Who should be the next coach of the Washington Wizards?

[WizarDynasty]

Sloan should be our coach if this team has any kind of sense. We desperately need his wisdom of creating high iq superstar point guards from scratch as well as his vision of how to get deep in the playoffs with sub par talent. Let him install Utah ground foundation which includes coaches and trainers who will stay in Dc long after Sloan is gone. Grunfeld has shown to be horrible at building organizational BBIQ and Sloan at least offsets Grunfelds weaknesses. Grunfeld has shown decent ability to make the right choices in a vacuum but doesn't know how to build longterm. Sloan helps greatly in this regard. Leonsis please get him.

[7-Day Dray]

I really hope we don't retain Wittman though. Seems like a move that shows we're content with mediocrity.

[rockymac52]

I think it should depend on whether or not we win the lottery.

If we win the lottery and get Davis, then we might be ready to win some games this year and make a run at the playoffs. If we don't win the lottery, even if we get the 2nd pick and get Beal, and even if we improve significantly, I doubt it will be enough to get into the playoffs. It's possible, but it's an uphill battle and far from a sure thing.

What I'm getting at is I don't think Wittman is our coach of the future. I don't think the Wizards front office sees Wittman as our coach of the future either. But I think they're content with him for the time being, and they're confident that he will keep pushing them in the right direction, and reinforcing how to play the game the right way, as opposed to potentially setting us back even further.

Wittman is a stop gap hire. If we don't get Davis, then there realistically aren't any expectations for this team. Maybe we're getting better, or maybe we already ARE better since the Nene trade, but there is absolutely no pressure to succeed this coming season. We could go 22-60 and no one would think anything of it. And it would be incredibly easy to let Wittman go after a bad year like that. Then hopefully we'll add another lottery pick and ideally a near max contract free agent (Harden please!), and our youngin's will all of a sudden be in their 3rd or 4th years in the league and coming into their own.

There's no pressure to win this coming season. The season afterwards, however, it's time to start winning some games and competing in the playoffs. If we aren't winning games by then, well, we're in trouble. So let Wittman keep doing what he's doing for another season, if we continue to suck, it's no big deal, as long as we continue to reinforce good habits for our players and discourage the bad ones. And if we manage to significantly improve this season, then who knows, maybe things are going well with Wittman leading the way, and we'll give him another shot.

What I'd like to see is another year of Wittman and a respectable improvement across the board, both in individual talent and in wins. I honestly don't expect too much out of this team next year with Wittman in charge (or with anybody else for that matter), so if we could improve our record to something like 35-47, that would be fantastic, IMO. Then we say thanks for keeping us headed in the right direction Witt, but we're going to go with a different direction next year. Then we get our "coach of the future". Ideally he'll inherit a team with several quality players who are now very comfortable in the NBA, and a team that's moving in the right direction. Then we'll continue our development and momentum and get to at least .500 and be in the mix for a playoff birth in our new coach's first season.

We can't hire our "coach of the future" this season unless we think we have a really good shot at making the playoffs. It's a terrible way to start things off if our new "coach of the future" leads us to a **** 35-47 record in his first year (even though that's a heck of an improvement from the last three years). When we get our "coach of the future", I want to be ready to be a team that wins more often than it loses. That's the signal that the losing culture that this franchise has had for a while is finally gone.


But yeah, if we win the lottery and get Davis, then maybe we have a legit shot at the playoffs this year. Maybe not. I love the guy, but at the end of the day, he's going to be a rookie in the NBA. Even if he puts up great stats for a rookie, he's still a rookie, and he's still adjusting and learning the game. I can't expect him to single-handedly add 20 wins to our record in his first year. That would be absurd. But I think it'd be reasonable to be optimistic if we got Davis, in which case it might be prudent to get our "coach of the future" now instead of essentially throwing the towel in on this next season before it even starts.

[hands11]

I have a ton of respect for Sloan but I think he is on the wrong side of 70 to be the Wizards coach. It could still work but his age is a factor.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wiz ... _blog.html

But the silence – and lack of aggressiveness in pursuing other potential candidates – has raised speculation amongst agents and rival league executives that they all will be brought back.

A person who has spoken in recent weeks to President Ernie Grunfeld said “reading between the lines” from their conversations left the impression that Wittman would be retained. The person added, however, “Hey, I could be wrong.”

