Now I KNOW I'm Wizard fan.
This team's just like ME and my life.
They go through some stuff, man!
Can't even write a script or a country and western song to capture the epic tragedy.
All the Wizards need to do is stay together and grow through these experiences. Exhibit patience in suffering and be prepared to triumph when it's time.
They're in a place to learn hard but valuable lessons. Gil got infirmity and Caron's been afflicted with injuries. Humility and even more mental toughness are bred of affliction.
Jamison's been sure nuff captain, dad, and if not butt kicker sure enough lockerroom re-arranger for a reason. I don't see the man as soft any more.
Eddie Jordan's been the captain of the titanic or the head of a MASH-type triage unit for a reason. He hasn't had the superstars to lean on and he's had to use his bigs. He's had to see Brendan emerge. Others have to admire that EJ is definitely not a whiner. I cannot imagine another coach in the league remaining as composed under the circumstances. What's been forced on EJ has been changes he didn't necessarily want to make.
Caron comes back and plays big minutes ... and gets hurt. Hmmm, if EG said watch his minutes and say Caron played 20 minutes that game instead of 41 the odds are 50-50 that he's not hurt right now. Oh yeah, it's time to ADMIT you might not have made the greatest decision to "watch him" play those minutes.
(For damage control, I'd suggest EJ go back and watch that game and see when Caron got hurt, just for CYA purposes. Who knows but that it didn't happen right away.)
Forgive my rant, but this group is a great bunch of guys, these Wizards. Indeed, sometimes bad things do happen to good people.
I just believe trouble don't last always. Weeping does indeed last for a night but joy comes in the morning. In all the parables/cliches whatever you want to call them, I think they just need to "stay the course".
It's just not time right now for the Wizards. WHEN they get through this, the ones with faith will be still standing and they'll go very far in the NBA. They learning a whole lot right NOW.
Look no further than the Pistons. Rasheed, Rip, and Chauncey went through some stuff and so did Big Ben before they won it all.
Keep this core together. Get the defensive mojo going. Play a deep roster that withstands injuries to key guys. Keep feeling like the Wizards can beat anybody and eventually the Wizards will.
This IMO is just a time of testing and it's only a matter of time before they pass the test. The ones that GO THROUGH IT AND DON'T RUN AWAY will most certainly pass the test.
I don't care how this season turns out record wise, but a whole lot of lessons can be learned right now.
Tre Johnson is the future of the Wizards.
