Who should be the next GM of the Washington Wizards?

[jmrosenth]

I like Ernie Grunfeld, but he frankly should be embarrassed for this roster he's put together. Outside of Wall, there is a very little to get excited about, and even Wall is losing his luster quickly, although who wouldn't playing with this cast of characters. Leonsis really needs to clean house and start from scratch, and I mean everyone. Not just the GM and coaching staff, but the entire scouting department, the training and conditioning staff, and doctors. Everyone. I have never been as disgruntled as a lifelong Wizards fan, and that's really really saying something.

[montestewart]

I like Ernie Grunfeld, but he frankly should be embarrassed for this roster he's put together. Outside of Wall, there is a very little to get excited about, and even Wall is losing his luster quickly, although who wouldn't playing with this cast of characters. Leonsis really needs to clean house and start from scratch, and I mean everyone. Not just the GM and coaching staff, but the entire scouting department, the training and conditioning staff, and doctors. Everyone. I have never been as disgruntled as a lifelong Wizards fan, and that's really really saying something.

You're not alone

[mohammed10]

I like Ernie Grunfeld, but he frankly should be embarrassed for this roster he's put together. Outside of Wall, there is a very little to get excited about, and even Wall is losing his luster quickly, although who wouldn't playing with this cast of characters. Leonsis really needs to clean house and start from scratch, and I mean everyone. Not just the GM and coaching staff, but the entire scouting department, the training and conditioning staff, and doctors. Everyone. I have never been as disgruntled as a lifelong Wizards fan, and that's really really saying something.

You're not alone

Umm...count me in, but then again, I created this thread

[mohammed10]

After today's debacle, this is getting bumped again...

[nate33]

I like Ernie Grunfeld, but he frankly should be embarrassed for this roster he's put together. Outside of Wall, there is a very little to get excited about, and even Wall is losing his luster quickly, although who wouldn't playing with this cast of characters. Leonsis really needs to clean house and start from scratch, and I mean everyone. Not just the GM and coaching staff, but the entire scouting department, the training and conditioning staff, and doctors. Everyone. I have never been as disgruntled as a lifelong Wizards fan, and that's really really saying something.

This would actually be an ideal time to hire a new GM. It would be difficult to make things any worse. The GM has no where to go but up. It's also early enough in the college season for the GM to take over the scouting program and handle next year's draft.

[closg00]

I would wager that top GM candidates like Pritchard, are constantly reading and reviewing game footage to stay on-top of things. The next phone-call they get could be from an interested owner.

[Nivek]

I guarantee Pritchard is hard at work evaluating basketball talent and staying abreast of developments in the league and in college ball. He's currently the Director of Player Personnel for the Pacers.

[Ruzious]

I like Ernie Grunfeld, but he frankly should be embarrassed for this roster he's put together. Outside of Wall, there is a very little to get excited about, and even Wall is losing his luster quickly, although who wouldn't playing with this cast of characters. Leonsis really needs to clean house and start from scratch, and I mean everyone. Not just the GM and coaching staff, but the entire scouting department, the training and conditioning staff, and doctors. Everyone. I have never been as disgruntled as a lifelong Wizards fan, and that's really really saying something.

This would actually be an ideal time to hire a new GM. It would be difficult to make things any worse. The GM has no where to go but up. It's also early enough in the college season for the GM to take over the scouting program and handle next year's draft.

Not to mention, a new GM wouldn't be beholden to any player on the roster, so theoretically he'd be more objective and not concerned about keeping players that he drafted or traded for. For all we know, the Wiz might have a trade offer on the table now that makes sense - but EG is hesitant because he wants to be proven right on his previous move.

[jmrosenth]

I like Ernie Grunfeld, but he frankly should be embarrassed for this roster he's put together. Outside of Wall, there is a very little to get excited about, and even Wall is losing his luster quickly, although who wouldn't playing with this cast of characters. Leonsis really needs to clean house and start from scratch, and I mean everyone. Not just the GM and coaching staff, but the entire scouting department, the training and conditioning staff, and doctors. Everyone. I have never been as disgruntled as a lifelong Wizards fan, and that's really really saying something.