According to multiple league sources, Wittman was in Washington last week and recently had a face-to-face meeting with owner Ted Leonsis. A source that confirmed the meeting was unsure if it was a perfunctory get-to-know-you session or a formal interview.
--

Fans like to see the big slash when they have suffered through losing season after losing season but as Dan has shown us, the offseason splash doesn't mean you are building a winning team or organization. In my view, it is more important that the team avoid making stupid long term mistakes then that they land big names. All they need to do at this point is keep bringing in solid personality player with great work ethics and talent that fits. Let the team gel. They already have a nice roster of talent that when healthy allowed them to play 10 deep. The team that finished the season is no way as bad as their season record. If they just come back with what they ended the season with I think they would make a playoff run.

Its not all about top 5 picks. Look at SA.

Keeping Whitman and drafting Beal would be the most seamless transition into next season. I would also be happy with Robinson if they think they can find a SG elsewhere and draft Robinson. Robinson brings a skill set to this team that they don't currently have and could end up being a nice replacement for Nene in 3 years.

KS and Ves can play center.
Nene, Booker and Robinson can man the PF with J Singleton getting minutes at SF with C Singleton and Martin.

The future could be

Robinson, Nene, Booker at PF
Veslely and Kevin at Center

That would be a solid front court to build around as they are coming into their prime in 2-3 years. Wall should start becoming a beast starting next year and will go on a long run. That gives them plenty of time to rotate in new SGs and SFs as needed.

If they could get Robinson, sign a vet like Ray Allen for two years and land a quality back up PG, they will make a nice playoff run and be set up nicely moving forward. Or a trade down to get some of those other solid prospects. Players like Drummonds and Perry could end up legit studs. Just sure the Wiz are established enough to get the most out of them. Where those players land will be important regarding what they turn into.

[7-Day Dray]

^^So you're content with us being solid? I'm sorry, I'm just not behind bringing back Wittman at all. If we were to bring back Wittman, I have a feeling that a lot of the decision was based on our 6-game winning streak to end the year. If we ended up going 3-3, I think we would be talking to other coaches by now.

Too many times did I see the offense looking out of sync. And I still don't think the system our players to the best of their abilities. Teams don't win championships with an average coach. It's not all about going for the big name. It's about choosing a coach that can lead you to the promise land. Wittman is not that kind of a coach. I'd easily take Jerry Sloan or an assistant from a winning franchise like Mike Budenholzer from SA over Wittman.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If the Wizards luck out and get Davis, the franchise becomes more attractive immediately and I suspect someone like D'Antoni or Stan Van Gundy, or even Jeff Van Gundy will express interest. If Davis is the pick I don't think Randy will get to coach him.

[hands11]

^^So you're content with us being solid? I'm sorry, I'm just not behind bringing back Wittman at all. If we were to bring back Wittman, I have a feeling that a lot of the decision was based on our 6-game winning streak to end the year. If we ended up going 3-3, I think we would be talking to other coaches by now.

Too many times did I see the offense looking out of sync. And I still don't think the system our players to the best of their abilities. Teams don't win championships with an average coach. It's not all about going for the big name. It's about choosing a coach that can lead you to the promise land. Wittman is not that kind of a coach. I'd easily take Jerry Sloan or an assistant from a winning franchise like Mike Budenholzer from SA over Wittman.

Not sure what your talking about in the underlined statement. I said bring in solid players and that they would have a solid front court. Solid as in good solid. Not sure where the content comment comes from. This team is rebuilding. That means you first have to get to solid before you can get to very good.

As for Randy. Not sure what more the guy could have done then he did. If you took all the positive stuff he did with the team and attacked it to a bigger name, I think most people would be doing back flips over the guy. The players respond to him. He is a good coach. He got results. And his personality fits well with the players. He showed more then enough command of the job to get a another year to show more. There is pretty much zero downside in bringing him back.

[hands11]

If the Wizards luck out and get Davis, the franchise becomes more attractive immediately and I suspect someone like D'Antoni or Stan Van Gundy, or even Jeff Van Gundy will express interest. If Davis is the pick I don't think Randy will get to coach him.

