winning the lottery. I wish you luck in hopes of getting this community a DUEL sport championship. Even though I have no liquid assets in the company I feel like I partially contributed to the lottery winning. I had a dream a night before the draft in which John Wall (the consensus #1 pick) was shaking your hand. Kinda odd, but cool IMO.

Anyway, just a side note. I feel like a new beginning deserves a fresh look. Our jerseys are a tad outdated. It’d be neat for you to do something similar to what you did with the Caps. It’s a definite revenue builder/spark and firm statement that indicates the tides have shifted. Good luck!
Ray J. on May 20, 2010 at 10:51 AM said:

Mr. Leonis I want to offer you congrats on receiving the #1 pick in the up coming NBA draft. It’s important to give you all the well wishes ahead of the headache you’re about to receive if you don’t get rid of Ernie. What you have done with the Caps sense becoming owner has been very impressive. I must admit I just started going to the games (6)this year and enjoyed everything about it. My expertise though is within the game of basketball. Michael Jordan is my favorite of all time and being as though you played such a major role in bringing him to DC I feel you deserve to know at least from my perspective why you need to let Ernie go NOW!

Ernie has been to my knowledge the GM for three different teams Knicks, Bucks, and Wizards. While holding those positions he didn’t once make it to the NBA Finals. I will admit that Ernie does bring in talented players, but it’s the NBA, most players are talented. It’s about having the ability to determine style based on personnel.

The Wizards last year had eight guards(Mike Miller, Gilbert,Foyle,Boykins,Stevenson,Young,Livingston and Crittenton) on the roster. Can Ernie please explain as to why in the world you would have eight guards on an fifteen man roster team in the NBA and actually think you’re going to win games. I mean it’s not rocket science that a strickly jump shooting teams in the NBA don’t win(period). Not to mention your small/power forwards were also jump shooters.

Then you hire Flip Saunders to be your head coach after firing Eddie Jordan. I’m not saying that Eddie should.shouldn’t have been fired, but I am asking why would you bring in a coach that has never been proven to be a coach that gets teams over the hump? In Minnesoda with KG he didn’t do anything (reason KG left), he inherited a Championship team in Detriot and what happen, he was fired! How do you get fired from a team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals five years straight? To me that says, you don’t know what the heck you’re doing. So why in the world would Ernie hire this guy? Let’s be frank, Ernie and Flip are part of the NBA GM/Coaches carousel. They just keep going around and around the NBA not winning a damn thing!

With all that said, you are in a very tough position. You have the first pick in the draft, your bringing back(currently) the face of your of your organization in Gilbert and you have a lot of cap space available to acquire free agents. Today isn’t exactly the opportune time to fire your GM, but I will say if you want to start off on the right foot as Wizards owner I would suggest rolling up your sleaves and getting to work. The decisions that you sign off on over the next couple months will determine your success over the next five years at least.

If you’re looking for some ideas I’m willing to get you my opinion. Last thought, the reason the NJ Nets will eventually be successful is because the owner doesn’t know what/who is on the NBA carousel so his mind is completely open.

I can go on and on for days about this, but I too have a job in which if I don’t perform, guess what, I get fired!
DV from NAS on May 19, 2010 at 8:50 PM said:

Hey Ted,

I’ll give you and the Wizards a hesitant congratulations, but you do make a great intimation about the challenges the Wiz faced this past season. So, congrats, and hopefully your fortunes change, but not better than the Nets’… hahaha. In any case, I just wanted to let you know that Nets fans everywhere are hoping you select DeMarcus Cousins to fill in your four/five spot, which will allow John Wall, but more likely Evan Turner to fall to the Nets with the third pick! Eh, just thought I’d try!

I wish I was able to use the Jedi mind trick through the internet!

DV from ESPN’s TrueHoop Nets blog, NetsAreScorching.com
Sean on May 19, 2010 at 7:09 PM said:

Mr Leonsis,
As a huge Capitals and Wizards fan, and DC sports fan in general, I’d just like to say keep up the good work. I truly do believe in a lot of changes are coming up in the future for us. Although I am in the US Coast Guard and stationed 3000 miles away, I watch all of the games that I can, and now look forward to our #1 draft pick next season. Let’s continue the changes and produce not only a team that can be respected in the playoffs, but also on that is formidable in the playoffs. Sir, I would also like to recommend a name change for the wizards. Let’s change it to something that celebrates and signifies the pride we take in rooting for our Nation’s capitol!
Travis Patterson on May 19, 2010 at 5:02 PM said:

Mr. Leonsis, Being a wizards and Caps fan for 20 yrs. I am very pleased you have acquired the Wizards. I have not emailed you prior to this. My daughter completed freshman year at Univ of Kentucky and has had first hand knowledge of John Wall. John has been an upstanding person while at UK. He has gone to class when he did not need to go. He has not been in trouble or demonstrated questionable behavior. I realize you have access to background information people like me are not privy to see. I sincerely hope you will draft John. While he need to increase his upper body strength and develpo a better outside shot and quicker release, he will be someone you can build the team around. Thanks for your time.
Steve on May 19, 2010 at 1:29 PM said:

Please change the Wizards’ logo to commemorate a new beginning.
John B on May 19, 2010 at 12:59 PM said:

Ted-

Congrats on the number 1 overall pick..

First order of business.. change those dreaded looking uniforms please. The whites aren’t so bad, the away uni’s are just dreadful. Not a fan of the gold, but I’m sure some are.

I wouldn’t mind going back to the Bullets colors with the Wizards name. I’m sure you get it from all angles.. just thought I’d sprinkle in my 2 cents

Best of luck!
Mike Stahl on May 19, 2010 at 11:37 AM said:

As a lifelong Wizards fan who is the son of a lifelong Bullets / Wizards fan, we’ve been waiting 32 years for the next right combination of skill and opportunity. Much thanks for keeping the Wizards organization “in the family”, so to speak. I could not fathom anyone else assuming majority ownership, nor would I want anyone else so doing. It may not be today or tomorrow but Wizards fans know we can expect good things in the future, and as a fan that is all we can ask for.
Matt on May 19, 2010 at 10:15 AM said:

Congrats! I predict a change of wind in the Wizard’s fortune. Many good things happening. All great organizations start at the top and then it trickles down. Of coarse, a little luck never hurt anyone either! Washington, DC, an unrecognized (by most) basketball mecca, deserves the new fortunes coming to it.
Jonathan on May 19, 2010 at 10:10 AM said:

Ted, Congrats on all the “luck” but we know that fortune needs to be coupled with vision and I believe you have a good track record of great vision. I look forward to what you will continue to do with Washington Sports and Entertainment.

You have inspired me to be where I am today as I am a year from hitting the 30 year old mark of my life. I know I only have brighter days ahead. Love the book too!