Arenas Traded for Rashard Lewis

507Mack · Post #81 » by **507Mack** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:07 pm

Can I be the guy who defends Shart? I get that he's overpaid, and I get that his numbers suck, but we have to remember that he is in Orlando where he was relegated to the 3rd, sometimes 4th option on offense. Van Gundy's system turned him into a spot up shooter and didnt utilize his other strengths because they so desperately want D Howard to turn into some credible low post threat. I liken it to how LeBron ruined Larry Hughes, Mo Williams, and other players by turning them into spot up shooters that simply watch all the time.

I remember him in Seattle being pretty good. I admit that was years ago, but I'm trying to make lemonade here. I think we can all agree that:

1) Gil had to go
2) No one else wanted to take on Gil's contract
3) Rashard Lewis at least balances out our team a little, instead of being so guard-heavy.
4) He isn't the poison that is Vince Carter
5) Shart needs to use Proactiv

GilArenas88 · Post #82 » by **GilArenas88** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:07 pm

An era is over here in Washington, Grunfeld needs to go to make it complete. I've usually been in his corner, but he had his chance, time for a new direction.

As for Gil, wish him nothing but the best. Call me melodramatic if you want, but I'll always feel an emptiness in regard to the Wizards to what happened to Arenas. He was on the verge of becoming a superstar, or close to it, had it not been for one fateful night. Just thinking about the Gerald Wallace incident, the multiple rehabs, and the gun situation, just makes me sad. Gil was always a good guy, you couldn't help but root for him with his past, now thats gone. I guess this is a little harder for me because I started to follow the Wizards the year Arenas came here, so in some sappy way, its losing something I had always identified with the Wizards. I guess I'm happy Gil has a chance to be part of something really meaningful, I'll never root against the guy. Good luck Arenas, hope to see your "0" jersey retired at some point.

AS for Grunfeld, the Magic seemed desperate yet you could only pull a straight up trade, thats unexceptable. Granted maybe they weren't as desperate as we fans think, but you'd be hard to convince me you couldn't do better than that. Regardless, even if you made a better trade, it's time for you to leave as well Mr. Grunfeld, let the Wall Era start on a fresh page.

One last thing, thanks to the mid-2000's Wizards, Arenas, Jamison, Haywood, Butler, Daniels, Stevenson, and the rest. You guys may have not won a ton in the playoffs and got robbed a few times, but you were a team easy to root for, our loveable losers, a team when healthy played many times with the best. I was crushed when you guys lost, ecstatic when you one.

Hopefully better days lay ahead...

P'Oed · Post #83 » by **P'Oed** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:08 pm

Mizerooskie wrote:
P'Oed wrote:Can't wait to see the new ticket promotions for next year. Nothing gets me more excited for good basketball than a bunch of goofs and John Wall running around.

And how was the scenario any different before this trade?

How was it any different? Don't sit there and tell me people weren't excited to see what this backcourt could accomplish together. It's not even January yet and the experiment is done. The ONLY reason I would buy a ticket for ANY game this year is to see the Gil-Wall backcourt. I'm supposed to be excited about Wall-Lewis? Give me a break man.

GilArenas88 · Post #84 » by **GilArenas88** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:09 pm

GilArenas88 wrote:An era is over here in Washington, Grunfeld needs to go to make it complete. I've usually been in his corner, but he had his chance, time for a new direction.

As for Gil, wish him nothing but the best. Call me melodramatic if you want, but I'll always feel an emptiness in regard to the Wizards to what happened to Arenas. He was on the verge of becoming a superstar, or close to it, had it not been for one fateful night. Just thinking about the Gerald Wallace incident, the multiple rehabs, and the gun situation, just makes me sad. Gil was always a good guy, you couldn't help but root for him with his past, now thats gone. I guess this is a little harder for me because I started to follow the Wizards the year Arenas came here, so in some sappy way, its losing something I had always identified with the Wizards. I guess I'm happy Gil has a chance to be part of something really meaningful, I'll never root against the guy. Good luck Arenas, hope to see your "0" jersey retired at some point.

AS for Grunfeld, the Magic seemed desperate yet you could only pull a straight up trade, thats unexceptable. Granted maybe they weren't as desperate as we fans think, but you'd be hard to convince me you couldn't do better than that. Regardless, even if you made a better trade, it's time for you to leave as well Mr. Grunfeld, let the Wall Era start on a fresh page.

One last thing, thanks to the mid-2000's Wizards, Arenas, Jamison, Haywood, Butler, Daniels, Stevenson, and the rest. You guys may have not won a ton in the playoffs and got robbed a few times, but you were a team easy to root for, our loveable losers, a team when healthy played many times with the best. I was crushed when you guys lost, ecstatic when you won.