"Van Gundy was fired this week after a successful run with the Orlando Magic that included a trip the NBA Finals. D’Antoni resigned after failing to mesh with Carmelo Anthony in New York but he has had success with point guards, from Steve Nash to Jeremy Lin. Both coaches have hinted that they would be willing to sit out at least a year before returning. "

I think it would probably be best for both to do so. Besides. I want neither as the coach. Sloan I could live with.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

This is the most pressing issue for this team this offseason, and the silence on this matter from the organization does seem odd.

They definitely seem to be waiting at least for the lottery. Presumably if they land the #1 pick more and better coaches will be interested. If Wittman was returning regardless you'd think they would of announced that already.

IF they get the top pick, I gotta wonder if Calipari isn't a legitimate possibility.

Personally, Sloan is someone I would be interested in. Would really love it if Stockton was part of his staff. Always have thought he'd make a good coach.

D'Antoni, JVG, SVG, McMillan, are all reasonable choices. If Wittman is back I think that signals the organization is again considering it a rebuilding year and continuing the course of giving the young players minutes and getting another high draft pick.

[Rafael122]

I also think they're waiting for the lottery to see how things pan out. And they could also be targeting Spurs and Thunder executives for all we know. Ideally, you would love to have a coach in place before the draft, if its Wittman or someone else.

[hands11]

http://washingtonexaminer.com/sports/ch ... und/651281

If they get the number 1 pick, there is less of a rush to pick a coach since everyone seems clear on who is going #1. If not, you want your coach evaluating the talent. Right now which Randy still on the payroll, he would be doing the evaluating.

[verbal8]

I also think they're waiting for the lottery to see how things pan out. And they could also be targeting Spurs and Thunder executives for all we know. Ideally, you would love to have a coach in place before the draft, if its Wittman or someone else.

I don't have any special knowledge about the situation, but this seems like the best explanation to me.

I think the Wizards probably like Wittman(or someone in the Thunder/Spurs org) as a teaching coach. With Sloan/SVG and D'Antoni available there is not a rush to lock down a big name established coach if that is the direction the Wizards choose to go.

If Davis is the pick I think the Wizards are in a position to choose the coach and would likely go the route of an established coach. I think if Thomas Robinson is the pick, there could be a similar coaching move.

If the pick is MKG or Drummond(shudder) I think that it is most likely Wittman is retained or a young up and coming coach is hired.

Beal is a bit in between. I don't think he will be great as a rookie, but the target for the play-offs and starting to contend becomes 2013/4. Here it could make a lot of sense to keep Wittman and look for the best available coach next offseason.

[fishercob]

A few possibilities:

1) Wittman is the guy. That said, if this were the case I think they would have made the call a month ago. What's gained by waiting to announce it if the decision has been made.

2) The D'antoni rumors were true and it they are hoping to hire him. Maybe he's given them a "yes" so long as job X doesn't come open (the Clippers?). It is certainly interesting that a few teams (Charlotte, Portland) have had potential coaches linked to them in the press, but D'antoni hasn't been one of those names from what I have seen.

3) The Wizards are talking to everyone -- Sloan, Joerger, SVG, etc -- and are just being successfully secretive about the whole process. The local beat guys certainly don't give the impression that they'll stop at nothing to find out the status of the coaching search, do they?

4) Some combination of the above. They have a short list, but are waiting until the season ends so they can interview all of their guys in succession and make a quick hire.

We will know soon enough.

[Jimmy Recard]

It's reading things like this why i would never forgive Ernie if he signed Mike D'Antoni..

There is a lot of playoff talk in this NBA Today podcast. Predictions about who will win Saturday's Game 7 and both conference finals. There is talk of hard fouls, great coaching, elite defenders, free t-shirts and LeBron James. Luc Richard volunteers to play one-on-one during All-Star Weekend, if they'd have that event. And more.

Then there's more insight than some Suns fans might want into 2007, which is the year Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns thought they would win a title, but lost to the Spurs in a horribly controversial suspension-riddled second-round series. The Suns, as we knew them, would never be the same again.

Jalen Rose was on that Suns team, which he brought up after I asked him about Rick Carlisle, whom Rose once played for:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rose: He made sure we ran hard at shootaround. He made sure we broke a sweat. He made sure we're prepared for the other team's sets. We knew if we were doubling the post. We knew how we were playing pick and roll. Are we hedging on this player, going under on that one. Are we double-teaming? How are we going to play those down screens certain players are coming off ...

We knew everything.

When you've played for a coach like that, it must be hard to play for a coach who doesn't have those same qualities.

