Why not us?

[Ji]

I am really perplexed why we are not being mentioned in any Free agent activity with regards to the Big names. The team is in a very exciting situaton and should be at the top of all the free agents wish list. What is the problem here?

-John Wall is coming
-2 other picks in the draft
-Proven Great owner in Ted Leonisis
-Big Market
-A rising young Power forward that put up 20-10 numbers in 2nd half of the season
-All star caliber guard in Arenas
-Potential for McGee to blow up
-big Market on the east coast
-A chance for the free agent to have a legacy in a city that has been downtrodden
-Have gotten rid of most players that had a culture of losing

Why would a Lebron or Wade or even Bosh not consider coming here. Lebron would take us to the finals...Wade would bring us close. Bosh makes us a 50-55 win club. We are much better position than many of the teams with cap space.

I find it hard that Ted wouldnt at least talk to Lebron or Wade. How many times do you get a chance to land a top 1-3 player in the World. There is no wait till 2011. The time is now..Why not us?
-

[miller31time]

We're still perceived as a 2nd-class organization that doesn't know how to manage our players (maybe that will change under Ted, maybe it won't - the fact is, it hasn't yet). Gilbert Arenas is not as big of a draw as you're making him out to be, whether he deserves to be or not. Other than the incoming John Wall, our youngsters aren't seen as anything special. I don't think many people see Blatche as a 20/10 bigman, either. They probably see him more as that kid who has attitude problems and a record of soliciting prostitution.

[closg00]

^^^^^
What Miller said We are a 2nd-tiered and poorly run organization. The change in ownership will hopefully turn things around in a few years.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Well to be Ji's advocate, other than Chicago and Miami, the rest like NY, NJ, LAC and alike are all second class organizations that have shown time and time again that they too are poorly run. Arguably with less talent too.

Of course that's why everyone is talking about Lebron and Wade to Chicago, lol...

[montestewart]

Well to be Ji's advocate, other than Chicago and Miami, the rest like NY, NJ, LAC and alike are all second class organizations that have shown time and time again that they too are poorly run. Arguably with less talent too.

Of course that's why everyone is talking about Lebron and Wade to Chicago, lol...

NY, NJ, LAC have NY and LA. DC can think of itself as an important 2nd city, like Chicago or Miami, but has a long was to go to have the cachet of NY or LA.

As to the original list, the arrival of Leonsis and Wall, while exciting, must contend with the preexisting culture here, and much of the list is to some degree tied to that culture. Free agents, media. etc. will probably take their time in analyzing whether those two are really enough to turn it around.

Arenas was (it seemed to me) almost a big time star after his fantastic three year run. Getting hurt and out for two years knocked him off that pedestal, but what a story it would have been had he played his cards right, come back, focused on defense rather than on getting 7.4 assists a game, left his guns at home, kept his mouth shut, and become once more the leader of the team.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Well to be Ji's advocate, other than Chicago and Miami, the rest like NY, NJ, LAC and alike are all second class organizations that have shown time and time again that they too are poorly run. Arguably with less talent too.

Of course that's why everyone is talking about Lebron and Wade to Chicago, lol...

NY, NJ, LAC have NY and LA. DC can think of itself as an important 2nd city, like Chicago or Miami, but has a long was to go to have the cachet of NY or LA.

Arenas was (it seemed to me) almost a big time star after his fantastic three year run. Getting hurt and out for two years knocked him off that pedestal, but what a story it would have been had he played his cards right, come back, focused on defense rather than on getting 7.4 assists a game, left his guns at home, kept his mouth shut, and become once more the leader of the team.

If Arenas did all that we wouldn't have gotten a shot at Wall. For once we can drop the "curse" talk and talk about "blessings in disguise". For the organization at least.

In terms of NY and LAC, I wasn't talking city and media as much as I was hitting on Miller's point that we are a poorly run or second class organization. Fans of those teams can barely spell playoffs anymore. Compared to those two we're nearly the San Antonio Spurs.

[miller31time]

In terms of NY and LAC, I wasn't talking city and media as much as I was hitting on Miller's point that we are a poorly run or second class organization. Fans of those teams can barely spell playoffs anymore. Compared to those two we're nearly the San Antonio Spurs.

The two points aren't mutually exclusive, though. You can be a 2nd-class organization but if the market is good enough (and Los Angeles and New York are two of the biggest, most profitable markets out there - trumping D.C by a sizable amount), it has the potential to off-set whatever organizational problems may exist.

[montestewart]

In terms of NY and LAC, I wasn't talking city and media as much as I was hitting on Miller's point that we are a poorly run or second class organization. Fans of those teams can barely spell playoffs anymore. Compared to those two we're nearly the San Antonio Spurs.

The two points aren't mutually exclusive, though. You can be a 2nd-class organization but if the market is good enough (and Los Angeles and New York are two of the biggest, most profitable markets out there - trumping D.C by a sizable amount), it has the potential to off-set whatever organizational problems may exist.

Yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of #2 has to try harder, and the Wizards haven't yet done that. But I hear the "blessings in disguise" too. I don't expect a miracle, but Leonsis and wall arriving virtually together is reason for a whole lot of optimism.

[miller31time]

In terms of NY and LAC, I wasn't talking city and media as much as I was hitting on Miller's point that we are a poorly run or second class organization. Fans of those teams can barely spell playoffs anymore. Compared to those two we're nearly the San Antonio Spurs.

The two points aren't mutually exclusive, though. You can be a 2nd-class organization but if the market is good enough (and Los Angeles and New York are two of the biggest, most profitable markets out there - trumping D.C by a sizable amount), it has the potential to off-set whatever organizational problems may exist.

Yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of #2 has to try harder, and the Wizards haven't yet done that. But I hear the "blessings in disguise" too. I don't expect a miracle, but Leonsis and wall arriving virtually together is reason for a whole lot of optimism.

Agreed. Whether we land a LeBron, Wade, Bosh or...nobody - we're still in a pretty good position. 29 other teams in this league would love to get their hands on a player like John Wall. And solid ownership is quite hard to come by.

[doclinkin]

Why? Because Ernie says exactly nothing. And Ted says he'd prefer to build through the draft instead of overpaying 'strangers'.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Why? Because Ernie says exactly nothing. And Ted says he'd prefer to build through the draft instead of overpaying 'strangers'.

Those and that Gil is perceived as a loose canon (or should I say a loose Gold Plated Desert Eagle?) that hasn't won playoff series.

Washington's been so bad that the frontrunning free agents won't touch this team.

I think firing Ernie probably would have helped attract FAs.

I also don't see Flip Saunders as anybody bigtime FA would flock too, either.

[Dat2U]

We're still perceived as a 2nd-class organization that doesn't know how to manage our players (maybe that will change under Ted, maybe it won't - the fact is, it hasn't yet). Gilbert Arenas is not as big of a draw as you're making him out to be, whether he deserves to be or not. Other than the incoming John Wall, our youngsters aren't seen as anything special. I don't think many people see Blatche as a 20/10 bigman, either. They probably see him more as that kid who has attitude problems and a record of soliciting prostitution.

Yep, most people don't think its a sure bet Gil is on the roster next year so it's hard to call him a drawing card.

Blatche has still got a negative rep. Absolutely no one thinks of him as 20 & 10 guy yet. Some feel he's still part of problem as opposed to being part of the solution. Wilbon will tell you we need to dump him too along with Arenas.

Until we completely clean house, in the media's eyes, we'll remain a 3rd class organization. Even the Clips are held in a higher light than we are. Probably b/c they are in LA.

[MJG]

Outside of a few select special cities that will always get attention, you generally get ignored unless you're a winner. We haven't been a winner for decades. Now, if Wall lives up to the hype, maybe in a couple of years, things will change.

[Bickerstaff]

I think firing Ernie probably would have helped attract FAs.

You are officially nuts.

[Donkey McDonkerton]

we ARE a 2nd class organization..nobody wants to come here, we suck(ed) and everyone knows that....but I can tell you one things. **** THIS ****, **** about to change!!!!!

TED, Wall, Arenas, Blatche

[Ji]

What classifies an organization is its top management. No offense to the Pollins but this is why we have been a 3rd class losing organization that hasnt won 50 games in a season since the 1970's. With our new owner, this should instantly vault us to a first class org if anyone knows anything about Ted Leonsis. I dont think its a process...it can be an instant change.

[montestewart]

I think firing Ernie probably would have helped attract FAs.

You are officially nuts.

A bunch of us here reached that point a long time ago.

[montestewart]

What classifies an organization is its top management. No offense to the Pollins but this is why we have been a 3rd class losing organization that hasnt won 50 games in a season since the 1970's. With our new owner, this should instantly vault us to a first class org if anyone knows anything about Ted Leonsis. I dont think its a process...it can be an instant change.

Leonsis can change procedures immediately, but perceptions may take longer.

[barelyawake]

I'll say again, what do you think it would take to bring West out of retirement? I believe between West and Ted we could attract free agents. I just hope we don't half step on mid-range free agents (especially those who don't play defense). Either full tank or really go for it. I'll tell you one thing though, if Wade and LeBron team up, you can forget the next three seasons anyway. I just hope we have well constructed plans that envision the future (taking into account future drafts and free agents).

[montestewart]

I'll tell you one thing though, if Wade and LeBron team up, you can forget the next three seasons anyway.

I recall the first finals I ever paid attention to in 1970 (?); the Lakers had Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain, and the Knicks beat them. In 2004, the Lakers had Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and Payton, and the Pistons beat them. You're probably right, but nothing like that is set in stone. Failure to mesh, poor supporting cast, injuries, etc. can derail a great plan.