Countdown to Ernie Grunfeld Firing

[montestewart]

I look forward to a day when someone's children won't have the need for this thread.

A time when Grunfeld is nothing more than a tale parents tell to make their children behave.

"Eat your spinach or the Grunfeld will make another trade."

[TGW]

I look forward to a day when someone's children won't have the need for this thread.

A time when Grunfeld is nothing more than a tale parents tell to make their children behave.

"Eat your spinach or the Grunfeld will make another trade."

[closg00]

I look forward to a day when someone's children won't have the need for this thread.

A time when Grunfeld is nothing more than a tale parents tell to make their children behave.

"Eat your spinach or the Grunfeld will make another trade."

[payitforward]

I look forward to a day when someone's children won't have the need for this thread.

A time when Grunfeld is nothing more than a tale parents tell to make their children behave.

"Eat your spinach or the Grunfeld will make another trade."

HOF post!!

[doclinkin]

^^^^ so mote it be.

[FAH1223]

So is the only way Ernie gets canned is if this team gets in the lottery?

A 4-0 sweep at the hands of Miami in the 1st round makes him get another 2 year contract, right?

[closg00]

So is the only way Ernie gets canned is if this team gets in the lottery?

A 4-0 sweep at the hands of Miami in the 1st round makes him get another 2 year contract, right?

Sometime between Wall's new contract and the start of the season, Ted will declare that the Wizards are heading in the right direction and Easy Ernie himself will have a new contract.

[FAH1223]

Sometime between Wall's new contract and the start of the season, Ted will declare that the Wizards are heading in the right direction and Easy Ernie himself will have a new contract.

[montestewart]

So is the only way Ernie gets canned is if this team gets in the lottery?

I think a gutsy run for 9th seed says "You don't switch horses on the Titanic."

[payitforward]

So is the only way Ernie gets canned is if this team gets in the lottery?

I think a gutsy run for 9th seed says "You don't switch horses on the Titanic."

Some people don't understand how important continuity is.

Once you finally achieve continuity, all you have left to do is flip the switch from continually bad to continually good.

[Kanyewest]

So is the only way Ernie gets canned is if this team gets in the lottery?

A 4-0 sweep at the hands of Miami in the 1st round makes him get another 2 year contract, right?

A John Wall injury could give EG a "second chance". Or 3rd or 4th?

[hands11]

Wow.

I hadn't given much thought to EG getting extended or not and what it would take this year.

I think in part, Ted is judging him based on how he is executing his plan. If Ted thinks he is executing well, then I think that would count for a lot. I don't think injuries would affect that. There is lots Ted can see that we can't regarding how things are organized and how they are executed.

Webster seems to really like the franchise. Beal seems happy. Blair said he was interested in coming here, right ? While Webster and Blair aren't the biggest names out there, its a sign things are getting better.

Now what would an extension look like ? Another two years ? Hard to see him getting one year or more then two.

[hands11]

@daldridgetnt

No early outs in Wall deal--straight five years, $80M. Owner Ted Leonsis pushed to get deal done, just as he extended Caps' Ovechkin early..




Words can't explain how blessed and happy I am! I want to thank my owner Mr Ted Leonsis, GM Ernie Grunfeld and the whole @WashWizards staff!
5:27 PM - 31 Jul 2013

[closg00]

Ernie will need another year or two to see what he can do with the Okariza expirings and cap space. One year as a playoff team, then a reset. Can't wait for the resigning presser.

[LyricalRico]

Ernie will need another year or two to see what he can do with the Okariza expirings and cap space. One year as a playoff team, then a reset. Can't wait for the resigning presser.

Yep, if we make the playoffs he's sticking around for a while, as any GM in that position probably would.

[Dat2U]

Only one question remains, does Ernie get extended before the season starts or does he enter the final year of his deal under lame duck status?

Does Teddy reward Ernie for all of his work without seeing the results or does he leave Ernie & the entire front office spinning in the wind until we actually see what this team can do? I hope it's at least the latter but I'm afraid Ted may be ready to claim victory and reward Ernie before the Wizards ever step on the court next season.

[tontoz]

Ernie will need another year or two to see what he can do with the Okariza expirings and cap space. One year as a playoff team, then a reset. Can't wait for the resigning presser.

Yep, if we make the playoffs he's sticking around for a while, as any GM in that position probably would.

No GM with EG's record would still have a job, nor should they.

[Ruzious]

Only one question remains, does Ernie get extended before the season starts or does he enter the final year of his deal under lame duck status?