Rose: I played for the Phoenix Suns. 2007. My last season. As were playing against the San Antonio Spurs. And I remember us coming to our first practice before Game 1. And we brought it in. And we were excited about our playoffs getting started. And Coach D'Antoni put in some film. It was Steve behind the back. Amare slam dunk. Shawn Marion with the block. Raja Bell with the charge. It was a highlight film of our team. They have showed me making a shot on there, and I was barely even playing.

So after that he as like all right, we're going to run and down, go through our set plays and whatnot, and we're going to get out of here.

And I looked at Kurt Thomas. I hit him with an elbow. I'm like hold on. I gotta say something.

So I did my Arnold Horshack from "Welcome Back, Kotter."

I'm like "ooh, ooh, ooh, hey coach. I gotta ask a question. Are we going to talk about how we're going to defend Tim Duncan on the post? Are we going to talk about Manu Ginobili in pick and roll? Keeping Tony Parker out of the paint?"

He looked at me in front of the entire team and coaching staff and said: "We're not worried about what they do. If we play to the best of our abilities, and do what we're supposed to do, there is no way they can beat us. We don't mind if Tim goes off. If Tim goes off, that means everybody else is quiet."

So, people gave us a pass. And we were a great team. And Robert Horry did knock my guy Steve Nash into the scoreboard. And Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw got up off the bench and I should have been paying attention and being a vet, and grabbed Amare -- maybe I'd have a ring to this day.

They walked out on the floor, they get suspended late in the series, and we did lose that game.

But we really lost the series in Game 1. When the guy that couldn't beat us by himself -- Tim Duncan -- he only had 40 and 20 in Game 1. [Ed. note: Actually 33 and 16.]

So that's really when we lost the series.

You're saying that if Rick Carlisle coached that team ...

Rose: Breeze through. I have a 'chip. I would have a 'chip.

That's gotta be a bad feeling.

Rose: It is what it is.

[Ruzious]

Unless they have a great young coaching prospect in mind, they might as well keep Wittman - for continuity sake - considering there was very good development among several of the young players - other than Wall. I don't think he'd do any worse than a recycled coach who's been found wanting elsewhere.

[pancakes3]

I agree with your premise Ruz, but I don't think SVG fits the bill quite as much as D'Antoni. SVG has been totally jobbed twice in his relatively short head coaching career. I hope he gets a fair shake the next time around, Wizards or not.

[Ruzious]

I agree with your premise Ruz, but I don't think SVG fits the bill quite as much as D'Antoni. SVG has been totally jobbed twice in his relatively short head coaching career. I hope he gets a fair shake the next time around, Wizards or not.

Agreed - though I think SVG brutally sabotaged his future with the way he outed his superstar - by telling the press that Howard wanted him fired. I'm sure that gave him some short-term satisfaction and probably took some guts, but doing that publicly makes you look like somebody management can't trust - and management hires and fires - so that's a bit o career suicide.

I don't blame SVG. I'm sure he felt betrayed by a superstar center for the second time - Shaq being the first. That would give me a martyr-complex, too.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

It's reading things like this why i would never forgive Ernie if he signed Mike D'Antoni..

There is a lot of playoff talk in this NBA Today podcast. Predictions about who will win Saturday's Game 7 and both conference finals. There is talk of hard fouls, great coaching, elite defenders, free t-shirts and LeBron James. Luc Richard volunteers to play one-on-one during All-Star Weekend, if they'd have that event. And more.

Then there's more insight than some Suns fans might want into 2007, which is the year Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns thought they would win a title, but lost to the Spurs in a horribly controversial suspension-riddled second-round series. The Suns, as we knew them, would never be the same again.

Jalen Rose was on that Suns team, which he brought up after I asked him about Rick Carlisle, whom Rose once played for:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rose: He made sure we ran hard at shootaround. He made sure we broke a sweat. He made sure we're prepared for the other team's sets. We knew if we were doubling the post. We knew how we were playing pick and roll. Are we hedging on this player, going under on that one. Are we double-teaming? How are we going to play those down screens certain players are coming off ...

We knew everything.

When you've played for a coach like that, it must be hard to play for a coach who doesn't have those same qualities.

