Wizards in the Media Thread

[nate33]

Lots and lots of criticism of EJ from the players, "oh under the old system we did this, now it's much better." If I were Flip I would consider having a talk with the players and saying "you know, the past is the past. Lets focus on the future." Players need to forget about the 19 win season and getting over EJ as quickly as possible has to be part of it.

I think it's a matter of interpretation. It's not so much that the players are saying: "EJ sucked because we did this". It's more that they're saying: "I'm optimistic about this season because I think Flip's system better fits my skills.".

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Players got to do what they wanted under EJ. The same guys throwing him under the bus (Arenas, Butler, Jamison) were each shotjackers who played bad defense, and the system was only part of the problem. They were bad defenders who never met a shot they didn't like under Jordan.

They each played major minutes.

Funny thing is when all three were healthy, the team won games more often than not, bad defense and all, because the offense was very good. The main reason Jordan's not still the coach is because Arenas stayed injured and Caron couldn't avoid getting injured at playoff time.

These same guys are saying all the right things now about Flip's system, but if the team doesn't advance in the playoffs they'll be bitching about Flip and asking to be traded. I remember how much they "loved" EJ. (And am put off that they are badmouthing him now).

About the only things legit I've heard them say about EJ's teams is that they got off to slow starts each season, and that the defense left people open on the perimeter and also didn't bring help to the right spots. The stuff about coaches not talking to them, from people like Blatche (who conveniently doesn't mention his arrests and off the court behavior during his first couple seasons) bothers me.

I was really tired of EJs coaching and thought it was maybe beyond time for him to go since the team had tuned him out. However, the guys doing the talking on this team aren't above criticisms.

The guys I believe who have really thrown EJ under the bus are Arenas and Blatche.

Perhaps Jamison and Butler are just more optimistic about this system being better defensively.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Don't get me wrong, closq, and others; I do think Flip's going about things in a very smooth, intelligent way. Playbooks on ipods, intense and competitive practices, a defense that makes sense for the personnel that isn't "protect the paint" (but who cares about leaving open perimeter shooters)--all this is really good.

The players should be really happy this camp. They've got Gil and Brendan. Quality depth with Miller, Foye, and Oberto. Maturing players like Young and Blatche. A quality coaching staff. I always thought EJ didn't really have much help or was more of a one-man show beyond his old coach from college. Flip's got guys used to winning 50 games a year AND he's added Cassell.

I'm happy that the players are happy. I'm optimistic, too.

I just believe in being loyal and in good karma. They don't need to talk about EJ or the past. I agree with Zonker on this. Just let it go. (Remember, EJ had a lot of injuries to deal with and some pretty sorry, immature, personnel at times, too.)

Also, I wish they wouldn't be too cocky about the future, either. Just let their play do the talking.

[AceDegenerate]

lmao @ CCJ, this guy is just a grumpy old man. You spent forever wanting EJ gone, and now that he is and been replaced, you know what, maybe it was the players all along. Wow.

[DaRealHibachi]

lmao @ CCJ, this guy is just a grumpy old man. You spent forever wanting EJ gone, and now that he is and been replaced, you know what, maybe it was the players all along. Wow.

Say what you want, CCJ's right...

They should just leave the EJ era behind them and move on... Everyone knows EJ's faults, let's just be happy we aren't the one who have to deal with them anymore...

Good luck Philly...

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

lmao @ CCJ, this guy is just a grumpy old man. You spent forever wanting EJ gone, and now that he is and been replaced, you know what, maybe it was the players all along. Wow.

(In truth, I wasn't down with the Wizboard 5. I joined the ranks at 30 something wanting EJ gone. I thought he was unfair to Brendan and had begun not to take responsibility for the losses. That said, I've always thought EJ was a classy guy. Much more so than Gil or Andray. And Caron and Antawn should never criticize that guy, because I think they got way too much freedom under EJ. The only guy who has a right to bitch about EJ is Brendan.)

[JWizmentality]

lmao @ CCJ, this guy is just a grumpy old man. You spent forever wanting EJ gone, and now that he is and been replaced, you know what, maybe it was the players all along. Wow.

(In truth, I wasn't down with the Wizboard 5. I joined the ranks at 30 something wanting EJ gone. I thought he was unfair to Brendan and had begun not to take responsibility for the losses. That said, I've always thought EJ was a classy guy. Much more so than Gil or Andray. And Caron and Antawn should never criticize that guy, because I think they got way too much freedom under EJ. The only guy who has a right to bitch about EJ is Brendan.)

Here Here, I enjoy an EFJ beatdown as much as anyone, but the way the players have gone about it (the same ones who claim they would have taken a bullet for him a year ago) seems really two-faced. That said, I never questioned Eddie's personality. I think we can all agree he was a nice guy, but this team was going nowhere fast. He is a VERY inadequate coach with no accountability. I got so sick of hearing our defensive liabilities being explained as "My gosh, the other team was awfully hawt!"

