Countdown to Don Newman Being Named Interim Head Coach

Post #61 » by **miller31time** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 12:05 am

That's just insanity - 102/106 points from 3 or the paint for the Pistons. Coaching matters, folks. Coaching matters.

Induveca · Post #62 » by **Induveca** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 12:16 am

Wittman has lost these guys time to axe him....

fishercob · Post #63 » by **fishercob** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 2:47 am

Randy Wittman is Mark Jackson. Can the Wizards find their Steve Kerr?

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #64 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:41 am

Induveca wrote:Wittman has lost these guys time to axe him....

Need team building, off site discussion, independent consulting...whatever intervention possible.

Induveca, I would say Randy needs divine intervention to right this ship that be sinking.

I like Wittman. Ernie's the guy who I would like gone more. To me, I think let Randy Wittman have through the playoffs.

Same with EG. Let them both be dead men walking.

FAH1223 · Post #65 » by **FAH1223** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:22 pm

LeBron's biggest stalker says Wittman is going to be gone.

In fact, that same question of Wittman’s job security was brought up earlier Thursday on Kornheiser’s ESPN 980 program.

“Already in the NBA there are whispers coming down about Randy Wittman,” ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst said. “And Ted Leonsis is famous for his patience, and I suspect his patience will last. But already I’ve got people in the league talking about how that job is going to maybe be open after this year. And that is not a good situation. Now, he’s faced the pressure before and rallied back, but this is a different era for this Wizards team, as you well know Tony. There’s a major difference in the NBA when you flip the page to being a team of expectations as opposed to a team of potential. They were a team of potential last year; now they’re a team of expectations.”

The search for an explanation led Wilbon to an entirely different place.

“What about Sam Cassell?” he asked. “Is it possible those young guards, John Wall and Bradley Beal, miss an assistant coach who pushed them, who pushed the right buttons, who understood them, who had rings on his fingers? I think the Wizards miss Sam Cassell, and there’s nothing they can do about it, because he’s in L.A….Tony, they hit a wall. I hope the Wizards can bounce back, because they’re a good story this year.”

TNT’s Kenny Smith was the rare pundit to actually focus on Washington’s defensive shortcomings.

“They’re in a freefall right now,” he said on Comcast SportsNet’s SportsTalk Live. “After the all-star break and right before, I just thought that they haven’t really done the things that made them successful. And I thought it was a lot of ball movement and a lot of body movement, where now I see a lot of standing, especially on the defensive end.

“A lot of times we look at movement and body movement on the offensive end, but on the defensive end, trusting each other, you don’t see that as [much] as you did earlier in the season for some reason. And I don’t know what clicked off and why, that success that they had and they tasted, they’re not savoring to have more of. It seems like they became content.”
Meanwhile, on his radio show, Kornheiser zeroed in on Wall and Wittman.

“They are awful right now,” he said. “They’re in freefall. I cannot emphasize this enough. They lost to a terrible terrible team [Wednesday] night….There was that period of time about a quarter to a third through the season where all of the writers got really chesty about how great John Wall is, and they attacked people who didn’t say that John Wall was the greatest player in the Eastern Conference. They were in attack mode. People at The Washington Post did that, in attack mode.

“And now, what more people begin to realize if they watch these games, is that Wall is an okay shooter. He’s an average shooter. He’s not a great shooter. He’s okay. He’s an okay passer. But what his basic weapon is is speed. He can get to the rim all the time. He’s fabulous at converting layups and keeping you in the game. But in situations now, if that is his most basic weapon, speed, and nobody around him is doing anything or appears to be interested, that is negated by the rest of his team. And he hasn’t found a way, and he’s got his assists, but they’re not winning. Something is wrong there."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/02/27/tony-kornheiser-says-the-wizards-are-dissolving/?tid=sm_tw_ps

Sluggerface · Post #66 » by **Sluggerface** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 11:26 pm

FAH1223 wrote:LeBron's biggest stalker says Wittman is going to be gone.

In fact, that same question of Wittman’s job security was brought up earlier Thursday on Kornheiser’s ESPN 980 program.

“Already in the NBA there are whispers coming down about Randy Wittman,” ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst said. “And Ted Leonsis is famous for his patience, and I suspect his patience will last. But already I’ve got people in the league talking about how that job is going to maybe be open after this year. And that is not a good situation. Now, he’s faced the pressure before and rallied back, but this is a different era for this Wizards team, as you well know Tony. There’s a major difference in the NBA when you flip the page to being a team of expectations as opposed to a team of potential. They were a team of potential last year; now they’re a team of expectations.”

The search for an explanation led Wilbon to an entirely different place.

“What about Sam Cassell?” he asked. “Is it possible those young guards, John Wall and Bradley Beal, miss an assistant coach who pushed them, who pushed the right buttons, who understood them, who had rings on his fingers? I think the Wizards miss Sam Cassell, and there’s nothing they can do about it, because he’s in L.A….Tony, they hit a wall. I hope the Wizards can bounce back, because they’re a good story this year.”

TNT’s Kenny Smith was the rare pundit to actually focus on Washington’s defensive shortcomings.

