Monthly Archives: December 2010

Thank You

Posted on by

When Eric Fehr scored just as time expired at the end of the first period, I said to my wife, “This is truly a remarkable set of circumstances. I can’t believe this run of bad luck. We can’t catch a break. Another goal that doesn’t count just like the one that started the losing streak in Dallas.”

My wife said, “No. They saw the puck go into the net. Watch – they will come out flying in the second period. The bad luck stops right now. It is your bookend of bad luck on goals scored.”

As usual, she was right and I was wrong.

I am very happy for the players and staff that we broke our losing streak last night. It was wonderful to see the players jumping up and down and skating off the ice at game’s end with smiles instead of frowns.

We have a long way to go to heal and improve but every journey starts with a small step.

And with improved goaltending.

Stop the puck. Score some goals. Play with energy. Have some fun.

Onward to Tuesday at home. Go Caps!

The Trade

Posted on by

My last pixels on Gilbert Arenas.

I have always been a supporter of Gilbert Arenas. As a fan and now as an owner.

My responsibility is to help craft a team that is a winner and is built to last.

We have to make an environment that is great for our fans and for our players and for our partners.

I was always hopeful that Gilbert would help our team in its rebuild process.

I have been unabashed in noting that we have to rebuild around our core of young players.We will suffer though a lot of pain but we will be stronger for it. The rebuild will take along time for us to get to where we want to be – an elite team. Building a truly special team has lots of risk – in any fashion imaginable – as noted in this New York Times article. Click here.

The facts are the facts with Gilbert playing huge minutes for us. We were in basically last place in the East.

He has intimated that he would feel more comfortable playing for a contender and not playing as a mentor to young players. He needed a fresh start and I wish him well in this next phase of his career.

The trade helps us to accelerate our rebuild.

Our young players will now get more minutes in the back court. They will be the focus of our attention. And development. It will be apparent to all what we are trying to do with our team.

With the trade we add a two time All-Star front court player. He is long and skilled. And has played on a winner.

From a financial standpoint, we actually pick up salary short term but in the long term, we save cap space. We save significant dollars and we add flexibility in a time frame where we will know how our rebuild is progressing. And what we need to improve.

As you saw last night at the game against Miami, the team responded well to the trade. We played with enthusiasm; with grit; and with an all-for-one and one-for-all attitude.

I wish Gilbert Arenas well. I honestly do. I thank him for all his good work in our community and for his contributions on the court for our franchise.

I warmly welcome Rashard Lewis to our city and to our team. I know he will help us in many ways.

I thank the team for playing so hard last night and I was so sad to see us lose such a close game to the Heat. We deserved a better fate last night.

Wizards Game Tonight – Important Update

Posted on by

The arena will be less frenzied than was previously thought. One of the main dignitaries scheduled to attend has been forced to cancel. He will reschedule.

I just wanted to keep it real and honest with everyone. Just got word of this development a few moments ago. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused our employees, fans or members of the media.

Thank you.

Wish Us Luck – Wish Us Well

Posted on by

In Boston tonight.

Where we play a tough team at their house in the Bruins.We will be banged up and short-handed but I hope focused and hungry. We need a win this weekend in back to back games. Tomorrow in Ottawa, too.

Wish us well at home tonight against the hottest team in the NBA, the Miami Heat. We get some players back from injured reserve. I believe that will help us.

A busy weekend for sure. Go Caps! Go Wizards!

We Competed

Posted on by

It wasn’t pretty.

It was in fact ugly in the first half.

We are short-handed. It is tough to rebuild when the players you are rebuilding around aren’t playing.

But we competed. We dug ourselves out of a big hole.

We tied the game. We were right there with momentum.

We then made turnover after turnover – young players and vets alike. At crunch time.

We don’t have a closer mentality. Yet.

We don’t have that one play that everyone knows is coming but you can’t stop it.

Our players want to improve.

We won’t let frustration get in the way of learning and getting young players their minutes.

Onward to Saturday’s home game.

We will have a big crowd on Saturday, lots of dignitaries and VIPs. If I was you, I wouldn’t be too cool for school and think you will get into the building at your leisure at 7:15 pm. I would get there early. Thank you.