wizards-fan wrote:IMO Detroit fans rejected Saunders because they had just won a championship with a certain identity, and everyone (including the players) had become attached to that identity for obvious reasons. It even sounds like some of the players felt guilty after the fact that they didn't give it a enough of a chance. But Flip failed to get to the Finals because his teams weren't capable of overachieving despite the fact that they didn't have a Top 10 player/HOF talent like the teams they faced (Lebron, Wade, Shaq, Garnett) ... which is something Detroit had become accustomed to under Larry Brown. (But it's hardly the norm for that to happen, so it was a bit of a unrealistic expectation to begin with IMO)
But the point to me is that Flip is still the most qualified candidate, and Detroit had some pretty ridiculous success under his coaching regime. Given their tradition of success in the NBA and recent championship, they could be excused for rebelling against someone like Saunders. But as Wizards fans? If over the next 3 seasons we win our division 3 straight times, getting the #1 seed in the playoffs twice (and #2 the other), and make the Eastern Conference Finals 3 straight times while winning 72% of our games with 9 All-Star appearances ... I mean we'd have to be crazy to complain after all that. This is the Bullets/Wizards we're talking about. That's the type of success that we haven't had here in a long time.
Everything I've heard about Saunder's philosophy fits this Wizards team as presently constructed. He's shown he can win bunches of games playing the style of ball that this team is built to play (Blake Griffin or no Blake Griffin). Since we have no reason to believe the roster will change drastically over the next few years, I see no problem with hiring someone who will coach to our strengths, while we try to address our weaknesses on defense through other means.
Great post, wizard fan.
The Pistons essentially had nowhere to go but down when Flip took them over. They had a tradition of defensive success and championship expectations. Filp wasn't the coach for that team in the playoffs, yet he won a ton of games in the regular season and did at least take them to the eastern conference finals.
With the Wizards Flip's inheriting a 19 or 20 win team. Nowhere to go but up. Way up. First round exit would be okay if this team appears to play to potential. Just making the playoffs will probably be enough next season. An eastern finals next season and Flip would be a hero.
I believe Detroit fans that have posted here. I would have rather had a "ballsy" hire. An innovator who would tighten up the defense would really shake things up. But this time, I'm on board with Grunfeld's decision if Flip's the choice. The guy wins games in the regular season and the playoffs.
I'm thinking 2-3 years from now the Wizards might need another guy to take them over the top, but Flip's fine until then. Also, if the Wizards get Griffin they become more than a jump shooting team, and Flip could really hit the jackpot.
Bye bye Beal.