This would actually be an ideal time to hire a new GM. It would be difficult to make things any worse. The GM has no where to go but up. It's also early enough in the college season for the GM to take over the scouting program and handle next year's draft.

Not to mention, a new GM wouldn't be beholden to any player on the roster, so theoretically he'd be more objective and not concerned about keeping players that he drafted or traded for. For all we know, the Wiz might have a trade offer on the table now that makes sense - but EG is hesitant because he wants to be proven right on his previous move.

Good point. Perhaps our saving grace this season is that this is the last year of EG's contract? Will he try and throw a Hail Mary pass before the trade deadline? Leonsis may not let him.

[Jay81]

I was very frustrated today. I tweeted Ted and Michael Lee...i need some answers

http://twitter.com/#!/jhatem

[mohammed10]

Just stirring the pot a little more...

In today's WaPo

Wizards need to part with Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee and Nick Young

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wi ... story.html

[closg00]

The article was OUTRAGOUS, Reid's ass is going to be crispy.

This is yet another article that puts the blame squarely on the players shoulders. The article appears to have been Ghost-written by Ernie Grunfeld himself.

This is horrible journalism and Reid doesn't know crap about the Wizards.

[mohammed10]

The article was OUTRAGOUS, Reid's ass is going to be crispy.

This is yet another article that puts the blame squarely on the players shoulders. The article appears to have been Ghost-written by Ernie Grunfeld himself.

This is horrible journalism and Reid doesn't know crap about the Wizards.

closg- Wow, tell us how you really feel. jk

[keynote]

This is yet another article that puts the blame squarely on the players shoulders. The article appears to have been Ghost-written by Ernie Grunfeld himself.

Okay, I'll bite. How is a column calling out the Wizards for keeping three knuckleheads on the roster *not* a direct criticism of the GM who drafted all three players?

[closg00]

This is yet another article that puts the blame squarely on the players shoulders. The article appears to have been Ghost-written by Ernie Grunfeld himself.

Okay, I'll bite. How is a column calling out the Wizards for keeping three knuckleheads on the roster *not* a direct criticism of the GM who drafted all three players?

Because the Wizards problems and solution are identified as being caused by three players.

This passage sums-up Reids brillance:

Granted, dumping three core players, none of whom has turned 27, would be difficult for any owner. Typically, that’s not how things are done in professional sports. The Wizards’ bleak situation, however, requires bold action. Beginning anew next season without three current high-profile starters who don’t get it, and probably never will, would be just that.

Notice something? The removal of a bad-match coach in Flip Saunders & the "Architect" Ernie Grunfeld, is not part of the discussion when it comes to "Bold Action" for fixing the team. No discussion of the fact that Ted Leonsis has made Zero organizational changes since he took-over - except perhaps a more aggressive marketing and Public Relations strategy for building through the draft.

Except the dumping of Andray Blatche, and organizations shake-up is needed FIRST before talent is shipped out of here.

[Nivek]

I'll give Reid a 20 out of 100 for that column. He's absolutely correct that Blatche needs to. He's wrong that Young NEEDS to go. He can stay or go -- it won't make a bit of difference long-term. He's also wrong that McGee NEEDS to go. McGee needs to improve, but there's no rush to dump him. He doesn't have a bad attitude, he appears to be working and playing hard. Let the season play out. So, that's 1/3.

But, Reid doesn't address the reality that Washington also needs to change the GM and the coach. So, 0/2 there. That leaves me at 1/5 -- 20%. F.

[Induveca]

I'll give Reid a 20 out of 100 for that column. He's absolutely correct that Blatche needs to. He's wrong that Young NEEDS to go. He can stay or go -- it won't make a bit of difference long-term. He's also wrong that McGee NEEDS to go. McGee needs to improve, but there's no rush to dump him. He doesn't have a bad attitude, he appears to be working and playing hard. Let the season play out. So, that's 1/3.

