Poll: Grade Ernie Grunfeld

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I know, I was pointing for the post above mine. The rest was for the thread.

Edit.

CCJ, you know I was talking about an earlier post right?

I don't even know the post but you've said my pride has caused me to reach a lot a be inaccurate ...

To which I answer: You're calling it pride. I'm going through a sea of change the likes of which could kill a lesser man. I'm just having fun expressing opinions. Have I been wrong lately? A lot more than in the past! Yep. No doubt about it.

Now, who have I offended? Probably just those who either hate McGee or love Flip. Or, those who in the past said Blair was no good or that Cousins wouldn't make it in the league. Hopefully, I've only offended them because I've posted beliefs contrary to theirs.

If I've been rude to you, MF23, I really apologize.

One thing I have to accept, however, is everybody's not going to like me. That's your choice. Just know I've got absolutely nothing against you. I have no recollection of any disagreement with you. I don't even know what you're talking about now.

I reversed course on thinking the Wizards would win 50 because preseason really went badly the last three or four games. I've reversed course on Flip because of his comments the past few weeks.

Been wrong? Season hasn't even started yet. I'm hoping they do win 50 but thinking 30 is a better bet.

I don't know what to think about Grunfeld.

[MF23]

Whoa CCJ. Nothing like that.

I was only responding to the post on the last page where you were talking about Milsap. It was just an observation that sometimes you reach on underdog guys who do or don't pan out. You can't take credit for the good reaches and then not acknowledge the others you liked from those drafts who didn't work out.

Sorry to hear your going through some stuff. I always exercise when I'm feeling bad it helps me channel some of that frustration and makes me stronger mentally and physically.

Dude I like reading your post. I wouldn't attack you and as I've said before I respect what you say. Sorry for the confusion, this board is for fun and I hope we continue having it.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

It's all good, MF23. Your feedback actually helps.

I only mentioned being right about Millsap, what, about 1153 times?

As for the not acknowledges it's not that I won't be the first to admit I'm wrong. Usually, they just don't come up in conversation any more. Lately, I've found it better that some guys like Hendrix or Almond just make money somewhere else. But MF23, yeah, I'm wrong a lot on reaches.

Exercise is a must and something I'm fighting to make myself do lately ... (my warning sign that I'm down).

Last, it's def all good. Don't worry about me and this is last I'll mention anything I'm going through. I just offered that up to tell you the for real. I was a lot more accurate in the past IMO....

This is all in fun. Glad you enjoy--obviously I escape here much for similar reasons.

[DaRealHibachi]

So when are we gonna start the "Grade Flip Saunders" Thread anyway...??? I don't want him gone (yet), but the more I see of him, the more "Flip isn't the right coach for this team" thoughts are going through my mind...

[closg00]

So when are we gonna start the "Grade Flip Saunders" Thread anyway...??? I don't want him gone (yet), but the more I see of him, the more "Flip isn't the right coach for this team" thoughts are going through my mind...

I agree with you DRH, Flip has a poisonous cummunication style that works against him. There is a grade Flip thread a page or two ahead that CCJ started.

[Dat2U]

I'd say we should consider the person that hired Flip in the first place. But no, let's just continue to give Ernie an A- for having the genius to draft John Wall and the foresight to trade away Antawn Jamison.

[Illuminaire]

Hey, you never know when a 34 year old power-forward is going to blow up. Dealing an all-star veteran like Jamison was a risky decision any way you cut it.

[closg00]

The roster is set until January, what is your final off-season grade for Ernie?
Here is my breakdown, overall grade C+ with potential to rise to B if Booker is for real.

Trades:
Yi - A (Unloaded Ross and Yi is a fine tryout for the year)
Hinrich -A (Got us the 17th pick and rental of Hinny even if he's over paid)
Booker - D You don't use two draft picks for an energy-player

Off-Season Signings
Armstrong - D (Not expecting much, would have prefered Alabi, Pittman, or even Whiteside
Howard - B (Risky, but could really help us, I would have prefered we draft/sign someone younger.
Martin - B Knows the system and has worked hard to make the team
Hudson - B He was average during the summer, he's not a PG, but he could be a valuable spark off the bench.

Draft - C
Given Gilbert's injury history and Nick Young being well...Nick Young, I feel we should have set John Wall up with new running mates and potential upgrades at SG & SF. Guys with a real chance at stealing someone elses spot on the team.

Seraphin - C May be serviceable in 2 -3 years. Another like-player who is further-developed, most-likely will be available to us via the draft during the time that we are waiting for Seraphin.
Booker - D (See above)
Hamady - C They couldn't give him away for a stash.

