Exclusive EJ interview on CSN after the game on Tuesday

[LyricalRico]

Sorry but using Hollinger as the basis for your arguments is suspect at best.

Even a fool can have a decent argument every now and then? Care to refute the fool's argument with reason?

Nope. EJ is suck. Nothing more need be said.

[Kanyewest]

My Gawd! This thread ain't dead yet? By some of the posts in here you'd think Eddie J still had some people on his payroll. I'm' glad Eddie's gone, it was time to move on. It wasn't just about a 1-10 start this year it was about the last five years of questionable in-game decisions and an unwillingness to focus on defense outside of training camp in October of every year. He treated defense like it was fad. He got what he deserved.

I'll say it one time before I retire this phrase: There is not one other team in the entire NBA that had a coach for as long as we did who accomplished so little. Excuses about personnel, injuries or whatever don't cut it.

As my friend DCZards once said, "when it comes down to it, its all about wins and losses".

Jordan's career record with the Wizards: 197 wins and 224 losses. A "winning" percentage of .467.

EJ had 4 winning seasons out of 6, and I believe the Wizards did not record a winning season out of prior 5 seasons. The Wizards didn't have the talent to be .600 aside for stretches of the 06-07 when they were healthy. You really think the Wizards underachieved last year with a playoff berth last year? Eddie Jordan had at least the opportunity to finish this season out with all the injuries from Arenas to Haywood to the lingering ones from Daniels and Stevenson and the loss of Roger Mason.

Sorry but what you call excuses can be summarized as reality. The Wizards were damn lucky to make it to the playoffs last year and in a stronger Eastern Conference and worse roster for the reasons above, one would have to expect the Wizards to struggle. Losing Gilbert Arenas faded any hopes that this team had of reaching the Eastern Conference finals since 06-07. In the short term, the firing can't be justified with the hiring of Eddie Tappscott aside for getting more ping pong balls.

The firing could ultimately be justified if the Wizards defense improve significantly with a new head coach. But one has to wonder if the Wizards have the funds to hire a quality head coach given their lack of funds and settle for medicore options like Eddie Tappscott or Wes Unseld Jr.

[hands11]

Do you really think there is this magic coach that could have walked in here mid season and turned this thing around given who was injured and who we traded during the season ( both our PGs for a very raw 2nd year player ?) I doubt it.

Funny how injuries to players matter now but didn't when EJ was coach. Go figure.

I love when people post stuff like this. It's just so classic.

The misrepresented view of others one liner that forces you to attempt to re explain an argument that has been explained a thousand times just so at the end of it, they can drop the one liner and start it all over again.

Your one liner is BS. If you don't know why, go back and read some threads.

[hands11]

My Gawd! This thread ain't dead yet? By some of the posts in here you'd think Eddie J still had some people on his payroll. I'm' glad Eddie's gone, it was time to move on. It wasn't just about a 1-10 start this year it was about the last five years of questionable in-game decisions and an unwillingness to focus on defense outside of training camp in October of every year. He treated defense like it was fad. He got what he deserved.

I'll say it one time before I retire this phrase: There is not one other team in the entire NBA that had a coach for as long as we did who accomplished so little. Excuses about personnel, injuries or whatever don't cut it.

As my friend DCZards once said, "when it comes down to it, its all about wins and losses".

Jordan's career record with the Wizards: 197 wins and 224 losses. A "winning" percentage of .467.

EJ had 4 winning seasons out of 6, and I believe the Wizards did not record a winning season out of prior 5 seasons. The Wizards didn't have the talent to be .600 aside for stretches of the 06-07 when they were healthy. You really think the Wizards underachieved last year with a playoff berth last year? Eddie Jordan had at least the opportunity to finish this season out with all the injuries from Arenas to Haywood to the lingering ones from Daniels and Stevenson and the loss of Roger Mason.

Sorry but what you call excuses can be summarized as reality. The Wizards were damn lucky to make it to the playoffs last year and in a stronger Eastern Conference and worse roster for the reasons above, one would have to expect the Wizards to struggle. Losing Gilbert Arenas faded any hopes that this team had of reaching the Eastern Conference finals since 06-07. In the short term, the firing can't be justified with the hiring of Eddie Tappscott aside for getting more ping pong balls.

The firing could ultimately be justified if the Wizards defense improve significantly with a new head coach. But one has to wonder if the Wizards have the funds to hire a quality head coach given their lack of funds and settle for medicore options like Eddie Tappscott or Wes Unseld Jr.