Hopefully better days lay ahead...

Mizerooskie · Post #85 » by **Mizerooskie** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:17 pm

P'Oed wrote:
Mizerooskie wrote:
P'Oed wrote:Can't wait to see the new ticket promotions for next year. Nothing gets me more excited for good basketball than a bunch of goofs and John Wall running around.

And how was the scenario any different before this trade?

How was it any different? Don't sit there and tell me people weren't excited to see what this backcourt could accomplish together. It's not even January yet and the experiment is done. The ONLY reason I would buy a ticket for ANY game this year is to see the Gil-Wall backcourt. I'm supposed to be excited about Wall-Lewis? Give me a break man.

Frankly, I wasn't excited to see the backcourt together. Gil couldn't defended 1s well, let alone 2s. Gil isn't the player he used to be. Gil on this team next year would still create the "bunch of goofs and John Wall running around" scenario.

Inliten1 · Post #86 » by **Inliten1** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:22 pm

Why is that the Phoenix gets Orlando's 2011 1st round pick and cash considerations, while Washington took on the Lewis' larger (compared to Vince) , non-expiring, contract?

20MexicanosIn1Van · Post #87 » by **20MexicanosIn1Van** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:27 pm

Inliten1 wrote:Why is that the Phoenix gets Orlando's 2011 1st round pick and cash considerations, while Washington took on the Lewis' larger (compared to Vince) , non-expiring, contract?

I really don't get this either. I guess Turk + Richardson has more value than Gilbert?

kavu · Post #88 » by **kavu** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:28 pm

We disbanded the old franchise (Jamison, Caron, Haywood, and Gil) and really didn't get a whole lot for it. Kind of shocking overall.

Hard to believe we couldn't work out a trade for Yao Ming. He fits with our team in so many ways...

Mizerooskie · Post #89 » by **Mizerooskie** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:29 pm

Inliten1 wrote:Why is that the Phoenix gets Orlando's 2011 1st round pick and cash considerations, while Washington took on the Lewis' larger (compared to Vince) , non-expiring, contract?

Probably because the Magic got the best player in the deal (Richardson) and a player that thrived in Orlando, who they've missed since they traded him (Turkoglu).

Mizerooskie · Post #90 » by **Mizerooskie** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:30 pm

kavu wrote:We disbanded the old franchise (Jamison, Caron, Haywood, and Gil) and really didn't get a whole lot for it. Kind of shocking overall.

Hard to believe we couldn't work out a trade for Yao Ming. He fits with our team in so many ways...

I think there are legitimate questions about whether Yao will ever actually play again in the NBA.

Induveca · Post #91 » by **Induveca** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:33 pm

All of this is extremely bizarre. Again I do understand why it had to be done, but it took me a year or so to forgive the Webber trade. This one will likely take the same amount of time.

I'm happy we have a new owner, I know the man is competent. But a hard reset is needed here upstairs. Grunfeld needs to go. You can't give a guy 3-4 chances to build a team if he keeps failing.

The frightening part? I think Grunfeld was semi serious with that statement about Lewis' rebounding and defense. How else could you explain the signings of Yi/Armstrong etc? He said the same for those guys........

Also at this point we just officially made Wall not only a captain by name, but on the court. He is far and away our best player on the team now. He has just been put on notice only 1 1/2 months into his NBA tenure. Too much pressure, too early IMO. He needs a vet to teach him the ropes.

Just had this conversation with a friend earlier, talent alone doesn't make young stars in any field fluorish it's that old savvy vet that says "yeah young fella, you can do things I can and could never do, but let me show you these old guy tricks......." I guess they are relying on Hinrich for that....good role I guess.

Bunzilla · Post #92 » by **Bunzilla** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:34 pm

This trade deserves much less 'holy ****' and much more 'ho hum'. In fact, the only people it should bother are the people who were thinking JW+GA=RingsBaby! I'm all for hating EG, but the Wiz, a team looking to the future, got money back to help with that. EG's mouth gets an F, the trade gets a C+/B-.

Also means less Yi, and frankly, I'm okay with that. May also mean more Gee, which I'm also okay with. The next move is getting someone to take minutes from Kirk. I wish we could've gotten Gortat, but I understand how we didn't.

Also, it speaks to a slightly new culture. Making moves that need to be made and looking for long term improvement, not short term fixes. Remember that we don't have any player leverage, so I'm not sure what some fans were expecting.

This is 1000x more acceptable than anything involving Blatche/NY/JaVale. We literally have no one else of worth and were looking at a lot of problems in a couple of years.

long suffrin' boulez fan · Post #93 » by **long suffrin' boulez fan** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:37 pm

Ernie "executive of the year" Grunfield, genius that he is, successfully blew it up by, essentially giving away all of his assets. Fair enough, deal done. Now please Ted, just make him go away.