Rose: I played for the Phoenix Suns. 2007. My last season. As were playing against the San Antonio Spurs. And I remember us coming to our first practice before Game 1. And we brought it in. And we were excited about our playoffs getting started. And Coach D'Antoni put in some film. It was Steve behind the back. Amare slam dunk. Shawn Marion with the block. Raja Bell with the charge. It was a highlight film of our team. They have showed me making a shot on there, and I was barely even playing.

So after that he as like all right, we're going to run and down, go through our set plays and whatnot, and we're going to get out of here.

And I looked at Kurt Thomas. I hit him with an elbow. I'm like hold on. I gotta say something.

So I did my Arnold Horshack from "Welcome Back, Kotter."

I'm like "ooh, ooh, ooh, hey coach. I gotta ask a question. Are we going to talk about how we're going to defend Tim Duncan on the post? Are we going to talk about Manu Ginobili in pick and roll? Keeping Tony Parker out of the paint?"

He looked at me in front of the entire team and coaching staff and said: "We're not worried about what they do. If we play to the best of our abilities, and do what we're supposed to do, there is no way they can beat us. We don't mind if Tim goes off. If Tim goes off, that means everybody else is quiet."

So, people gave us a pass. And we were a great team. And Robert Horry did knock my guy Steve Nash into the scoreboard. And Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw got up off the bench and I should have been paying attention and being a vet, and grabbed Amare -- maybe I'd have a ring to this day.

They walked out on the floor, they get suspended late in the series, and we did lose that game.

But we really lost the series in Game 1. When the guy that couldn't beat us by himself -- Tim Duncan -- he only had 40 and 20 in Game 1. [Ed. note: Actually 33 and 16.]

So that's really when we lost the series.

You're saying that if Rick Carlisle coached that team ...

Rose: Breeze through. I have a 'chip. I would have a 'chip.

That's gotta be a bad feeling.

Rose: It is what it is.

Jimmy Recard, I don't want D'Antoni either.

I really have prepared myself to accept that is who Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld will hire. He's an Italian American. He just coached New York. He fits the profile. Big name coach. D'Antoni has a lot of experience and he's going to get lots of exposure as an assistant coach with Team USA in the upcoming Olympics. I guess names mean a lot, but he's not even who I would hire.

I had a college professor who loved to kid around with us. When we had a question about something he would leave us bewildered a while, smile, and say, "It should be intuitively obvious to even the most casual observer." He would invariably point us in the right direction. A lot of times the answer was simple, too. Who the Wizards should hire is SIMPLE.

Dave Joerger is young. He won titles in the IBA, the CBA, and the NBDL. The guy was coach of the year in the CBA and NBDL.

http://www.nba.com/coachfile/david_joer ... l?nav=page

An omen: There is a player from Moorhead State that I talked about for well over a year before he was drafted. Kenneth Faried. Where did Dave Joerger attend and play his college basketball? (Trivia: Phil Simms also went to Moorhead.)

Doclinkin first mentioned Dave Joerger at least 3 years ago. He could have been the coach when Flip was hired. Joerger is the assistant right now to Lionel Hollins, but after Memphis lost to the Clippers he needs to move on or be the Grizzlie coach IMO. Now is the time for him to bolt.

The NBA is so cliquish and there is so much nepotism and ineptitude it really bothers me. Tom Thibodeau had to wait until forever to get a job. I can't see why on earth people run to hire 70-yr Jerry Sloan or 61-yr old Mike D'Antoni. Jalen Rose said it above and the Knicks didn't play a lick of defense under him. I just as soon stay with Randy Wittman. He's had crap talent, but may be just as good as D'Antoni, who has always had loaded rosters.

Sorry for the rant, but the younger man, Dave Joerger won in the minor leagues with players being called up left and right. He can coach and he can develop players. This is an EASY, NO BRAIN decision. Just like Kenneth Faried was well qualified and his future success easy to predict, so is Dave Joerger.

[closg00]

Joerger was interviewd by the Cats so he is on other teams radar.

Since we are already paying $4 million for Flip, I'd be surprised if added more salary for a new coach while Flip is still on the books. That and D'Antonio would be a bad fit with this roster full of non-shooters.

[dobrojim]

Isn't Leonsis greek-american? And why should we think that even if D'Antoni and
Ted actually were of the same ethnic background that that would influence Ted
enough to make him the hire. I would suggest that Ted didn't get to where he is
by letting his decisions, important decisions, be influenced by superficialities.