Below is what should happen before Caron or anybody else gets traded.
MJG wrote:I'd be shocked if there weren't locker room issues. This was supposed to be our all-in year: everyone back from injury, added a highly thought of coach, loaded up with veterans in their primes, young talent on the verge of being regular contributors, unmatched depth, etc. A few weeks in, and nothing has gone well. Half the team has gotten hurt. Most of the younger players have shown nothing worthwhile in their limited chances. Several veterans are playing worse than we need them to. The team was probably hoping to be a dark horse contender, and at the very least, to be in the thick of things for home court advantage. Instead, we've been one of the three or four worst teams for the season's opening month.
Compounding the matter is that it is hard to see the way out. Arguably our two best players so far, Miller and Haywood, are free agents, and it's unlikely either will give us preferential treatment out on the market. Foye, our other big acquisition, looks like a bust who may not even be worth hanging on to past the season. None of our young players look primed to bust out in the short term, and only one of them (McGee) really gives even the slightest rays of hope for busting out in the long term. Arenas has looked relatively solid in his return, but there is a wide chasm between "relatively solid" and "maximum contract". Butler's awfulness has been well-documented; he could shake it off, but what if his career is just starting its downward slide? Jamison has looked rock steady as usual, but even the silver lining of his return comes with its black cloud, as it has completely neutered all the early season positivity generated Blatche, the one and only upward trend we had going.
I think I'd be in a foul mood too if I were on the team.
Great synopsis on everything that's going on. Early expectations have not been met and it's hard to see a way out. Of course foul moods exist.
The way out? I think of the expression "How do you eat an elephant?" One bite at a time.
First, the Wizards need to become a tight, together, cohesive team on the same page. It's not possible for Flip to meet everybody's selfish agendas but it is possible to keep team goals first and to address each player with dignity and respect. For the short run, playing a much deeper bench and limiting the minutes of guys who are playing 36 minutes or more is one way to accomplish it. Instead of deciding on using 8 players over all 240 minutes, think about using 10 or 11 players, with two or three getting token minutes. This part is simply stated Play Young and McGee and McGuire, too. Give them minutes that have been going to Arenas, Butler, Stevenson, and Oberto. I think having positive energy on the bench will ensue.
Second, shift the paradigm to include Blatche as a fixture at PF. Instead of giving the guy token minutes as a backup C only; and at the same time excluding McGee altogether as the third C; Blatche should get 15-20 minutes at least at PF and another 5-10 at C. That means Jamison must play some SF. Maybe let Butler play some SG. Andray's effectve at PF with Brendan at C. Don't undo what is working--Blatche shouldn't become an afterthought with Antawn back. Consider 10 minutes less of Butler/Jamison. The Wizards need size to defend and rebound, and they need to try Blatche at PF regularly.
Third, use McGee and Young much more. Nick can score. He's doing it in practice. Javale can sky and score. Don't expect veteran composure from either guy. Just have Haywood or Blatche on the court with these two players. I'd also maximize the minutes Foye is on the court with Javale--they have great chemistry. As for Nick, Eddie Jordan used Juan Dixon extremely effectively about three years ago. He rode him when he was hot. Nick needs to shoot 3 or so shots. If he's on, ride him. If not, park him on the bench. But I'd make sure he's playing a little every game. (10 mins would be great). Get these guys involved. As for Javale, he's a much better offensive player than defensive. he's got the skill to play some PF--he should be used with Blatche or Haywood in the game and not as the defensive C if the other team has post scorers. McGee is a spark player who can score and block shots! He's better than Oberto most of the time.
Fourth, address the lack of court awareness and leadership by Gilbert Arenas. Chris Paul is the best PG in the game IMO. He got injured. Funny thing happened. Darren Collison stepped right in and the Hornets have won something like three games. How? Collison's a good leader and a decent player in his own right! Similar story with Eric Maynor winning a game for Utah. What Washington should do when Gilbert's really struggling is SO SIMPLE. Sit his ass on the bench and play Boykins. If he's not forcing things and making good decisions, roll with him. If he falters, see if Foye's ankle's good. Gil needs to have a 25 minute game here and there and to maybe watch some of the fourth the way he's been playing. It would humble him and keep his legs fresher. Who cares if it pisses him off. He's getting paid a ton. Bottom line is give him every opportunity to become Zero Hero, or Agent Zero, or Hibachi; but most of all give the team a chance to win without ego getting in the way.
Anyhow, I think the single biggest thing to do now is to put those four things and the game plan in perspective. The team is 3-9 but maybe everybody expected them to be 5-7 or 6-6 and playing much better. WE'RE ONLY 3 WINS OFF THE PACE! Forget everything that has happened and just believe it's all going to be okay.
If Flip changes the dynamics from negativitiy to positivity, and if he gets everybody involved like I suggested above, and if he gets the young athletes going; MJG-- that's the way out.
Magnumt