Hmm, clearly you are going to see only the facts you want regardless of how many times people debunk what you are saying with different facts that are more meaningful to the situation then the ones you want to pay attention to. So I will close this round up with this....

EG is a successful, very well paid General Manager of a multi multi million dollar NBA basketball team. He wasn't just hired to do this job once. The man has successfully been doing this a long time. Most would agree he is good to above average GM while other think he is actually very good one.

Now if the facts didn't line up like we are telling you, why would this very accomplished GM fire EJ in season ? He obviously know the injuries had a good deal to do with the looses this year so there is no question he was firing him based on thing he didn't like in previous years.

Why would the owner of the team allow his GM to fire EJ. Not just any owner. We are talkng Abe. A man who had hand picked EJ himself. A man as loyal to his hand picked people as the day is long.
And lets not forget. EJ was still under contract for millions of dollars which the owner would still have to pay if he was fired. As as you stated, this hand picked coach was the coach while the team went to the playoffs for this owner.

Can it be any more clear? Abe allowed EG to fire his hand picked coach while still under contract for millions and with those playoffs you mentioned in his pocket. How clear do you think it had to be made to Abe that EJ was not a good coach in order for that to happen ?

So in closing, those of us that see it differently then you are backed by seeing it the same as a successful professional GM and a owner that had to admit he was wrong to the tune of what... 7 Ma maamama MIllions dollars. I like the company my facts keeps.

You can stick to your casual fan view of the universe.

[Kanyewest]

It's not the first time that EG hasn't gotten along with his head coach. Interestingly enough, the other coach he didn't get along was one who preached defense ad nauseum (Jeff Van Gundy).

EG is going to have to take some responsibility for Eddie Jordan especially since a more lucrative contract extension was signed under his watch. It would have made more sense to get rid of EJ at the end of the 05-06 season when the penalties for firing him would have been minimized.

You can dismiss my views as "casual" when even logic applies to them. EG had the power to let EJ go after the Wizards lost in the 1st round against the Cavaliers. Ultimately he's responsible for the 4 year contract extension that was granted to EJ. And rightly or wrongly, EG deflected the blame from himself by firing EJ, when there are bigger internal problems with the franchise (ie their medical staff).

[Wizards2Lottery]

Firing Eddie Jordan isn't the end of our problems, but it sure is a start. He had maxed out as a coach, you know what you were getting with him even if the team was healthy. Great offense, horrific defense and inconsistent rotations.

But firing him enough isn't going to change the state of this franchise. The next steps are getting rid of all the horrible contracts that were handed out like candy to marginal players like Stevenson, Songaila and Thomas. This would take a monumental effort by EG, and I have no sympathy for him since he dug this hole for himself (besides ET).

[DCZards]

Why would the owner of the team allow his GM to fire EJ.

Because it's easier to fire the coach than the players.

I like EG. In fact, I think he's a decent GM. (Even when he makes mistakes like taking Pech over Rondo.) But to be a great GM, as you appear to think EG is, you have to win something...and EG hasn't done that yet. So let's hold off on putting him in the B'ball Hall of Fame.

[hands11]

It's not the first time that EG hasn't gotten along with his head coach. Interestingly enough, the other coach he didn't get along was one who preached defense ad nauseum (Jeff Van Gundy).

EG is going to have to take some responsibility for Eddie Jordan especially since a more lucrative contract extension was signed under his watch. It would have made more sense to get rid of EJ at the end of the 05-06 season when the penalties for firing him would have been minimized.

You can dismiss my views as "casual" when even logic applies to them. EG had the power to let EJ go after the Wizards lost in the 1st round against the Cavaliers. Ultimately he's responsible for the 4 year contract extension that was granted to EJ. And rightly or wrongly, EG deflected the blame from himself by firing EJ, when there are bigger internal problems with the franchise (ie their medical staff).

Fine, believe whatever you would like. I tried to lay if all out for you. If you believe it was EG's idea to extend EFJ, I have some nice land in Florida I'm looking to sell. It's water front.

[hands11]

Why would the owner of the team allow his GM to fire EJ.

Because it's easier to fire the coach than the players.

I like EG. In fact, I think he's a decent GM. (Even when he makes mistakes like taking Pech over Rondo.) But to be a great GM, as you appear to think EG is, you have to win something...and EG hasn't done that yet. So let's hold off on putting him in the B'ball Hall of Fame.

