Post#678 » by payitforward » Fri Feb 1, 2013 1:12 am
The wicked problem we have is that the Wizards are not the business Ted Leonsis is in. His business is Monumental Sports.
Yes, Monumental owns the Wizards, but the incentives don't line up well, and it's to the detriment of the team. Ted's main goal is to raise revenues and insure adequate profitability for Monumental Sports, and you don't build to that goal the same way you build to a basketball-team goal of contending for a championship.
I think it was his concern about Monumental (keeping in mind as well that he has partners in that entity) which led to the "all in for .500" so-called "strategy." We can see how well that is (not) working.
As well, we can read in everything he says about what he's doing the distinction between "fans" (they want wins) and an unnamed other group (his partners? business people at large?) who grasp his intentions. Fans aren't equipped with the business acumen to understand him -- that's how it reads to me.
Ted makes an effort to come off as a humble guy despite his wealth. I think it's a sincere effort too. But I don't think he really understands himself. He's not humble; in fact, he's an incredible egotist. If he were humble, he'd back himself altogether out of his Wizards operation. He doesn't know the first thing about how to build a basketball team.
And, if he were humble, he'd bring in a current-generation GM. Instead, he thinks that if Ernie is following his "strategy" that suffices. No more skill is needed in his mind.
Finally, if he were humble, he wouldn't have his son heading up "advanced analytics" or "advanced statistics" or whatever it is; he'd have someone with a resume in the field. Again, he think there's nothing to this stuff and that he's been stymied by *chance* rather than by his and his FO's ineptitude.
We are in for a long unpleasant ride.
Breaking News: In a shocking development, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has sold the NBA franchise to a consortium of participants in a discussion board devoted to the team on realgm.com. Details to follow....