Yesterday was my birthday.
I was inundated by more than 1000 emails and Facebook email messages wishing me Happy Birthday. I can’t respond to so many good wishes so thank you all via my blog for remembering my birthday. Elvis and Stephen Hawking too! Happy Birthday.
I did not get a very nice birthday gift though from the Washington Wizards.
I was up close and watched a very dispirited effort by our team yesterday afternoon; which really surprised me after such a strong effort against the Knicks.
There is a lot of noise right now – and lots of angst – I have found the best thing to do in times of stress and turmoil is to do research; be analytical; NOT emotional; and try to find ways to improve.
I appreciate all of your emails; and blog posts and suggestions on what to do.
Obviously – no one is happy with the progress we are making as a team; it is important that we be measured and smart in how we move forward.
Thank you for caring so much and for all of your input.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FELLOW JANUARY BABY!!! GO CAPS AND WIZ!!!
-DIE HARD FAN
Mr. Leonsis,
I have been a Bullet/Wizards fan since the days of Gene Shue having the Bullets play there half court game. Walking the ball up the court with aging veterans. I am a believer in building through the draft, and with youth. But I have a problem with the lineup that is playing at Verizon Center right now. There is no chemistry on the court, with lackluster effort each night. I do not believe this to be Saunders fault, but he is part of the problem. The Wizards need a no-nonsense coach, whomever that might be. The team is not responding to his technique or his guidance, and its more than obvious watching a complete game. I also see Andre Blatche as a shot happy, me first type of guy. He should be penetrating to the basket, not shooting fade away jump shots. He has the opportunity to create shots for others with kick outs, but only does so with 2-3 seconds left on the clock, forcing turnovers. He is the Juwan Howard of this team, coming out opening night making promises, and comments that cannot be met by the team. My other problem and or questions for you sir, is why was Rashard Lewis kept on this roster? I know his past history as a great shooter, but that was the past. He looks slow, not happy, and does not care type of attitude. I personally would have triggered the new rule and let him have left this team. Give me a couple more Trevor Bookers, and Chris Singeltons, guys who are hungry to make a splash in this league. I also would allow Ernie to make so moves to shake things up. This lineup cannot go out and continue this way. There will be nobody in the stands to watch them. I know I am a fan venting my frustrations, but If I were making moves to clearly help my team. I would let Sam Cassell take over the team (They need to hear a former players perspective, who is not that far removed from his playing days). If those players cannot respond to his words, rid the cancers on the team. I would love to get a response from you addressing your goals for this team, and to know that my voice was heard by I believe a great owner (I love the Caps, and what you have done). Get the Bullets/Wizards back on the map with a winning team! Also happy Belated Birthday!
Hire a consultant, like Hakeem Olajuwon for the bigs. Your coaching staff is designed to coach wings and point guards. If the consultant tells you that someone has the wrong attitude (Coach Flip included) then give them the axe. In 25 years of being an active fan, I’ve never given up on a sitting coach of a Washington team before. I think Flip Saunders is over rated (thanks to Kevin Garnett) and clearly not up to the task of this bunch. I think if you cut out Flip, you’ve got to cut out a “problem” player. Nick Young is the only guy giving you offense but if he doesn’t fit it could be him. If you ask me, the answer is that you cut Andray Blatche. A message needs to be sent. Don’t bother asking John Wall. In my mind, John Wall hasn’t done enough to make him untradeable. I’d shop John Wall. You won’t get anything for him so you probably won’t do a deal, but it will let the league know that anyone is fair game. I think you should probably ask Ernie Grunfeild how he’d like to depart because he should be gone by the end of the year. As interim head coach, I’d use Sam Cassell. At least with Sam, you’ll get a guy with some fire. If Sam isn’t up for it, I’m pretty sure that there are some local high school coaches that would do a better job than the current head coach.
One of two things is happening here….either the Wiz GM is a disaster or the ownership has made a decision to lose big time so you can be assured of a high lottery pick. Either choice means that you are burning your bridges with the fans, potential players in the future, and with the current young team who is learning many bad habits. I still maintain that this team needs a defensive, rebounding big man who can help change this losing culture. Singleton and Booker are playing ball….the rest of the team is a big question mark.
It’s worse than it appears: the teams that are 8-0 vs. the Wizards are 23-36 vs. the rest of the league.
All the same, this too shall pass! Birthdays, family, friends, and many successes outweigh the speed bump of the ’11-12 Wizards.
It seems like a nice thing to be born so early in the year — you look forward to *the year* and *your year* at once. Kind of cool. May 2012 be a great year for you, Ted. For all of us.
Ernie has done excellent jobs of assembling young athletic players. What Wizard needed is a new defensive minded coach such as Jerry Sloan, with great discipline in defense. Saunders is an offensive coach, his offense system is ball control oriented. It is not suitable for the young players of Wizard; the players think too much and end up hesitant in shooting.
Happy birthday Ted. Regarding the Wizards I’ll quote Bob Dylan, “Keep on keepin’ on”. To better days.
Happy belated birthday Ted. Sorry I missed out. I wish the Caps the best of luck this season, happy they have improved.
It’s really not that bad. But the GM has to be replaced. This is his mess so it’s just time. It will do know good at this point to replace the Coach, even though he should’ve never been hired to coach THIS team (or the one he inherited). This group would need a hard nosed type of coach to even begin to get it. And Coach Saunders is a great basketball mind just not suited for this bunch. So let’s change the GM and players (I know that ain’t ez).. and not make the Coach the scapegoat this time. Because it ain’t the Coaches fault here. But he does need to have a quick and I mean quick leash on the guys not producing!!
As a Wizards partial planholder,and big basketball fan, I am very amazed at how terrible this team has performed, in this season, so far. They are worse this season, so far, then last season. As with the steps that you all took with the Caps, Mr. Leonsis, it looks like Major changes are required for the Wizards. My evaluation is that Flip Saunders is not the right coach for this team, at this point in time – I believe he has lost his crediability with the players and the fans – starting with the Arenas fiasco, previously, up to now -he just doesn’t get the respect from the players, or seem to motivate the team to overcome and triumph when they are behind -point-wise; and I believe it is time for him to go. Also, there is just something that is not clicking with this Wizards team – if you sit at the games, like I do, up close (4th row), and watch, there doesn’t seem to be the teamwork or chemistry among the players, and something is definitely missing. It just doesn’t work in symmetry -their playing together – missed signals, missed communications -and they seem to be out-of step with each other.
I don’t envy your role as owner -because it seems like some hard – non-emotional decisions are going to have to be made, before this becomes the worst season of record for the Wizards, and the worst team in the NBA.
Thanks for taking the time to listen -thanks for answering my e-mails in the past – (Sorry for some stupid questions, in a meet & greet for the Wizards, that I asked you last year (last season) – I was very nervous, and you were very gracious).
As always, thanks for taking the time to seriously listen to the comments/advice from the fans, and making changes and improvements to enhance the experience of being a Wizards fan.
As a Wizards fan, this is to me, the most trying time that I have ever witnessed. I will be unwavering in support of the Wizards but I do dislike being the joke of the entire NBA. I am a proud fan and want to see a winner- Serious changes are needed. I certainly cant tell you how to spend your money Mr. Leonsis, but a return on your investment should be a priority from the entire organization. Happy Birthday.