But they didn't have to do either. They could have kept the players and the coach. Like I outlined, Abe had plenty of reasons to stay the course if he wanted. All he had to do was stand up for EJ and say, it's the injures. This guy is good. He took us to 4 playoffs. It's not his fault. And way wouldn't he. It would have been cheaper and easier on his ego to do so. The only answer is that Abe was finally convinced that EJ wasn't as good as they wanted.

I'm never crowned EG Great.. I have only said he is a good to great GM. Like you said, you can't say great for sure until the product cranks it up. Like someone else posted, getting ride of EJ is a step in the right direction, but it isn't the destination. EGs job is to building something successful. To be great at it, the product has to be great. He is still in that process so I won't judge the final product until he at least gets a coach of his choosing. Seeing as a HC is a big piece of that product, I'll wait to see who he chooses and what they do before judging what the pieces he has assembled can do when healthy. Seems reasonable.

But as is, I can judge the individual moves and take them in the context of what he did, when and with what influences. To date, he has done a good job. Specially given his owns guidelines such as not going over the cap in the past. Abe seems to be acting better these days so I'm not going to bash the way he is acting right now. But in the past ( during EGs tenure ) Abe was a problem.

[DCZards]

Seeing as a HC is a big piece of that product, I'll wait to see who he chooses and what they do before judging what the pieces he has assembled can do when healthy. Seems reasonable.

I get it. It's "reasonable" to give another head coach a chance to see what he can do with a "healthy" Wizards squad but it was unreasonable for some of us on this board to want the same for EJ. It sounds to me like you're being a little hypocritical seeing that you were among those who refused to accept/admit the fact that the team's shortcomings under EJ had at least something to do with injuries, most notably the loss of the team's best player.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

You're missing the obvious point that EG didn't like EJ and his inability to teach defense and his stupid treatment of Haywood, who we all realize now is an extremely important part of this team. He didn't think EJ could take us to the next level and he took opportunity of the 1-10 start to fire him. It's very simple.

[DCZards]

You're missing the obvious point that EG didn't like EJ and his inability to teach defense and his stupid treatment of Haywood, who we all realize now is an extremely important part of this team. He didn't think EJ could take us to the next level and he took opportunity of the 1-10 start to fire him. It's very simple.

Ok. So now you're claiming to know EXACTLY what EG was thinking when he fired EJ. Did he tell you (or the media) this or are you reading his mind?

And if you can read EG's mind why don't you tell us why he hired the abysmal Tapps to replace EJ. It's one thing to fire a coach that you don't think is doing a good job but it's another thing to replace him with one that's even more clueless.

I was at the Philly game last night and for the first time this season I sat facing the Wizards bench--looking right at Tapps--rather than behind it. There were key moments throughout the game where Tapps seemed to not have a clue as to what just happened or what to do next.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

You really think that Tapscott is not an interim coach but EG's long term solution at HC? WTF?

We know that EG considered firing EJ before but couldn't because the team was winning. He said that in an interview.

We know EG didn't like EJ's defense because he kept trying to bring in defensive coaches to improve the defense.

We know EJ practically demanded that BH be traded. We know that EG flatly refused. So we know EG appreciated Haywood and EJ didn't. Furthermore, we know now that EG was right and EJ was wrong.

Open your eyes, man. The truth will set you free.

[nate33]

I get the feeling that EG has been on the verge of firing EJ for two years now for various reasons, particularly the defense. I think the Thibadeux fiasco was the tipping point, EG has been looking for an excuse to fire EJ ever since. He simply couldn't justify it last year with EJ coaching the team to 43 wins without Arenas.

When the Wizards started out 1-10 (against an extremely easy schedule, I might add), EG figured he finally had his opportunity. He pulled the trigger quick to make sure EJ didn't somehow turn things around. The last thing EG wanted was for EJ to get the team to play .400 basketball. That would've been just good enough for EJ to keep his job and keep the team in this 43-48-win purgatory for the foreseeable future.

EG is making a gamble. A new coach and a high draft pick might be just the thing to kick us up to the next level. Even if it backfires, it was worth a shot. The bottom line was the EJ-led team simply wasn't going to be a championship contender.

[DCZards]

You really think that Tapscott is not an interim coach but EG's long term solution at HC? WTF?

We know that EG considered firing EJ before but couldn't because the team was winning. He said that in an interview.

