Quoting myself so's not to re-edit this book length post.
doclinkin wrote:EDIT-- and this is where teams like the Spurs excel. They ID players who already play good fundamental defense and who require little retraining, then hire them. When possible they season them overseas where you won't play unless you have good habits. That's just part of their instututional philosophy, and that's the real difference between the Spurs and Wiz, so far. They have the ability to look long term, because quite frankly there's no need for a fast turnaround in San Antoinio. Sportswise it's not like there's much else to do.
That's what proved most of the shame for me here with the ganking of EJ. And the injuries. I agree with GMEG's concept that you have to commit to a philosophy and stick with it long enough for it to work. In this case Ernie had more faith in his picks than they have yet earned, his perspective was that EJ was at fault. I can respect his evaluation and skills and hey it's his ass in the sling not mine. But seems to me if the team had been able to maintain decent health, or even stagger their injuries a little, we would have been able to see some sort of progress.
As it was EJ was able to tread water (playoff appearances, if not advancement) given tough circumstances. My feeling was when all were re-assembled we'd suddenly see our pent up frustration unleashed on opponents in a bloodbath. But despite a longer tenure than most, we were never able to see the full fruit of that continuity and chemistry stratagem. In part because-- what with free agency departures or lack of bench talent-- we lacked the former. Chemistry was there though. We had just started to get an upgrade in talent on the bench. Young though they were. Are.
If we had our starters, the Young pups would have had time to develop slow (here with the team, not on the Spurs model. Difference being we need all our draft picks in uniform). Instead they got a trial by fire and came up lacking. No shame, just to be expected with youth. EJ got axed in part because he was under fire to protect his job and win now, where the GM would prefer to see the young talent developed. A paradox there. If he relies on veterans he may win, but will wear them out quicker and not develop the youth, thus get fired; if he relies on the youth he'll lose more often, and you know... get fired.
My feeling is young players learn to win by playing key roles on winning teams. Then adding to their game little by little. Minutes alone help, but quality minutes help more -- otherwise you pick up bad habits that are tough to unlearn. The Spurs/Portland Euro-training plan works great because the Euros play far fewer games per week, and spend far longer hours straight-up drilling. Fundamentals, plays, execution, team defense, communication, etc. Plus you don't have to pay the guys for someone else to train them You get your minor league affiliate for free. A wonderful luxury.
Now the Spurs are able to maintain chemistry and continuity even without those picks over ehre because of a solid institutional framework and a fundamentally perfect centerpiece player. (Plus Big Timmy has been pretty durable for a Big). They build around this keystone with the long view in mind. But it takes a while to build an institutional plan and outlook, and it usually requires special patience via the ownership.
The frustration from a Wiz standpoint is that now the team is likely to shift in a different direction. Find new roles. Learn new methods, and probably struggle a little to adjust. In all probability there will be a roster shake-up to suit the new coaches style. And the roster as it's assembled now is like I said a half-finished project. You change course now there's little benefit from the 4+ eyars of continuity and reps within a system.
On the plus side, I do think there's a ton of talent on this team. Some playing, some in street clothes. One way or the other I'd bet we end up alright. It just may take a little while. Again.
As for Ernie. To some extent I think his strength is also his failing. The philosophy of GMing for the coach is fine, though it means you sometimes get caught when the coach insists you trade away the farm to get a toothless old Gary Payton or whatnot. If you have an institutional plan and long view (Spurs, now Portland, possibly Boston) --which often means deep pockets or a loyal fanbase-- you can develop a team towards a style that is proven to work, and hire the coach that fits your personal philosophy of ball. Ernie built a defensive monster in NYC to suit Riley. He found gems like Anthony Mason, Oakley, John Starks. Swapped for Marcus Camby when it wasn't popular but it proved to be the right move (after he was fired). He can build a team whatever the emphasis. I just want to see the foundation of a dynasty, and sometimes that means having the sort of patience that Eddie preached: Sometimes patience is when you've had enough, then you wait a little more.
Ernie is a solid GM. But we have an owner with little left in the way of patience or time; axing Eddie in the dark hours of injury, when he was less at fault than he had been in the past, is a dangerous thing if the team doesn't quickly turn around. You built the team for this coach and his methods, but the fanbase and owners will only see that you built this team, if it fails there's no scapegoat left anymore.
Frankly, I've seen bad management, I'd hate to see Ernie axed. So. If we had an owner not noted as stubborn and irascible and occasionally impulsive, I'd see the EJ mercykilling as a part of a longterm plan: collect lotto chips, install coach. Select top talent. Begin a new 3 year quest for a championship with finally your own institutional philosophy.
I'm just never sure that Abe sees it that way. He hates to think he looks a fool. Would change something every year if it were up to him and the team was losing. One reason why the team hasn't had success. And again, the irony, some part of why Abe's teams keep the rep of laughingstock franchise. I pray for patience here. Again.
