No Protest -- At Least EG Blew it Up

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #1 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:11 pm

The deal Ernie Grunfeld made was lopsided in favor of Dallas, and it didn't even achieve savings to avoid the tax or draft picks/prospect in return.

The cap situation Grunfeld created earlier has led to Haywood now being Dallas' best hope as C of the future, and Butler given away on a bad deal.

The draft day trade Grunfeld did robbed the Wizards the opportunity to sign young talent better than Foye at the same position, that didn't have to be resigned.

The players drafted by Grunfeld have been offensive players, players with potential unrealized, and players with maturity, character, or intelligence issues.

The free agents Grunfeld signed were generally undersized, lacking athleticism, and he generally overpaid.

What I want to know is how can fans who are furious with how this one individual has set the franchise back and destroyed things so thoroughly UNITE IN PROTEST and TO WHOM?

It bothers me this past deal went down without universal condemnation and that Grunfeld is so above it all.

Does anyone have a thought? I would pay to protest Ernie Grunfeld. How is the question. Is it even possible to put an add in the paper (Post and Times)? Put up a roadside banner (FIRE ERNIE on the side of 495)? A banner the size of Gilbert Arenas aside Verizon? Or, through the media just inundate ESPN with streams of calls, emails, letters detailing "GM Malpractice". How can the world know how many here feel.

Ernie Grunfeld has killed the Wizards just like Micheal Jackson's doctor's prescription killed him.

It seems like there should be a way to HOLD GRUNFELD ACCOUNTABLE and THE POLLIN FAMILY, TOO!

Donkey McDonkerton · Post #2 » by **Donkey McDonkerton** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:17 pm

Not sure, but I'm totally open to voicing my displeasure with the team.

Donkey McDonkerton · Post #3 » by **Donkey McDonkerton** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:18 pm

Someone get EG's email address, and lets bombard him.

CaPtaiN eYeSaNo · Post #4 » by **CaPtaiN eYeSaNo** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:27 pm

maybe we should bombard the media. EG doesn't give a rat's ass about what we think. He'll just delete the emails.

* edit to add that we should email leonsis also...

verbal8 · Post #5 » by **verbal8** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:28 pm

Donkey McDonkerton wrote:Someone get EG's email address, and lets bombard him.

Maybe Lyrical Rico knows it j/k

Post #6 » by **Ruzious** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:34 pm

There is a DC sports owner with a more than passing interest in the Wiz who does read his e-mails, but I wouldn't abuse his consideration. We might want to indicate our unhappiness with Sr. Grunfeld to him. I'd wait till after Thursday - because something good could happen before the trade deadline.

Silvie Lysandra · Post #7 » by **Silvie Lysandra** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:35 pm

Not happening. If this was Boston, or LA, or another rabid basketball town, there *might* be a chance, but I doubt it.

I know what you're hearkening back to, and you have to understand that what we pulled to get Bruce and Shanny here I think is if not *unprecedented*, then with very little precedent in pro sports, simply due to the magnitude of the directional shift involved. And it happened with the team that has arguably the loyal fanbase in sports, which is one of the most valuable teams in sports, which is one of the most storied franchises in football. This combination of factors was enough to make last years protest not only a huge event locally, but NATIONALLY as well.

Listen - if the team's organizational incompetence couldn't get a fair hearing just in Washington, then there's no way it's getting a fair hearing outside it.

I understand how you're feeling, but the fans are powerless to change the state of the Wizards this time.

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #8 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:38 pm

Ruzious wrote:There is a DC sports owner with a more than passing interest in the Wiz who does read his e-mails, but I wouldn't abuse his consideration. We might want to indicate our unhappiness with Sr. Grunfeld to him. I'd wait till after Thursday - because something good could happen before the trade deadline.

Nothing good will happen before Thursday.

If Grunfeld trades Jamison, he'll do something stupid like throw in Mike James' deal to bring in the contract of a Richard Jefferson.

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #9 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:43 pm

Chaos Revenant wrote:Not happening. If this was Boston, or LA, or another rabid basketball town, there *might* be a chance, but I doubt it.

I know what you're hearkening back to, and you have to understand that what we pulled to get Bruce and Shanny here I think is if not *unprecedented*, then with very little precedent in pro sports, simply due to the magnitude of the directional shift involved. And it happened with the team that has arguably the loyal fanbase in sports, which is one of the most valuable teams in sports, which is one of the most storied franchises in football. This combination of factors was enough to make last years protest not only a huge event locally, but NATIONALLY as well.