Now that the slate is clean, please don't let him anywhere near any personnel decisions.

Fire EG immediately and pay whatever necessary to bring in Pritchard.

Induveca · Post #94 » by **Induveca** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:39 pm

long suffrin' boulez fan wrote:Ernie "executive of the year" Grunfield, genius that he is, successfully blew it up by, essentially giving away all of his assets. Fair enough, deal done. Now please Ted, just make him go away.

Now that the slate is clean, please don't let him anywhere near any personnel decisions.

Fire EG immediately and pay whatever necessary to bring in Pritchard.

That sums it up pretty well. A lot of frustration you guys aren't grasping here, has to do with the long term botchery that has gone on upstairs. Everyone is shipped out, we now have Wall and a bunch of middling to NBDL level players.

Good we can start over, just don't let the guy who got us to this place yet again, now MULTIPLE times handle another rebuild.

Inliten1 · Post #95 » by **Inliten1** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:40 pm

Ernie is a bad negotiator, period. He is poor with the draft (no credit for Wall, he was a no brainier). His trades have produced mixed results. Credit is due for the Caron / Kwame, but that could be negated by Foye, Miller / 5th pick.

Bottom line, a new GM is a must.

Bunzilla · Post #96 » by **Bunzilla** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:40 pm

Induveca wrote:All of this is extremely bizarre. Again I do understand why it had to be done, but it took me a year or so to forgive the Webber trade. This one will likely take the same amount of time.

I'm happy we have a new owner, I know the man is competent. But a hard reset is needed here upstairs. Grunfeld needs to go. You can't give a guy 3-4 chances to build a team if he keeps failing.

The frightening part? I think Grunfeld was semi serious with that statement about Lewis' rebounding and defense. How else could you explain the signings of Yi/Armstrong etc? He said the same for those guys........

Hilton's not a terrible defensive bench player. His offense is horrid, though. And I always thought Lewis was a stong average defensively when motivated. Which is better than 80% of the players in DC currently. Hopefully being traded motivates.

mhd · Post #97 » by **mhd** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:42 pm

Honestly, the Dallas deal was simply about avoiding paying the luxary tax and nothing else. The only "asset" we got from that deal was Serpahin which was via the cap space on the Hinrich deal.

Don't tell me EG's move for that was genious. If you wanted to trade Caron, Trade him and D-Suck for Redd's crappy contract which was at least insured this past off-season. The Bucks wanted a SF and they overpaid for Maggette. If EG would have waited and relented on the luxary tax, we could have gotten a better deal. We also could have gotten a Trade exception by S&T Haywood.

mhd · Post #98 » by **mhd** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:43 pm

Bunzilla wrote:
Induveca wrote:All of this is extremely bizarre. Again I do understand why it had to be done, but it took me a year or so to forgive the Webber trade. This one will likely take the same amount of time.

I'm happy we have a new owner, I know the man is competent. But a hard reset is needed here upstairs. Grunfeld needs to go. You can't give a guy 3-4 chances to build a team if he keeps failing.

The frightening part? I think Grunfeld was semi serious with that statement about Lewis' rebounding and defense. How else could you explain the signings of Yi/Armstrong etc? He said the same for those guys........

Hilton's not a terrible defensive bench player. His offense is horrid, though. And I always thought Lewis was a stong average defensively when motivated. Which is better than 80% of the players in DC currently. Hopefully being traded motivates.

Lewis is a turd on defense. Besides, Thorton, Gee, and Howard are all much better defenders. This deal was about MONEY and nothing else. I'd rather give all PT to young guys than waste it on Lewis.

Post #99 » by **nate33** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:44 pm

kavu wrote:We disbanded the old franchise (Jamison, Caron, Haywood, and Gil) and really didn't get a whole lot for it. Kind of shocking overall.

Not when you consider that the "old franchise" averaged 23 wins a year for the last two years despite flirting with the luxtax limit. The fact that EG turned $130M or so in contracts into $50M is pretty amazing to me. EG saved $80M and the team is only a few games worse, if that.

Post #100 » by **nate33** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:45 pm

Inliten1 wrote:Ernie is a bad negotiator, period. He is poor with the draft (no credit for Wall, he was a no brainier). His trades have produced mixed results. Credit is due for the Caron / Kwame, but that could be negated by Foye, Miller / 5th pick.

Bottom line, a new GM is a must.

Jamison for Thornton was one of the most one-sided deals of the decade. EG absolutely robbed Cleveland blind on that one.