Grunfeld a Great GM. Proves Doubters Wrong

[Jay81]

unfortunately, i could see ernie winning GM Of the year mainly for Gortat trade and Andre Miller trade and taking a team that went 29-53 to ECF finals potentially

[LyricalRico]

unfortunately, i could see ernie winning GM Of the year mainly for Gortat trade and Andre Miller trade and taking a team that went 29-53 to ECF finals potentially

Dude, think about what you just posted...the team improved by 15 wins and went from the lottery to potentially being in the ECF. If that were ANY other franchise, folks would be saying "see, why can't our GM do that", but when it's the Wizards it's "unfortunate". Wow...

[tontoz]

unfortunately, i could see ernie winning GM Of the year mainly for Gortat trade and Andre Miller trade and taking a team that went 29-53 to ECF finals potentially

Dude, think about what you just posted...the team improved by 15 wins and went from the lottery to potentially being in the ECF. If that were ANY other franchise, folks would be saying "see, why can't our GM do that", but when it's the Wizards it's "unfortunate". Wow...

The Wizards "improvement" is mainly due to WAll playing 82 games instead of 49. If Wall played only 49 games this season there is no way they make the playoffs.

[LyricalRico]

^ Or is it that Wall was finally able to play 82 games because the pressure was finally off him and he didn't have to do it himself?

[tontoz]

^ Or is it that Wall was finally able to play 82 games because the pressure was finally off him and he didn't have to do it himself?

So the pressure is what caused him to miss all those games last season? If that was the case then why would EG sign him to a max deal after he proved he couldn't handle the pressure?

[TGW]

unfortunately, i could see ernie winning GM Of the year mainly for Gortat trade and Andre Miller trade and taking a team that went 29-53 to ECF finals potentially

Dude, think about what you just posted...the team improved by 15 wins and went from the lottery to potentially being in the ECF. If that were ANY other franchise, folks would be saying "see, why can't our GM do that", but when it's the Wizards it's "unfortunate". Wow...

We have about 10 years of data to prove this GM is terrible. Let's not take one year where the conference is historically bad and act like Grunfail did the impossible. He had to lose a first round pick just to get this team to this level.

[hands11]

Yes, I've said I'd like to see EG replaced as GM...and still do. I think it's time for some new blood in that position. But I don't necessarily think he should be fired, especially given that he's put together a team that I'm pretty happy with at this point. I've suggested that EG be given another position in the Zards organization...unless he decides to leave or retire.

I wonder if you would be as happy with the team if they were playing Miami, which very nearly happened due to their inability to beat the Bobcats.

They don't need to fire him. Just don't resign him. After 10 years on the job i don't think getting past the first round, assuming we do, is a good enough reason for another contract, especially given the big question marks (and lack of a draft pick) that the team will have to deal with this summer.

EG has made one short term move after another in a desperation attempt to keep his job. Meanwhile the Bulls traded away Deng for nothing just to clear cap. EG has gone all out trying to win now while Bulls management is looking down the road. Is beating them in a series really that big a deal?

All in do time. I was talking to a friend about this today.

ATL vs IND... Regardless of which one we face, if we beat them, there will be more ... yeah but IND sucks or ATL was the 8th seed. Even though IND had a great regular season record and made it to ECF last year.

BRK vs TOR .. Well if TOR wins and beat MIA then its us against them... more excuses. its was just TOR

If BRK beats MIA.... more excuses... Yeah.. its an old BRK team...better but still not as good as MIA

I want MIA to come out of that side.. Because nothing would be sweeter then getting to the title game then taking it from MIA in the EC finals. The two time defending camps.

And by the time we get to that game, the WIZs will have the playoff seasoning they need to face them.

[hands11]

The playoffs so far has been fun to watch. This is an EG built team and the team plays well together. I think there is a good chance we can win the next round of playoff games. You know without the Gortat trade EG is PROBABLY gone in the off season.