Does Teddy reward Ernie for all of his work without seeing the results or does he leave Ernie & the entire front office spinning in the wind until we actually see what this team can do? I hope it's at least the latter but I'm afraid Ted may be ready to claim victory and reward Ernie before the Wizards ever step on the court next season.

Ernie certainly worked hard the last 2 weeks negotiating Wall's contract. That was some serious negotiating - back and forth and such. Yessireebob. And he didn't just settle on the first PG he could think of and over-pay before going on his semi-monthly 2 week vacation. The man is a workaholic and a master strateegerist - and has been an inspiration to the entire organization - leading it to untold sucksess.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Only one question remains, does Ernie get extended before the season starts or does he enter the final year of his deal under lame duck status?

Does Teddy reward Ernie for all of his work without seeing the results or does he leave Ernie & the entire front office spinning in the wind until we actually see what this team can do? I hope it's at least the latter but I'm afraid Ted may be ready to claim victory and reward Ernie before the Wizards ever step on the court next season.

Other organizations that should reward their GM:

--GS for example, fired Keith Smart, dipped down to 23 wins under Jackson in year one but with a very young lineup, but they doubled their wins the next season. Seth Curry had a pretty nice run in the playoffs.

--Houston gutted their team and emerged with James Harden and now Dwight Howard. They rebuilt brilliantly.

--Brooklyn managed to snag a couple HOFers to go along with Lopez and Deron Williams.

--Atlanta added Millsap at a bargain, after drafting a couple of studs, Nogueira and Schroeder. Their team payroll is much less than the Wizards. (Cap guys, you know better than I).

And, there's the Wizards ....

Last year was a year where Webster exceeded expectations greatly. Beal found his shot. Wall had a tremendous March, where he hit 10-22 threes. (Check the other months' three point shooting for Wall). He played with confidence. Okafor bounced back and played better than he has in years. Ariza's a solid player. The Wizards added length and rangy perimeter players who defend the three and who hit the three. Washington went years without having any players defend like Temple is capable of doing. Wall got a lot better defensively (even though some guys still gave him fits). LAST SEASON EG's moves generally worked out well. Wittman has been a better coach than Flip Saunders. Last year the Wizards got much better defensively, and Wall matured under Randy Wittman. Health seemed to be the only drawback.

Oh, but I have a sick feeling about last year's positive moves. I can't stand this GM. I think if he stays this team will peak at the 45-48 win mark the could achieve this season. The young backcourt is solid but the front court needs shaking up. Okafor is in a contract year, as is Ariza. Nene's health is tenuous. It's hard to feel great about the long term, even if the wins should have a sharp up turn this season. One injury to Wall changes things. Same with Okafor and Nene.

We shall see what happens. I expect an EG contract just like Wall just got his fat contract -- before the wins.

Ted Leonsis rewarded Wall before the fact and I think he won't even wait for the playoff run that foreseeably should occur.

[Nivek]

Only one question remains, does Ernie get extended before the season starts or does he enter the final year of his deal under lame duck status?

Does Teddy reward Ernie for all of his work without seeing the results or does he leave Ernie & the entire front office spinning in the wind until we actually see what this team can do? I hope it's at least the latter but I'm afraid Ted may be ready to claim victory and reward Ernie before the Wizards ever step on the court next season.

Ernie certainly worked hard the last 2 weeks negotiating Wall's contract. That was some serious negotiating - back and forth and such. Yessireebob. And he didn't just settle on the first PG he could think of and over-pay before going on his semi-monthly 2 week vacation. The man is a workaholic and a master strateegerist - and has been an inspiration to the entire organization - leading it to untold sucksess.

The negotiations went something like this:

ERNIE: John, we'd like to offer you the maximum salary on a 5-year contract.

WALL: I don't know. I deserve it...

LEONSIS: You've certainly earned it!

DAN FEGAN: Don't interrupt.

LEONSIS AND ERNIE (in unison): Yes sir.

WALL: As I was saying... Obviously I deserve a maximum deal, but to stay with the Wizards? (looks at Fegan) Can't you do any better?

FEGAN: John, this is the most they can pay you. It's the most anyone can pay you.

WALL (sighing): I should have hired Falk.

ERNIE: Please sign the contract.

LEONSIS: PLEASE! We'll market you as the leader of our next big three. That worked so well last time.

WALL glances out the window as Ernie checks his watch.

ERNIE (whispers to LEONSIS): This is taking longer than I thought. I have a massage...

LEONSIS drops to his knees. ERNIE joins him on the floor. They shower Wall's feet with kisses.

ERNIE and LEONSIS: Please sign. Please oh please oh please oh please...

WALL kicks them away and stands.

WALL: Fine. I'll sign.