[Dat2U]

The roster is set until January, what is your final off-season grade for Ernie?
Here is my breakdown, overall grade C+ with potential to rise to B if Booker is for real.

He gets a C-. Mainly for being in the room when we won the lottery and extending Blatche (which I believe will be a good signing in the long run if not tonight)

Trades:
Yi - C- (Yi stinks and is a waste of cap space, he wouldn't play on a winning team)
Hinrich -D (overpaid guard who's got no business starting and is on a steady decline)
Booker - C- (Better players available when he was drafted)

Off-Season Signings
Armstrong - F (Waste of roster space)
Howard - C (Low risk but injury concerns make his future contributions questionable)
Martin - A (Solid cheap acquisition)
Hudson - C (Undersized SG kept on as our third PG)

Draft - C
Wall was a no brainer. EG didn't make that decision, the lottery balls did. Everything else was a fail.

Seraphin - D (Rawest player drafted in the first round. Rather telling that the coaching staff felt a non-NBA prospect in N'Diaye was more ready that KSera. I have serious doubt he'll ever contribute)
Booker - C- (See above)
Hamady - No grade (Not an NBA quality prospect. But when your drafted as late as he was you can't expect much out of it)

[closg00]

The roster is set until January, what is your final off-season grade for Ernie?
Here is my breakdown, overall grade C+ with potential to rise to B if Booker is for real.

He gets a C-. Mainly for being in the room when we won the lottery and extending Blatche (which I believe will be a good signing in the long run if not tonight)

Trades:
Yi - C- (Yi stinks and is a waste of cap space, he wouldn't play on a winning team)
Hinrich -D (overpaid guard who's got no business starting and is on a steady decline)
Booker - C- (Better players available when he was drafted)

Off-Season Signings
Armstrong - F (Waste of roster space)
Howard - C (Low risk but injury concerns make his future contributions questionable)
Martin - A (Solid cheap acquisition)
Hudson - C (Undersized SG kept on as our third PG)

Draft - C
Wall was a no brainer. EG didn't make that decision, the lottery balls did. Everything else was a fail.

Seraphin - D (Rawest player drafted in the first round. Rather telling that the coaching staff felt a non-NBA prospect in N'Diaye was more ready that KSera. I have serious doubt he'll ever contribute)
Booker - C- (See above)
Hamady - No grade (Not an NBA quality prospect. But when your drafted as late as he was you can't expect much out of it)

So are you warming-up to my idea of Zoubek at 56? Seriously though, Zoub may be a stiff, but at-least he is a post-brawler who knows how to rebound, we could have used someone exactly like him last night and for the rest of this season.

[Dat2U]

I just wanted to post my weekly update stating how horrific an NBA player Yi is considering he's 7-0 250.

I stand by my earlier statements that he's not worth a roster spot or the $4 mil in cap room he's eating up.

We could have done just as well or better than any NBDL prospect. Yi makes James Singleton look irreplaceable.

Oh, and I was dead wrong about Hilton Armstrong. I thought he just sucked be he's far worse than that. He's arguably the worst NBA player I've seen since Michael Ruffin. I guess that means its time for a Hilton Armstrong shrine.

[AceDegenerate]

And these are 2 of GM EG's big acquisitions this summer to.

[LyricalRico]

I'm not worried about Armstrong. I think they were counting on McGee to be more effective and Armstrong only to be a deep bench player. To me that is more about McGee than it is about Armstrong.

As for Yi, I think he can still be effective as a spot up 4 once Arenas/Howard are there to draw the attention of the defense. But right now he's being asked to be a rebounder and also play some center. Those aren't his strengths.

Let's see if Ernie adds some beef to the frontcourt to address these issues. But I understand if he doesn't want to give up assets since this was always going to be a throw-away season anyway.

[TGW]

Ernie should have addressed the small forward spot with one of the first rounders he traded for. Our wing situation is pitiful, and our big man rotation is charmin soft. They also should have kept Seraphin in France, because he's nowhere close to being NBA-ready.

[closg00]

Ernie should have addressed the small forward spot with one of the first rounders he traded for. Our wing situation is pitiful, and our big man rotation is charmin soft. They also should have kept Seraphin in France, because he's nowhere close to being NBA-ready.

A big +1, the irony is that Kahn looks like he drafted better than Ernie.

[JonathanJoseph]

This stuff is lunacy. EG should have addressed the wing needs?