Hypothetically, if you knew two weeks before the season started, that picking up Gortat would get the Wizards to the ECF, however, EG would get a new contract. Would you make that trade? I'd love to hear your answer tontoz.

No. The "end justifies the means" argument is always a weak one, especially in this case. A historically weak conference doesn't make the trade better. And we were one game away from being the Cats, who won the season series against us.

What if it gets them to a title series ?

[dckingsfan]

unfortunately, i could see ernie winning GM Of the year mainly for Gortat trade and Andre Miller trade and taking a team that went 29-53 to ECF finals potentially

Dude, think about what you just posted...the team improved by 15 wins and went from the lottery to potentially being in the ECF. If that were ANY other franchise, folks would be saying "see, why can't our GM do that", but when it's the Wizards it's "unfortunate". Wow...

We have about 10 years of data to prove this GM is terrible. Let's not take one year where the conference is historically bad and act like Grunfail did the impossible. He had to lose a first round pick just to get this team to this level.

Why not - irrationality is part of being a fan

[montestewart]

unfortunately, i could see ernie winning GM Of the year mainly for Gortat trade and Andre Miller trade and taking a team that went 29-53 to ECF finals potentially

Dude, think about what you just posted...the team improved by 15 wins and went from the lottery to potentially being in the ECF. If that were ANY other franchise, folks would be saying "see, why can't our GM do that", but when it's the Wizards it's "unfortunate". Wow...

That's actually pretty funny. All my qualms and qualifiers aside, if they can make it to the ECF, I'm going to take some time to enjoy it, accident of history or not.

[hands11]

No. The "end justifies the means" argument is always a weak one, especially in this case. A historically weak conference doesn't make the trade better. And we were one game away from being the Cats, who won the season series against us.

I still don't see what's so bad about trading for an experienced, starting caliber big man (Gortat) that can help ensure that your team gets to the first round of the 2014 NBA playoffs...and beyond. (Yes, EG should have prepared for the loss of Okafor but it is what it is.) I personally prefer that option to clinging on to what likely would have been a late lottery pick that would have yielded a young, inexperienced player who would almost certainly need 2-3 years to become an impact player. The Zards needed to get better, not younger, imo.

While making the playoffs may indeed mean that EG gets to keep his job, it also means that Wall and Beal are getting invaluable experience and exposure that will only make them better players in the long run. In addition, the Zards are having the kind of oncourt success--and getting the kind of hype and attention--that a franchise needs in order to get on the radar screens of quality free agents.

(I saw Greg Monroe and his agent Falk sitting courtside at the first home playoff game...soaking in an atmosphere that I'm sure Monroe would love to be part of.)

GO ZARDS!

[hands11]

A problem with the Wizards strategy of trading for veterans to make the playoffs now is that they used resources they could have spent on players with a longer shelf life to build a team that could a) have reached the same destination, and b) their future would have been more promising.

As the roster stands, their window for whatever success they're going to have with this group is fairly small and based on the balance of Wall, Beal and Porter improving vs. the declines/regressions/health of Gortat, Nenê and Ariza.

Their best path forward for the next couple years is likely to bring guys back and try to add with the MLE. And then hope that the youngsters get better before the old guys break down. They need at least one of those three youngsters to become elite to become a championship contender.

They needed that regardless. And the best way to turn them into that is by what they are doing. Not dreaming of another day and not making the playoffs that would delay the development they are getting right now.

Winning adds way more to the franchise then dreaming of another day. Another mid level pick. That was a more risky way to get there.

These vets helped Wall and Beal. So has winning in the playoffs. And it attracts players. It funds the franchise for reinvestment.

They took a risk building it this way and so far, the risk is paying off. More will be revealed but continuing to project the negative when it is being proven wrong over and over requires an adjustment in your projection algorithm.