[dandridge 10]

I'm with CCJ here. I was never a big EJ fan either, but to me the players seem to just be using him as a scapegoat, just like Arenas used management as a scapegoat for his lasting injury woes. Its fine to talk about how they like Saunders, I'm glad they do. But, some of their comments seem like petty pot shots, some of which are clearly false (like Arenas' comment that Jordan never asked him to be a leader).

[nate33]

Let's not take these comments out of context. If you look carefully at what Butler and Jamison said, they didn't really throw EJ under the bus. They're just finding something positive in the way Flip is doing things. And for the most part, Blatche has blamed himself and his lack of maturity more than anything else.

I'll cede that Arenas' leadership comments were unjustified. But I don't think anybody else is scapegoating EJ in a "twofaced" manner.

[Hoopalotta]

Well, from Saunders ala M.Lee on the Post: low 30's for Mr.Jammy as far as minutes per game and some ambiguity as to 'position'.



Sounds great to me and matches up with what a lot of folks have been calling for and/or predicting.
'Fresh legs come the playoffs' here we come. Hopefully this will spill over into Arenas and Butler as well with them offering an upswing in defense.

[montestewart]

Let's not take these comments out of context. If you look carefully at what Butler and Jamison said, they didn't really throw EJ under the bus. They're just finding something positive in the way Flip is doing things.

Along those lines:

We're just talking about how comfortable the guys are with [Saunders], after being with a great guy already in Eddie Jordan for so many years.

Butler quoted by Michael Lee http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/

[closg00]

Rosen on the SE Division, he picks Orlando to win-it easily.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/1020 ... als-return

[montestewart]

Rosen on the SE Division, he picks Orlando to win-it easily.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/1020 ... als-return

Rosen is inconsistent (what a surprise) in his appraisal of Haywood, here calling him a career underachiever, though he was complimentary of Haywood's game in 04-05 and again in 07-08, and even knocked Jordan at one point for not playing his best center more. Other than that, I can't really fault his analysis of any of the teams too much.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Rosen on the SE Division, he picks Orlando to win-it easily.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/1020 ... als-return

Having read Rosen's article, one blogger, "Peckorwoodkiller", gave the Wizards some love:

This divison will be won by the Wizards. Gilbert is healthy Brendan Haywood is Heathly. Forget about Blatche, Mcgee is going to have a break out year. Mark my words this kid has alot of potential. Maybe im reaching far saying the Wiz will win more then the Magic but the Wiz is going to be a solid team. Foye and Miller were great pick ups and Nick Young would be a star on another team. They should start him.

I'm thinking Rosen's analysis of the Wizards really isn't that far off at all.

Prognosis: They can't possibly be worse than last season's 19-win squad. But since they are only equipped to play offense, the best they can do is to win half of their games. Even so, their dynamic scoring will always make them dangerous opponents.

The way I see it is they're a dangerous opponent with tradeable assets, Haywood in a contract season, and a few young players that will be better than anticipated. Wizards are good health and one trade away from becoming a very dangerous team.

[dlts20]

Again, I dont think we need any trades to make us better. We will trade James and and try to trade others for cap releif but I dont think we need to make a real player trade. I could prove wrong as the season goes but I think we're setup for success. Like you said though, if we did need to get a piece then we definatly have some players that teams would like.

[dlts20]

Kamla has Gil rated as the #2 PG in fantasy and ahead of Williams. Most people Ive seen had Gil as a 3rd round pick at best and alot more people have him much lower. Kamla always loved him though so its cool to see him get some love

[jholmbe1]

Again, I dont think we need any trades to make us better. We will trade James and and try to trade others for cap releif but I dont think we need to make a real player trade. I could prove wrong as the season goes but I think we're setup for success. Like you said though, if we did need to get a piece then we definatly have some players that teams would like.

I do agree that we will probably trade James at the deadline but not for caproom. If we want to shed salary we will hold onto James since his contract is expiring.

[dlts20]

can anyone pull up the sporting news article that said we will win our Division?

[dobrojim]

ironic that the Post this morning ran a feature piece on Blatche
touting how he really is trying to change his ways. Then he comes
out with a stinker of a game last night vs DET. Good thing it was
an exhibition game and the team still won.

SI cover effect

[Hoopalotta]

Well, pretty darn soon J.A. 'uh-Dandy' is going to host some kind of Wizards chat on ESPN.

It seems this is a bad choice as Mr.uh-Dandy is something of the ESPN 'superstar beat writer' with articles like last year's "Will Lebro..., uh, the Cavs go undefeated on their way to the NBA finals?" article. I can't imagine he does anything but insult us as Hoi-Poloi also-rans.

Oh well, putting on the adamantium cod piece then.....