No one can be happy with the Wizard’s performance in Toronto last night. No one.
My expectations are quite simple; the team needs to forge an identity that we are energetic; have young legs– we are tough to play against–and we have upside. And that we play tough and that we play together. We are tight–we are well coached.
We didn’t show any thing like that last night– and to not have one road win yet this season is unacceptable.
We all know that; but this is the business we have chosen; to rebuild; to get healthy– to play through rough and tough times together– if it doesn’t kill you–it makes you stronger.We are in it together–all of us. I get the joke. I was happy to see John Wall and Al Thorton back on the court last night– they will help us get back to higher levels of team performance.
Losing on the road so much also places so much more importance on winning at home. After 3 tough road games– we get to play one at home on Friday– then we go back on the road. Again.
Time to regroup.
And time to ignore the noise that the media tries to create– and focus on signal.
I can’t and won’t comment any more about Internet rumors; I tried to be straight forward– and direct in my comments about trade rumors– yet it did nothing to stop the generation of pixels in that regard– so be it.
We’re comingto games…we’re watching the toad games.
Some days are better than others…until everyone, including Josh Howard is healthy we have no idea what we’ve got. But the players on the court need 110% effort everytime out…and we’re not always seeing that.
The fans will only care if they care.
DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT trade Gilbert…particularly for Vince. Don’t be tempted by Vince’s expiring contract. He’s a loser. Gil is almost all the way back…we love him.
Our coach said earlier in the year that he can’t coach effort so there you go. A team will go where they are lead. We lack leadership Ted.
I feel we have most of the pieces. I do not think three guards and a soft playing PF can win in the NBA, especially in the EAST. We acquire combo G-F’s and do not utilize them enough. Martin and Gee should be able to put a hand in a jump shooters face and help defend the paint, rebound, score, and protect the lanes. So, either Gil or Wall with Martin, Gee, Blatche and McGee. McGee has no help with 3 guards and Blatche absent on defense. He can play defense, he just chooses not to on most nights. If Blatche will not commit to defense, bring him off the bench. Start Booker, you lose some offense, the rest of the lineup is sufficient in scoring. Cousins is wearing out his welcome in Sacramento. Send Armstrong or Seraphin along with a #1 draft pick and get the Center we have needed for years. His power with McGee’s agility will hold down the position for years. We have been searching for this player a long time. Teaming him and Wall again may be just what he needs. Ask Wall if that would work, maybe it wont. Gil, Hinrich, and Young are good at stripping the ball, but none can defend jump shooters. Gee and Martin are better at it and can score. Saunders appears to have lost this team, the players are not learning defensive assignments. We will never beat good teams playing poor defense. A bench of Gil (I like) Hinrich, Young, Yi, Booker/Blatche, Seraphin, Armstrong is formidable. Howard may be able to score, I’m not sure his mobility will allow him to defend effectively. I mentioned I like Gil, he has trouble on defense, and he is not as consistent as he used to be. Still he has ability. Wall does not have the experience, but he can guard and his shot is improving dramatically. His generalship may improve with better supporting cast that I mentioned. Gil and Wall together may be OK if the rest of the lineup has a strong defensive presence to cover for Gil. Gil, Wall, Blatche, Howard and McGee will get scored on with consistency. Blatche is the key ingredient, ability, with no consistent defense. This is the position that makes or breaks the team. Get him playing right and you win, let him cheat, and you lose.
Hi Mr.Leonsis,
Thank you for the comment. I agree completely with the idea to “rebuild” but in order to rebuild we need a strong foundation and when the master architect walks out on the team in practice two weeks ago and the team knowingly admits to doing the same on a game day we have a problem which needs to be addressed before immediately before further construction.
I was so upset while watching the game and I am a fan and not the person signing the check so i can only imagine…
I was prepared for a rebuild but what I have seen so far says stop, adjust accordingly and proceed with a new game plan because lack of effort cannot and will not be tolerated…oh beg the pardon I am not an owner I only pretend to be online.
Thank you for being so open, accessible and committed.
Sincerely
Taylor H.
Hi Ted:
As a reasonably long time and loyal WIZ season ticket holder who has been a fan of basketball for over 60 years, I think you might want to reconsider the question – Do you have the right head coach and coaching staff for meeting your key sstrategic objective of developing a group of young, talented but somewhat undisciplined players into an energetic and constantly improving unit??