[hands11]

A problem with the Wizards strategy of trading for veterans to make the playoffs now is that they used resources they could have spent on players with a longer shelf life to build a team that could a) have reached the same destination, and b) their future would have been more promising.

As the roster stands, their window for whatever success they're going to have with this group is fairly small and based on the balance of Wall, Beal and Porter improving vs. the declines/regressions/health of Gortat, Nenê and Ariza.

Their best path forward for the next couple years is likely to bring guys back and try to add with the MLE. And then hope that the youngsters get better before the old guys break down. They need at least one of those three youngsters to become elite to become a championship contender.

How is our window for success small? Remember, to be successful all you have to do is be better than your competition. How many teams in the East are definitely going to be better than Washington moving forward?

Depending on what happens with Miami (will the Big Three stay together?) and Indy (do they keep Vogel? Do they pay Stephenson? Will Hibbert ever get his confidence back?), the Wizards could be contenders for the ECF just about every year in the near future. And they're already building chemistry and learning to play playoff ball, which is an advantage some other teams won't have.

The only way to truly reach the next level is to acquire a superstar. And what we're doing now helps us in that effort, not hurts it. We may never get the guy, but we haven't YET made any moves that close that window.

Where were you when I have posting all this stuff before

Anyway, glad to see others getting on the bus. Varrooom Varooom

[hands11]

Exactly. Successful teams don't take 6 seasons to rebuild. They are making smart long term moves as opposed to short term, job saving moves.

the Wizards traded the 5th pick for Miller/Foye, two expirers. Another short sighted move, passing on Curry who wanted to come here.

Yes, but that was Abe. And I hated the idea at the time. But, that was a dying Abe demanding they do it. You can't count that against Ted.

True. Anybody still have a transcript of that conversation? No? I guess we'll have to check with Abe. Oh wait!

The Wizards have traded quite a few draft picks. This blaming everything on Abe is getting a little old.

Actually we do. Its all in the a thread where it was debated at length.

[dckingsfan]

unfortunately, i could see ernie winning GM Of the year mainly for Gortat trade and Andre Miller trade and taking a team that went 29-53 to ECF finals potentially

Dude, think about what you just posted...the team improved by 15 wins and went from the lottery to potentially being in the ECF. If that were ANY other franchise, folks would be saying "see, why can't our GM do that", but when it's the Wizards it's "unfortunate". Wow...

That's actually pretty funny. All my qualms and qualifiers aside, if they can make it to the ECF, I'm going to take some time to enjoy it, accident of history or not.

I like that we can enjoy one of EGs accidents - so often it is fans of opposing teams

[hands11]

The criticism of the Gortat trade at the time was reasonable as, while Ernie will deny it, the move was made to try secure a playoff seed, and no one in the organization thought that, even with the addition of Polish Hammer, this team would accomplish anything beyond a 1st round playoff exit. Agree that the goal in October 2013 was simply to make the playoffs with no expectation of anything beyond. The strategy was short-sighted.

With that said, a ton of teams in the East (Indiana, Nets, Knicks, even the Bulls as everyone thought D Rose would be healthy) turned out to be much weaker than everyone expected. Now, as the result of the trade and the misfortune of others, the Wizards have a reasonable likelihood of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Every GM in the league would trade a lottery protected 1st round pick for the chance to be one of 4 teams left fighting for an NBA title. So, while the criticism was legit at the time, the trade can not be reasonably criticized now.

Ernie and the Wizard got a little lucky, but the organization is long overdue for some luck.

That was the min goal and thats the goal they release publicly.

Under promise. Over deliver. sales 101

If you haven't made the playoffs in several years after a total rebuild because you had a total franchise melt down after gungate, you don't publicly say, we expect to get out of the first round or to the ECF.

You would never do that.

[TGW]

Dude, think about what you just posted...the team improved by 15 wins and went from the lottery to potentially being in the ECF. If that were ANY other franchise, folks would be saying "see, why can't our GM do that", but when it's the Wizards it's "unfortunate". Wow...