Listen - if the team's organizational incompetence couldn't get a fair hearing just in Washington, then there's no way it's getting a fair hearing outside it.

I understand how you're feeling, but the fans are powerless to change the state of the Wizards this time.

No doubt the fans can't change things.

I want to lambaste the reputation of Ernie Grunfeld. I want the man to know some fans hate his work and wish he'd never, ever, ever, ever, ever been associated with the Wizards.

closg00 · Post #10 » by **closg00** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 3:09 pm

I think the most productive course of action is to vigorously voice our displeasure about the Ernie Grunfeld era to Ted Leonsis lest he get snowed by Ernie into keeping him through the rebuild. Priority #1 is to make sure that Ernie Grunfeld is fired on day-1, Ernie along with the rest of the management team (Ed Tapscott, the Unselds etc.) There must be a total house-cleaning.

Wizards2Lottery · Post #11 » by **Wizards2Lottery** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 4:09 pm

Send an email to Ted but be nice about it. Ted actually reads through fan mail instead of just deleting it and he will write back to you.

verbal8 · Post #12 » by **verbal8** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:05 pm

I don't think that Leonsis is likely to keep EG. I think EG's "strategy" is too similar to the failed bring in vet FAs strategy that failed with the Caps. I think he will want a guy with a good idea for drafting talent and someone who is analytical but at the same time willing to take risks.

Post #13 » by **montestewart** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:41 pm

Wizards2Lottery wrote:Send an email to Ted but be nice about it. Ted actually reads through fan mail instead of just deleting it and he will write back to you.

He responded to two of my emails, and I know he's responded to others. He's in a delicate position, and I wouldn't expect him to denounce the Pollins or EG. I kept my emails very brief and respectful, and his replies were likewise.

Perhaps, to keep him from being bombarded, one person could write a message that many could sign on to; many on this board have expressed their displeasure such that I could cosign.

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #14 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:48 pm

My email would just say whatever he does, please hire a GM that values athleticism, defense, and who isn't math-challenged. An honest, open, loyal guy would be refreshing, too. My years of observing a reactive GM have made me want one who's proactive and who values improving through the draft over getting a few bucks here and there.

Whoever he hires will be an improvement.

closg00 · Post #15 » by **closg00** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:52 pm

^^^

We also need talent evaluators and a development plan for our rooks.

Donkey McDonkerton · Post #16 » by **Donkey McDonkerton** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:59 pm

Why dont we list out the things we as fans would do, or think is needed. Appoint someone here to actually list it out and convey it in a nicely written email and send it to Ted...or maybe we can start a thread and ask him to please read it.

Stuff like
-Hire a competent medical staff. Over the past few seasons we have seen so many players misdiagnosed resulting in longer rehab and recovery times.

Donkey McDonkerton · Post #17 » by **Donkey McDonkerton** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:19 pm

After we get all of this stuff listed out, we can make a thread for ted. I'd make it now, but dont want it to be too cluttered with junk.

I'll gladly send the link (thread) and letter to ted if nobody else wants to.

I'll keep throwing ideas out there, as long as someone can expend and say it better

-Need a new name change (Wizards? enough said)
-Better scouting (overseas) and better player development
-Value our draft picks and stop giving them away

Post #18 » by **Ruzious** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:43 pm

ITIT - In Ted (and his 10 commandments) I Trust.

But please get a new GM.

Post #19 » by **montestewart** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:51 pm

Stop overpaying middling veterans (Daniels, Songaila, Stevenson) to fill out the roster. Maybe there's a better way to phrase that, but it hinders young player development, while filling reducing cap flexibility and cluttering the roster with hard-to-move contracts.

verbal8 · Post #20 » by **verbal8** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:12 pm

For non-superstars contracts with the a final year team option. If that had been the case with Songalia, Stevenson and Daniels the Wizards would be in a lot better shape. They would not have Mike James because Daniels could just have expired. Songalia could have been kept(no Oberto) or traded this year. And it would not have been necessary to dump Haywood. Maybe Butler gets dealt to Dallas, but the Wizards are getting rather than giving the Sweeteners.