Discuss Ernie Grunfeld's GM skills here (Part 2)

[FAH1223]

Coming in peace guys in advance of tonight's game. How do you feel about EG as the Wiz sit at 23-16?

I still think he's your biggest roadblock to ever being able to win the East.

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[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Coming in peace guys in advance of tonight's game. How do you feel about EG as the Wiz sit at 23-16?

I still think he's your biggest roadblock to ever being able to win the East.

Brock Lesnar said about one of his UFC opponents: "He's got a lucky horseshoe up his ass".

I will add to that ERNIE GRUNFELD has that horseshoe AND he is sitting on a very powerful magnet of job security.

Ernie Grunfeld has been fantastically mediocre. He has made some horrific moves with respect to the draft and contracts. Yet, he manages to make enough decent roster moves to keep this team over 40-something wins. He makes the owner feel very secure. Status quo is maintained and Ted Leonsis is not going to make any changes anytime soon.

This year the Wizards bench is 10 times better than it was last year. Grunfeld gets credit for that. Satoransky and Oubre are improving young basketball players. Fans of other teams on the outside looking in might say that Grunfeld has secured three young stars in John, Bradley, and Otto. That is the good. I'm trying to be objective...

I would give Ernie a grade of 68 out of 100. Probably a super nice guy.

Wait, on SECOND THOUGHT ... I would give Ernie a grade of 71 out of 100.

[closg00]

In an analytical piece about how the Golden State Warriors are using Jordan Bell as a small ball center, Jonathan Tjarks relays an anecdote about how the number of traditional bigs in the NBA will continue to decline.

"There’s a positive feedback loop happening with small ball: The more teams play it, the less valuable every traditional 5 in the league becomes," writes Tjarks. "I talked to one executive who thinks the number of big men in the NBA will be cut in half by 2020. Every team will soon be looking for its own version of Jordan Bell, if they aren’t already."

The Warriors acquired the draft rights to Bell from the Bulls, who fell to the second round.

"The irony is that Bell is exactly the type of big man those teams need against Golden State," writes Tjarks. "He wouldn’t be as successful with less offensive talent around him, but a player with his skill set is inherently valuable."

The Warriors have a net rating of +14.9 when Bell has played this season, which is the fourth best mark on the team

.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/248635/Exec-Number-Of-Big-Men-In-NBA-Could-Be-Cut-In-Half-By-2020

Haha, Ernie and the rest of the NBA getting owned and two-steps behind. Ernie loaded-up the front court with Morris, Smith, & Mahinmi as they sunset the aging Gortat, that takes some real genius-level GMing. GSW with the foresight to add to their riches on-the-cheap.

[gravytrain24]

Just looking at hoops rumors and noticed that every team as used both of there two way contracts as the deadline has passed except for one team. What is Ernie doing. You can easily look through all the G-league teams and two way one guy you think would help.

[FAH1223]

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For his part, Beal is done with the talking.

“We just need to win ballgames,” he said. “Like I told the guys, it doesn’t matter how many meetings we have. We can have a meeting after every game, but if we’re not mentally prepared for each game, we’re going to lose again.”

Wall holds a similar opinion. Players already had a chance to speak their minds, he said. And if games like the Charlotte loss happen again, then 14 guys sitting in a locker room will not be able to fix it. Wall extended his index finger to the ceiling and suggested the issue would have to be promoted to a higher power.

“Upstairs,” Wall said. “Front office got to figure it out.”

#FIREGRUNFELD

[FAH1223]

They miss the playoffs and this bastard has to go, right?

[gravytrain24]

They miss the playoffs and this bastard has to go, right?

You would think but Ted would actually have to care enough about the basketball team and it fans to fire him. (See NFL, Marvin Lewis)

[FAH1223]

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[lastemp3ror]

I think the reality of the situation is that Pollin on his dying bed told Leonsis that he wants Grunsfeld as the GM until he retires. Pollin was known to love people loyal to him and the team. Case in point is that ridiculous Arenas contract on one good leg. I really do think Leonsis is still carrying out the wishes of Pollin. Another example is not changing the name back to the Bullets. Anyhow that is my theory as to why someone with Grunsfeld's tenure can have such a horrible win percentage and still keep his job.

[queridiculo]

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There's a new big three in town!