“They’re in a freefall right now,” he said on Comcast SportsNet’s SportsTalk Live. “After the all-star break and right before, I just thought that they haven’t really done the things that made them successful. And I thought it was a lot of ball movement and a lot of body movement, where now I see a lot of standing, especially on the defensive end.

“A lot of times we look at movement and body movement on the offensive end, but on the defensive end, trusting each other, you don’t see that as [much] as you did earlier in the season for some reason. And I don’t know what clicked off and why, that success that they had and they tasted, they’re not savoring to have more of. It seems like they became content.”
Meanwhile, on his radio show, Kornheiser zeroed in on Wall and Wittman.

“They are awful right now,” he said. “They’re in freefall. I cannot emphasize this enough. They lost to a terrible terrible team [Wednesday] night….There was that period of time about a quarter to a third through the season where all of the writers got really chesty about how great John Wall is, and they attacked people who didn’t say that John Wall was the greatest player in the Eastern Conference. They were in attack mode. People at The Washington Post did that, in attack mode.

“And now, what more people begin to realize if they watch these games, is that Wall is an okay shooter. He’s an average shooter. He’s not a great shooter. He’s okay. He’s an okay passer. But what his basic weapon is is speed. He can get to the rim all the time. He’s fabulous at converting layups and keeping you in the game. But in situations now, if that is his most basic weapon, speed, and nobody around him is doing anything or appears to be interested, that is negated by the rest of his team. And he hasn’t found a way, and he’s got his assists, but they’re not winning. Something is wrong there."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/02/27/tony-kornheiser-says-the-wizards-are-dissolving/?tid=sm_tw_ps

Gotta leave it to TK for getting in his hot take on Wall. It's not like he was putting up ridiculous numbers playing on a bum ankle and with migraines in losing efforts. :roll:

TGW · Post #67 » by **TGW** » Sat Feb 28, 2015 12:31 am

Wall is an okay passer, huh? Whatever kornheiser...he needs to focus on being the next Roger Ebert, and stop talking about sports.

gambitx777 · Post #68 » by **gambitx777** » Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:12 pm

The fact is, wittman is not smart enough to be a HC, an AC sure, but not a HC. We have some guys hurt, our old guys are getting worn down because A. wittman is doing noting to preserve them and B. we don't have the depth to seriously rest them. Plus other teams are starting to figure us out! all of these problems can be overcome by a better HC. Randy is not creative enough. That's just fact. Promote Don Newman, or find away to get Sam back as you HC at somepoint, it should have been him over Wittman anyway! Hell bring in someone from College for all that goes just do something.

FAH1223 · Post #69 » by **FAH1223** » Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:32 pm

Don Newman: "I could do a better job than this guy"

diaboliQ_Mo · Post #70 » by **diaboliQ_Mo** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 3:07 am

I would say that only us missing the playoffs (sans a major injury to Wall) would give an impetus to Ted to can both Ernie and Randy. Not a good timing to fire GM this late in the season. Regarding Randy, Ted might pull a trigger if a HC change would ensue Wiz getting in the playoffs. Either way not a very happy situation.

AWIZZINGBULLET · Post #71 » by **AWIZZINGBULLET** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 1:22 pm

gambitx777 wrote:The fact is, wittman is not smart enough to be a HC, an AC sure, but not a HC. We have some guys hurt, our old guys are getting worn down because A. wittman is doing noting to preserve them and B. we don't have the depth to seriously rest them. Plus other teams are starting to figure us out! all of these problems can be overcome by a better HC. Randy is not creative enough. That's just fact. Promote Don Newman, or find away to get Sam back as you HC at somepoint, it should have been him over Wittman anyway! Hell bring in someone from College for all that goes just do something.

I wanted Shaka Smart to be given a shot a few years back.

AWIZZINGBULLET · Post #72 » by **AWIZZINGBULLET** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 1:24 pm

diaboliQ_Mo wrote:I would say that only us missing the playoffs (sans a major injury to Wall) would give an impetus to Ted to can both Ernie and Randy. Not a good timing to fire GM this late in the season. Regarding Randy, Ted might pull a trigger if a HC change would ensue Wiz getting in the playoffs. Either way not a very happy situation.

I think what happens in March could decide a lot. That's looking like a rough schedule.

gambitx777 · Post #73 » by **gambitx777** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 9:11 pm

If don Newman does not take over before the end of the season, what are our options in the off season?
Gary Williams, P. J. Carlesimo, Mike D'Antoni, Jeff Van Gundy, Scott Skiles, Avery Johnson, Mike Woodson, Sam Cassell ?

Post #74 » by **montestewart** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 10:03 pm

gambitx777 wrote:If don Newman does not take over before the end of the season, what are our options in the off season?
Gary Williams, P. J. Carlesimo, Mike D'Antoni, Jeff Van Gundy, Scott Skiles, Avery Johnson, Mike Woodson, Sam Cassell ?