That's actually pretty funny. All my qualms and qualifiers aside, if they can make it to the ECF, I'm going to take some time to enjoy it, accident of history or not.

I like that we can enjoy one of EGs accidents - so often it is fans of opposing teams

That made me laugh and pissed me off all at once.

[FreeBalling]

You are correct. You are definitely missing something. It is called the salary cap. Teams can exceed the cap to resign their own free agents, assuming they have the players Bird Rights. But if they are over the cap they can't offer more than the MLE to another team's free agent.

Maybe I'm not saying this correctly but someone knows how to manipulate the system because the numbers below do not lie. The Lakers for years have had a huge payroll in the NBA. I'm just saying there are other ways to build a team or improve a team. To me it seems that other GM's are doing it.

1. Brooklyn $102,589,967
2. New York $88,188,494
3. Miami $80,698,486$69,
4. LA Lakers $77,423,614

Teams are permitted to exceed the salary cap, but there are limitations designed to make it tougher. What you're seeing this season with some of those payrolls is holdover contracts from the previous collective bargaining agreement. The new one increased penalties for exceeding the luxury tax with escalating payments for teams that repeatedly exceed it.

Because of cap holds, teams are effectively forced to choose whether to pursue free agents from other teams or whether to re-sign their own players. That's the choice the Wizards will have to make: sign a free agent (or two) OR use the space they'll have under the salary cap to re-sign Gortat, Ariza, Booker and/or Gooden.

IF they decide to re-sign their own free agents, they'll be able to a) exceed the salary cap, and b) use the mid-level exception to sign another free agent (or more -- teams can split up the MLE however they want). But, they cannot re-sign their own free agents to market prices AND sign a significant free agent.

They could trade for a player (or players) and use cap room to absorb their salaries. That would also mean the departure of their own free agents -- they'd have to renounce them to clear the cap space necessary to acquire additional salaries.

All of this has been done to make it more difficult for teams to poach free agents from other teams. (The home team can also pay a little more too.)

Finally, Leonsis has indicated in the past that he doesn't want to exceed the luxury tax threshold. That may be flexible, but I've always thought the luxury tax threshold was a reasonable place for an owner to cap spending.

Tontoz and Nivek, thank you for taking a minute to educate me. I seem to have a false understanding of the luxury tax and personal. I will check out that FAQ.

Best regards,

John H

[hands11]

unfortunately, i could see ernie winning GM Of the year mainly for Gortat trade and Andre Miller trade and taking a team that went 29-53 to ECF finals potentially

Dude, think about what you just posted...the team improved by 15 wins and went from the lottery to potentially being in the ECF. If that were ANY other franchise, folks would be saying "see, why can't our GM do that", but when it's the Wizards it's "unfortunate". Wow...

The Wizards "improvement" is mainly due to WAll playing 82 games instead of 49. If Wall played only 49 games this season there is no way they make the playoffs.

You keep giving us the ifs, but they aren't what actually happened. And beside, ifs work both ways.

If Wall started last year they would have been in the playoffs last year and they would have been able to attract a better back up PG. Maybe we could have gotten Darren Collison and avoided 3/4 of the season without a good back up PG and won 50 games this year enter their 2nd back to back playoff experience.

But even then, a first round series win this year would be what they wanted to achieve.

They just did that. Headed to round 2 then to the ECF. Thats what opportunity you get when have earned an invite to the dance.

[montestewart]

Yes, but that was Abe. And I hated the idea at the time. But, that was a dying Abe demanding they do it. You can't count that against Ted.

True. Anybody still have a transcript of that conversation? No? I guess we'll have to check with Abe. Oh wait!

The Wizards have traded quite a few draft picks. This blaming everything on Abe is getting a little old.

Actually we do. Its all in the a thread where it was debated at length.

Rather than taking you back behind the facts shed again, I'm just going to say, "Peace, Wizards fan."