[queridiculo]

I think the reality of the situation is that Pollin on his dying bed told Leonsis that he wants Grunsfeld as the GM until he retires. Pollin was known to love people loyal to him and the team. Case in point is that ridiculous Arenas contract on one good leg. I really do think Leonsis is still carrying out the wishes of Pollin. Another example is not changing the name back to the Bullets. Anyhow that is my theory as to why someone with Grunsfeld's tenure can have such a horrible win percentage and still keep his job.

You forgot that it was Pollin on his deathbed that made Grunfeld promise him to trade that lottery pick for Miller and Foye!

Aka, the hands11 theorem.

[BigA]

It's a thin line between genius and idiocy.

[Kanyewest]

I think the reality of the situation is that Pollin on his dying bed told Leonsis that he wants Grunsfeld as the GM until he retires. Pollin was known to love people loyal to him and the team. Case in point is that ridiculous Arenas contract on one good leg. I really do think Leonsis is still carrying out the wishes of Pollin. Another example is not changing the name back to the Bullets. Anyhow that is my theory as to why someone with Grunsfeld's tenure can have such a horrible win percentage and still keep his job.

You forgot that it was Pollin on his deathbed that made Grunfeld promise him to trade that lottery pick for Miller and Foye!

Aka, the hands11 theorem.

Pollin could have been responsible, didn't the move end up cutting payroll for a team that was in the luxury tax? Eihter way, it was a mess that EG created.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I feel like putting this on the general board. I must give Ernie Grunfeld his props. This roster is so much better than last year's it's unbelievable.

--Tim Frazier was a very good pickup

--Tomas Satoransky turns out he's a very good draft pick

--Mike Scott is an excellent pickup. Love the way he plays. Like a cross between Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

--Markieff Morris is a glue guy who fits this roster well. He plays with an edge.

--Jason Smith is a big body who stays involved. He's ready to play when called upon. Brings tremendous positive energy.

+ No longer will I foment bitterness regarding Ernie Grunfeld. The sweetness of the Wizards this past 4 games reveals a quality product.

[trast66]

I feel like putting this on the general board. I must give Ernie Grunfeld his props. This roster is so much better than last year's it's unbelievable.

--Tim Frazier was a very good pickup

--Tomas Satoransky turns out he's a very good draft pick

--Mike Scott is an excellent pickup. Love the way he plays. Like a cross between Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

--Markieff Morris is a glue guy who fits this roster well. He plays with an edge.

--Jason Smith is a big body who stays involved. He's ready to play when called upon. Brings tremendous positive energy.

+ No longer will I foment bitterness regarding Ernie Grunfeld. The sweetness of the Wizards this past 4 games reveals a quality product.

I'm very happy with the way we are playing, but no reason to absolve Ernie of the crimes he has committed against this fan base. Jason Smith! We will probably have to give up a highly protected first to just dump his salary.

Yes let's enjoy this team playing well,and that east is so bad we could maybe string together a couple of series wins if we don't run into Cle/Bos/Mia. I admire and share the positivity! But praising Ernie is a bridge I won't cross.

[nate33]

I feel like putting this on the general board. I must give Ernie Grunfeld his props. This roster is so much better than last year's it's unbelievable.

--Tim Frazier was a very good pickup

--Tomas Satoransky turns out he's a very good draft pick

--Mike Scott is an excellent pickup. Love the way he plays. Like a cross between Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

--Markieff Morris is a glue guy who fits this roster well. He plays with an edge.

--Jason Smith is a big body who stays involved. He's ready to play when called upon. Brings tremendous positive energy.

+ No longer will I foment bitterness regarding Ernie Grunfeld. The sweetness of the Wizards this past 4 games reveals a quality product.

I'm very happy with the way we are playing, but no reason to absolve Ernie of the crimes he has committed against this fan base. Jason Smith! We will probably have to give up a highly protected first to just dump his salary.

Yes let's enjoy this team playing well,and that east is so bad we could maybe string together a couple of series wins if we don't run into Cle/Bos/Mia. I admire and share the positivity! But praising Ernie is a bridge I won't cross.

There are only 4 players on this roster that I consider to be above-average acquisition based on the choices available at the time: Porter, Oubre, Sato and Scott. Everyone else was a no-brainer pick or an acquisition that we overpaid to acquire. That doesn't mean that they suck, it just means that it wasn't an example of great GMing. Most other GM's would have done better.