I hate all those options, but if EG's involved, we'll probably get one of those retreads. Proven veteran, continuity, blah blah blah

Leonsis is proving to be an owner with a big ego and no vision, who's rapidly burned through his gratis goodwill to the point that he doesn't even have Pollin's distant past capital of four Finals and an NBA championship. Leonsis doesn't care about winning as much as filling seats and raising ticket prices, so he's in constant search for the veneer of a winner, something he can sell.

This team probably needs a younger GM and a younger coach, people who don't have a lot of baggage, aren't set in their ways, are open minded, etc. Ted, stop acting like the team just needs to get over the hump. It has serious problems that need innovative solutions, not festive colored band aids.

FAH1223 · Post #75 » by **FAH1223** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 10:12 pm

montestewart wrote:
gambitx777 wrote:If don Newman does not take over before the end of the season, what are our options in the off season?
Gary Williams, P. J. Carlesimo, Mike D'Antoni, Jeff Van Gundy, Scott Skiles, Avery Johnson, Mike Woodson, Sam Cassell ?

I hate all those options, but if EG's involved, we'll probably get one of those retreads. Proven veteran, continuity, blah blah blah

Leonsis is proving to be an owner with a big ego and no vision, who's rapidly burned through his gratis goodwill to the point that he doesn't even have Pollin's distant past capital of four Finals and an NBA championship. Leonsis doesn't care about winning as much as filling seats and raising ticket prices, so he's in constant search for the veneer of a winner, something he can sell.

This team probably needs a younger GM and a younger coach, people who don't have a lot of baggage, aren't set in their ways, are open minded, etc. Ted, stop acting like the team just needs to get over the hump. It has serious problems that need innovative solutions, not festive colored band aids.

Yup.

A young GM who hires a young coach like a Snyder, Stevens, Joerger, Spoelstra, etc from the lower ranks of assistant coaching or the D-League is my preference and what's needed to put some life into this damn franchise.

gambitx777 · Post #76 » by **gambitx777** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 11:13 pm

montestewart wrote:
gambitx777 wrote:If don Newman does not take over before the end of the season, what are our options in the off season?
Gary Williams, P. J. Carlesimo, Mike D'Antoni, Jeff Van Gundy, Scott Skiles, Avery Johnson, Mike Woodson, Sam Cassell ?

I hate all those options, but if EG's involved, we'll probably get one of those retreads. Proven veteran, continuity, blah blah blah

The fact is, all of those guys are more competent that Randy Wittman. Sure a young up and comer with a good head on his shoulders would be nice, hell hire a woman for all that goes! But at some point we just need someone who can run a winning team. Young and innovative would be nice. But seriously, let's just win games.

Induveca · Post #77 » by **Induveca** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 11:38 pm

Gary Williams.....if that were to happen I think I'd finally truly consider giving up after 20+ years.

Post #78 » by **Ruzious** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 11:51 pm

gambitx777 wrote:If don Newman does not take over before the end of the season, what are our options in the off season?
Gary Williams, P. J. Carlesimo, Mike D'Antoni, Jeff Van Gundy, Scott Skiles, Avery Johnson, Mike Woodson, Sam Cassell ?

Skiles is the only one of those I'd have an interest in. And for those who want Larry Sanders, Skiles is the only coach who got him to play well. Of course, Sanders was motivated by playing for a contract at the time.

nuposse04 · Post #79 » by **nuposse04** » Mon Mar 2, 2015 12:08 am

Ruzious wrote:
gambitx777 wrote:If don Newman does not take over before the end of the season, what are our options in the off season?
Gary Williams, P. J. Carlesimo, Mike D'Antoni, Jeff Van Gundy, Scott Skiles, Avery Johnson, Mike Woodson, Sam Cassell ?

Skiles is the only one of those I'd have an interest in. And for those who want Larry Sanders, Skiles is the only coach who got him to play well. Of course, Sanders was motivated by playing for a contract at the time.

Skiles was a bit before my understanding of basketball today. I knew he was a bit of a hard ass defensive minded coach, but was he more adept at running a competent offense and developing non lottery talent? I'd be looking at guys who are great in college ranks or top assistants in the league, but I have no clue who those may be. I wouldn't mind Gary Williams but i'm not sure if he is too old school like Randy either.

gambitx777 · Post #80 » by **gambitx777** » Mon Mar 2, 2015 12:11 am

Ruzious wrote:
gambitx777 wrote:If don Newman does not take over before the end of the season, what are our options in the off season?
Gary Williams, P. J. Carlesimo, Mike D'Antoni, Jeff Van Gundy, Scott Skiles, Avery Johnson, Mike Woodson, Sam Cassell ?

Skiles is the only one of those I'd have an interest in. And for those who want Larry Sanders, Skiles is the only coach who got him to play well. Of course, Sanders was motivated by playing for a contract at the time.

Gary Williams has shown interest in being the wizards HC before. That and he would still be worlds better than Wittman!
I think that D'Antoni and Skiles are solid HC who would fit well here,
Avery Johnson Deserves another chance and I think he would also be a decent fit.
Cassell would have the locker room.
Gundy, Carlesimo and Woodson are just better options than Wittman.
But, Don Newman would for sure be better than some of these guys as well.