I find nothing in this story that surprises me.
We are rebuilding our team. It isn’t like we are suddenly not a productive squad. We were a lottery team the last two years. The team has not been ultra competitive for many years. It is why I try to remind us that the team was once championship caliber and it has won the ultimate prize. See article here.
We are now really eyeing some key deliverables for the rest of the season – craft an identity as a team; be tough to play against; be a coachable and well run team; integrate young players into a rotation alongside veterans; and get some more wins to gain confidence in the system and each other.
Our main setbacks have come from injuries and uncertainty.
We essentially have our team now for this season. We are almost all healthy.
I agree. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
We are 30 plus games into a long season and an even longer rebuild. We will see progress along with setbacks. That is the nature of these rebuild projects. Two steps forward, one step back. No short cuts. We have to have belief in what we are doing and stay with the program. I believe in it. Thank you.
Ted -
As a 42 year old man who as followed the Bullets/Wizards, Redskins, and Orioles (sorry, tried, but could never get into hockey) his entire conscious life, let me tell you:
Having an owner — like you — who obviously goes about things the “right way” in trying to build a winner makes a huge difference to me as a fan.
To be blunt, I’m waiting for both Peter Angelos and Danny Snyder to get hit by trucks (or changed by a higher power, i guess) so that my other teams can really improve.
With the Wizards, I have confidence they’re in the right hands. Even if we can’t see the results yet on the court.
As a season ticket holder, I’m really not evaluating this team based on wins and losses. I want to see if the players are maturing together as a group and developing chemistry. I want to see John Wall especially improve his play calling ability and his jump shot. I want to see the vets on this team to be able to keep this team composed when they’re in adverse situations. If I see this happening in the season, then the team is making significant progress towards a winning team in the near future.
The injuries have been devastating. This Jan stretch had great potential had we been able to hit the floor running instead of limping. Post reports blatche trade rumors. Please don’t do it. U were brilliant to sign the kid to an extension that is well-paid but very sound. That said, the fact he signed that extension should tell you something now that dust has cleared. He has NO IDEA how good he can be. Did Garnett or Jermaine o Neal (2 guys I think he should shoot for as a goal) sign their second ext w 2 years left for about half the max? No. So great job by your front office but now you guys gotta pound into his brain that he can either be somewhere between Jermaine and Garnett, or John “hot-plate” Williams… 1 of my fav players of all-time who didn’t take care of body and now is completely unheard of unless u are a hardcore 80′s NBA fan. Just work w him don’t trade him cuz if the right voice hits his ear the limit is way higher than the value garnered in trade at this time
Ted – I know this may be a side issue but could you please stop the silly music that is played while the Wizards have the ball. I would like to see all the music stopped. You attend a game to see and hear the game. The squeak of their sneakers. Whatever dialog you may pick up. You know – hear the game. The music is very loud and just annoying. I mean the Adams Family theme ….If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands….really??
Let fans be fans. We know when to chant Defense. We don’t need to be prompted. I know you’ll improve the wins, but improving our enjoyment I know is in the front of your mind. Thank you.
Ted–I understand the process, but it’s really hard to see the progress, even with the deliverables you set forward here.
I’m still a fan, but would love this team so much more with the addition of some heart and some effort. This team has no heart. Saunders says all the time that you can’t coach effort, but I strongly disagree. Take a look at Jim Larranaga and tell me you can’t coach effort.
I’ll know we’re on the the right track when I see some players that are inspired and driven to win, even if the standings don’t always show that.
That’s losing not loosing
That’s loosing not poising
Promise less than u deliver and deliver more than u promise. Let’s enjoy the underdog role, play hard and be gracious in our defeats. There is nothing shameful about poising. The redsox went more than a lifetime without winning a championship but still delivered a winning product. Make a basketball game more than the game. Make it a motivational statement about playing hard, being selfless and inspiring others.