[closg00]

I feel like putting this on the general board. I must give Ernie Grunfeld his props. This roster is so much better than last year's it's unbelievable.

--Tim Frazier was a very good pickup

--Tomas Satoransky turns out he's a very good draft pick

--Mike Scott is an excellent pickup. Love the way he plays. Like a cross between Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

--Markieff Morris is a glue guy who fits this roster well. He plays with an edge.

--Jason Smith is a big body who stays involved. He's ready to play when called upon. Brings tremendous positive energy.

+ No longer will I foment bitterness regarding Ernie Grunfeld. The sweetness of the Wizards this past 4 games reveals a quality product.

I'm very happy with the way we are playing, but no reason to absolve Ernie of the crimes he has committed against this fan base. Jason Smith! We will probably have to give up a highly protected first to just dump his salary.

Yes let's enjoy this team playing well,and that east is so bad we could maybe string together a couple of series wins if we don't run into Cle/Bos/Mia. I admire and share the positivity! But praising Ernie is a bridge I won't cross.

Copy that, this is just the law of averages FINALLY working out for Ernie Grunfeld. Ernie did what he usually does which is rotate a new crop of bodies for the bench. Remember all the other times he did it, remember the summer of 2016 and before that?
Am I enjoying this run of good basketball? Hell yeah!

[Kanyewest]

I feel like putting this on the general board. I must give Ernie Grunfeld his props. This roster is so much better than last year's it's unbelievable.

--Tim Frazier was a very good pickup

--Tomas Satoransky turns out he's a very good draft pick

--Mike Scott is an excellent pickup. Love the way he plays. Like a cross between Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

--Markieff Morris is a glue guy who fits this roster well. He plays with an edge.

--Jason Smith is a big body who stays involved. He's ready to play when called upon. Brings tremendous positive energy.

+ No longer will I foment bitterness regarding Ernie Grunfeld. The sweetness of the Wizards this past 4 games reveals a quality product.

I'm very happy with the way we are playing, but no reason to absolve Ernie of the crimes he has committed against this fan base. Jason Smith! We will probably have to give up a highly protected first to just dump his salary.

Yes let's enjoy this team playing well,and that east is so bad we could maybe string together a couple of series wins if we don't run into Cle/Bos/Mia. I admire and share the positivity! But praising Ernie is a bridge I won't cross.

There are only 4 players on this roster that I consider to be above-average acquisition based on the choices available at the time: Porter, Oubre, Sato and Scott. Everyone else was a no-brainer pick or an acquisition that we overpaid to acquire. That doesn't mean that they suck, it just means that it wasn't an example of great GMing. Most other GM's would have done better.

Now I'm curious how many teams have more than 4 players and if many have less. From a quick glance teams like the Warriors, Celtics, and Rockets have at least 5. I'm not sure if I can say the same about the Hornets, Cavs, Pistons, and Pacers. Then there are teams like the Lakers which have at least 5 but have seriously missed on some of their lottery picks.

BTW, this may the first time in a while that EG has had 4 such players at the same time.

[payitforward]

...it was Pollin on his deathbed that made Grunfeld promise him to trade that lottery pick for Miller and Foye!...

I keep reading this over the years, & of course it can't be true. Pollin didn't make any player decisions.

Now, what no doubt is true is that Pollin directed Grunfeld to load up for one last try to do really well w/ veterans before he (Pollin) retired & consummated the sale of the team to Loonysis. But, who Ernie targeted & what the deal was -- all that is on Ernie & no one else.

Unless you think the 80+ year old Pollin was out doing player evaluation -- obviously not!

[nate33]

...it was Pollin on his deathbed that made Grunfeld promise him to trade that lottery pick for Miller and Foye!...

I keep reading this over the years, & of course it can't be true. Pollin didn't make any player decisions.

Now, what no doubt is true is that Pollin directed Grunfeld to load up for one last try to do really well w/ veterans before he (Pollin) retired & consummated the sale of the team to Loonysis. But, who Ernie targeted & what the deal was -- all that is on Ernie & no one else.

Unless you think the 80+ year old Pollin was out doing player evaluation -- obviously not!

Right. I can buy the notion that Pollin told EG that he wasn't interested in a long rebuild, but that's not the same thing as instructing him to trade the #6 pick for Mike Miller and Randy Foye, both on expiring contracts. That's still the second dumbest trade in Wizards' history. (The dumbest being Webber for Richmond + Thorpe.)