We know EG didn't like EJ's defense because he kept trying to bring in defensive coaches to improve the defense.

We know EJ practically demanded that BH be traded. We know that EG flatly refused. So we know EG appreciated Haywood and EJ didn't. Furthermore, we know now that EG was right and EJ was wrong.

Open your eyes, man. The truth will set you free.

Who says EJ wanted BH traded? How do you "know" that EG flatly refused EJ's demand to trade BH? You make a lot of statements/assumptions but fail to provide even a thread of evidence to back them up. Admit it, what you say you "know" is nothing more than rumors...most of it posted on this board.

No, I didn't think Tapps was EG's long-term solution but, with 71 games left in the season, I would think that EG would appoint an "interim" coach that gave the team a shot at winning, say, maybe 20 of those games. It's almost as if EG threw in the towel by hiring his boy when he had assistants on the bench with at least some HC experience.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

I "know" the same way I know anthropogenic activity is leading to global warming... inductive reasoning. Maybe you should go to college?

[LyricalRico]

No, I didn't think Tapps was EG's long-term solution but, with 71 games left in the season, I would think that EG would appoint an "interim" coach that gave the team a shot at winning, say, maybe 20 of those games. It's almost as if EG threw in the towel by hiring his boy when he had assistants on the bench with at least some HC experience.

*Gasp*

How can you say what you "think" Grunfeld would do? Are you his close personal friend? Does he let you read his diary? Have you ever been on a date with him? This is pure conjecture and unsubstantiated rumor that cannot be proven. How dare you make a post like that!

[hands11]

You're missing the obvious point that EG didn't like EJ and his inability to teach defense and his stupid treatment of Haywood, who we all realize now is an extremely important part of this team. He didn't think EJ could take us to the next level and he took opportunity of the 1-10 start to fire him. It's very simple.

Ok. So now you're claiming to know EXACTLY what EG was thinking when he fired EJ. Did he tell you (or the media) this or are you reading his mind?

And if you can read EG's mind why don't you tell us why he hired the abysmal Tapps to replace EJ. It's one thing to fire a coach that you don't think is doing a good job but it's another thing to replace him with one that's even more clueless.

I was at the Philly game last night and for the first time this season I sat facing the Wizards bench--looking right at Tapps--rather than behind it. There were key moments throughout the game where Tapps seemed to not have a clue as to what just happened or what to do next.

Haaaa. Now if that doesn't sound like a season of EJ I don't know what does.

The man didn't even know when to call a time out. I almost never feel that way when watching Tapps coach.

You are the hypocrite. EJ got 5 years and you think he should have gotten more after all the coaching blunder we saw from him but you won't give Tapps any time. Hell, by your standards, EJ should have been gone after the first year because our records sucked under him that first year.

[hands11]

You really think that Tapscott is not an interim coach but EG's long term solution at HC? WTF?

We know that EG considered firing EJ before but couldn't because the team was winning. He said that in an interview.

We know EG didn't like EJ's defense because he kept trying to bring in defensive coaches to improve the defense.

We know EJ practically demanded that BH be traded. We know that EG flatly refused. So we know EG appreciated Haywood and EJ didn't. Furthermore, we know now that EG was right and EJ was wrong.

Open your eyes, man. The truth will set you free.

Who says EJ wanted BH traded? How do you "know" that EG flatly refused EJ's demand to trade BH? You make a lot of statements/assumptions but fail to provide even a thread of evidence to back them up. Admit it, what you say you "know" is nothing more than rumors...most of it posted on this board.

No, I didn't think Tapps was EG's long-term solution but, with 71 games left in the season, I would think that EG would appoint an "interim" coach that gave the team a shot at winning, say, maybe 20 of those games. It's almost as if EG threw in the towel by hiring his boy when he had assistants on the bench with at least some HC experience.

There have been plenty of facts posted over the year. No one needs to waste their time going back and indexing all the facts you choose to ignore. Bottom line. EJ is gone. Many of us are happy about it. 5 years is more then most coaches get anyway. So you had 5 years of EJ coaching joy while many of us didn't. Either way, the next chapter is here. Hopefully we can find a coach that more of us support.

[LyricalRico]

It's not the first time that EG hasn't gotten along with his head coach. Interestingly enough, the other coach he didn't get along was one who preached defense ad nauseum (Jeff Van Gundy).

From what I recall that was about an internal power struggle, not lack of results or Grunfeld's disagreement with his philosophies on defense and player rotations. Try again.