But, Reid doesn't address the reality that Washington also needs to change the GM and the coach. So, 0/2 there. That leaves me at 1/5 -- 20%. F.

Happy to see you've come around to the necessity of axing Grunfeld and Sauders. Flip does assist in personnel decisions.....guessing that realization helped you along.

To me, it was quite obvious halfway through last season. EG/Saunders were desperately reaching for the cheap solutions......and NONE of them panned out.

Larry Owens, Othyus Jeffers, Mike Wilks, Cartier Martin, Mustafa Shakur, Lester Hudson.....I'm sure the list is a few short even. Waste of time and (albeit very little...) money.

[TGW]

Ernie Grunfeld is one weird talent evaluator.

If you draft John Wall, who's biggest weakness is shooting, why not grab as many shooters as possible? Make the kid's transition easy so that too much isn't lumped on his shoulders. Getting some cheap, reliable players that can spread the floor would at least give him a better opportunity to attack the basket, which is what he does best. Instead, we draft a group of guys who can't shoot themselves.

Makes little sense to me.

[Nivek]

Happy to see you've come around to the necessity of axing Grunfeld and Sauders. Flip does assist in personnel decisions.....guessing that realization helped you along.

Where have you been? Is this thing on? I've been down with firing Flip basically all season. I would have been okay with firing him last season. As I've posted a number of times -- I wouldn't have hired him in the first place. I wanted Joerger.

My "defense" of Flip hasn't really much to do with Flip, but with the "reasoning" people are using to want him fired. I don't think firing Flip will make a bit of difference with this group of players, but I'd rather have the up-and-coming coach in place for the influx of young talent (hopefully) over the next couple years.

As for Ernie, I've long wanted someone more like Presti or Morey as GM. Ernie has his pluses -- he's not comprised entirely of deficits. But I think it's clear that his time has passed.

To me, it was quite obvious halfway through last season. EG/Saunders were desperately reaching for the cheap solutions......and NONE of them panned out.

Larry Owens, Othyus Jeffers, Mike Wilks, Cartier Martin, Mustafa Shakur, Lester Hudson.....I'm sure the list is a few short even. Waste of time and (albeit very little...) money.

Most of these were in-season pickups, which are by definition going to be on the cheap. And, they weren't supposed to be "solutions" -- they were basically roster filler and "maybe this guy will show enough to be a 10th or 11th man sometime in the future" signings.

This was the first offseason where they've had any cap room, and there really wasn't anyone worth spending on. Here's the thing: If you're gonna suck, might as well do it on the cheap. Being expensive and sucking is worse. Especially if you're tied to a sucky player who's mediocre or worse. See Blatche, Andray. At least they haven't done anything to screw up future cap room. Yet.

[fishercob]

Hey Nate--wasn't Blatche extended after the rebuild started? I'd say that's an indictment of Ernie's lack of foresight.

The board was nearly unanimous in praising EG for that extension. Blatche looked like the best player on the team at the time. Everyone thought he had turned the corner. (I believe Nivek might have been the sole holdout, to his credit.) I'm not going to bash EG too hard over something that nearly everyone on this board agreed with at the time.

Reposting from the FLip got fired thread:

See, in an ideal world there would be a wide knowledge gap between fans -- even passionate and/or dorky ones -- and the general manager. The fact that you and I liked the Blatche extension doesn't excuse Ernie from it. Nivek is very bright for sure, but he's got kids and a fulltime job. He doesn't have anything close to the resources at his disposal that Ernie and co do.

The Blatche extension is emblematic of the fact that this organization, under Ernie's leadership, is looking at the wrong things -- if you even want to call them metrics -- when evaluating talents. I want us to be the Moneyballers, when the sad reality is that we have been the suckers that the MOneyballers (Marc Cuban, David Kahn) have exploited.

I believe in Ted. That belief will be strengthened if her replaces Ernie with someone cut from the Morey/Presti cloth. That belief will be deeply shaken if Ernie is retained past this year, or if he's replaced with another former player with a limited business/analytics background.