Respectfully,
Stu Rosenwasser
Mr. Ted You have a culture of losing that’s been created and it’s live so if you don’t make moves; well
otherwise sit back and watch the disaster. The whole club is resaponsible for the things yesterday in Toronto. It was a shame.
Also, Your international coverage is obviously very badly and you had promised that it was to be improved. Pecherov and now Serafin…! Washington does not even have an international scout!? relying on a service?? that lots of other NBA teams get too? thats your improvement. I thought you were serious when you wrote to me,,, now I see that you were no.t
thank you, and good luck because I know you need it. Maria
The “tough times” aren’t because of the strategy of rebuilding they are because of poor execution of that strategy by the GM and coach.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Ted. Last night’s performance is not one we’d choose to repeat; yet, I don’t think we can place the blame squarely on the players’ shoulders; the blame must be shared at least equally, if not moreso, with the coach. Flip has no offensive/defensive schemes; has questionable rotations and substitution patterns; and has demonstrated over and over and over and over and over an inability to utilize, to its fullest potential, the extraordinary talent on this team. I know we’re rebuilding; I am very patient; and I will even tolerate last night’s loss. I’m not going to stop supporting this team because I believe in THESE Wizards (warts and all). However, watching the body language and facial expressions of these young men only confirms my suspicion that Flip’s approach to coaching a young team such as this one serves only to frustrate and discourage this young team. As a fan, he disheartens ME; I can only imagine how he’s disheartening his players. We need a coach who can teach, who can motivate, who can encourage these young talents; yet, Flip’s not doing that. Clearly, I’m not privy to the Wizards’ inner circle; but when all the fans hear from Flip are comments about his players and players’ performances that are sarcastic at best and negative at worst, it’s hard to believe he’s the right man to lead our rebuilding effort. I know we can all sit back and say, there is no reason to be non-communicatie and lethargic at practice; however, if I were berated, criticized and frustrated consistently, it would be difficult for me to generate enthusiasm and intensity too –at practice or elsewhere.
Our team (as constructed) is capable of great things AND A WINNING RECORD. Maybe we should rebuild with someone (Sam) who is in tune with today’s players; who has played at a high level (Cassell) and will command and earn the respect of his players (Sam Cassell).
As always, thank you for providing a forum for dissent and discussion. My support for this team is unwavering; for the coach, not so much.
P.S. Thank you for trying, at least, to put yesterday’s internet trade rumors to rest — a challenging feat, to say the least. We want to keep our Wizards season tickets; yet if Gilbert Arenas and Andray Blatche were to be traded, you could trade our season tickets as well, because we’d become Magic fans in a heartbeat.
Ted,
I would like to take a moment to thank you for your realistic approach to the Wizards. I’ve been a fan since the Bullets days and am glad to see a set solution in mind. I understand the rumor mill can be frustrating, but that’s life in general. Stay true to who you are and you have the fans’ support the whole way. I’m in no position to buy a ticket right now but please know there are many of us glued to the TV cheering our hardest.
Flip could not motivate a veteran championship team in Detroit. He had the same problem last year with the Wiz before the team was blown up. He’s having more problems with this team. It’s apparent that he can’t motivate and lead.
Blatche is a stand up guy in more ways than one. If you notice he never bends his knees to play defense and his feet appear to be stuck in cement. That should be an easy fix for an effective coach.
Gil seems perplexed at times. He plays best when he is assertive. I wonder if Flip is giving him mixed signals. I’m glad you have no intention of trading him.
Ted this mess must quickly be fixed before the season is totally wasted. The diminishing fan base is hurting.
Ted,
You have to clean house. Ernie and Flip don’t belong here. Ernie has done a terrible job with managing the team and he has brought in alot of soft players. Plus he traded a very valuable lottery pick last year for 2 guys that dont even play for you anymore.
You are the new owner…bring your own people here and purge this organization of the garbage that has collected over the past 30 miserable years.
This is the worst franchise in pro sports. Look at our track record since 1980. Our best record in the past 30 years has been a laughable 45-37. Nobody is going to want to come here till they see change and right now its the same old same old.
Clean House and Do it now.
Ted – I noticed this earlier in the season. Players are saying they are tight knit, you are saying it but I dont see it so much on the court. Example and point – watch wizars pregame with Chris Miller and Ron Thompson for the Toronto game. Ron made the point that when Javale got knocked down by Elton Brand no one came right away to help him up. When Miami got knocked down it was a scuffle. I’ve noticed that other teams have helped our own players who have fallen when our guys haven’t. This is a serious problem, either they dont care about each other or are just plain lazy. Dee