1) Wings are, by far, the easiest position to fill. Loading up on young big men and stud PGs isn't a bad strategy

2) This team was not constructed for this year. It's constructed to have plenty of flexibility to be constructed however fits best in 2 years.

3) I'd say that any team in the NBA would have their "wings" depleted with players the caliber of Arenas and Howard in street clothes.

LOL at people complaining about a a minimum salary backup big man on a 1 year contract. Like he was some big piece of the puzzle that EG screwed up on.

[JonathanJoseph]

The roster is set until January, what is your final off-season grade for Ernie?
Here is my breakdown, overall grade C+ with potential to rise to B if Booker is for real.

He gets a C-. Mainly for being in the room when we won the lottery and extending Blatche (which I believe will be a good signing in the long run if not tonight)

Trades:
Yi - C- (Yi stinks and is a waste of cap space, he wouldn't play on a winning team)
Hinrich -D (overpaid guard who's got no business starting and is on a steady decline)
Booker - C- (Better players available when he was drafted)

Off-Season Signings
Armstrong - F (Waste of roster space)
Howard - C (Low risk but injury concerns make his future contributions questionable)
Martin - A (Solid cheap acquisition)
Hudson - C (Undersized SG kept on as our third PG)

Draft - C
Wall was a no brainer. EG didn't make that decision, the lottery balls did. Everything else was a fail.

Seraphin - D (Rawest player drafted in the first round. Rather telling that the coaching staff felt a non-NBA prospect in N'Diaye was more ready that KSera. I have serious doubt he'll ever contribute)
Booker - C- (See above)
Hamady - No grade (Not an NBA quality prospect. But when your drafted as late as he was you can't expect much out of it)

I'll call you out on your garbage.

First, LOL at the prospect of handing out draft grades after ONE NBA GAME. Such foolishness deserves no response, so let's just look at the other ones.

OK, you gave the Yi move a C-. Since you have to actually have live human beings on a roster, please suggest which NBA player that was available via trade/free agency would have been a better fit for back-up 4 and some minutes at the 5. Please use the real contract sizes when suggesting who would have been a better fit. I'm certain that once you try to suggest an alternate player and the cost of that acquisition, even if Yi remains a poor player that it still becomes a good move.

You give the Hinrich move a "D", but fail to mention that we were GIVEN a 1st round draft pick and so any analysis of that move would be incomplete without mentioning that. So even though the Bulls players regret losing him and other NBA teams have tried to trade for him and he's started on an International Team USA you know better.

I'm done with this....

[TGW]

This stuff is lunacy. EG should have addressed the wing needs?

1) Wings are, by far, the easiest position to fill. Loading up on young big men and stud PGs isn't a bad strategy

2) This team was not constructed for this year. It's constructed to have plenty of flexibility to be constructed however fits best in 2 years.

3) I'd say that any team in the NBA would have their "wings" depleted with players the caliber of Arenas and Howard in street clothes.

LOL at people complaining about a a minimum salary backup big man on a 1 year contract. Like he was some big piece of the puzzle that EG screwed up on.

If wings are the easiest position to fill, how come he hasn't "filled" it in 5 seasons? The last good wing player EG traded for/drafted was Caron Butler, and that was how many years ago? Since then, he's brought in Nick Young, Roger Mason, Deshawn Stevenson, Juan Dixon, and countless other subpar players that haven't been worth their salary. Yes, the position is easy to fill if you consider a warm body as an adequate fill-in.

As for this past draft, what exactly was his draft strategy? It just seems as though he drafted 2 guys, hoping at least one would pan out. I'm not wholly against the guys he drafted, but they sure aren't going to contribute anytime soon. I'm skeptical.

*edit* And to address Arenas and Howard being in street clothes -- well that's nothing new. And that's why neither player is in this team's long-term future, IMO.

[LyricalRico]

*edit* And to address Arenas and Howard being in street clothes -- well that's nothing new. And that's why neither player is in this team's long-term future, IMO.

Bad idea. Prepare to be attacked as a know-nothing who is blinded by his own Arenas hate.

[montestewart]

*edit* And to address Arenas and Howard being in street clothes -- well that's nothing new. And that's why neither player is in this team's long-term future, IMO.

Bad idea. Prepare to be attacked as a know-nothing who is blinded by his own Arenas hate.

Nahh. You can love Arenas and not hate those that disagree. (Can you tell I went to the rally this weekend?) TGW just got here (unless it's just a new name) so why chase him off with bad manners? I have to admit to seeing things in TGW's post and in JJ's that rang true. (Can you tell I went to the rally this weekend?)

We are a rainbow of basketball opinions. Peace, Wizards fans.