Who should be the next coach of the Washington Wizards?

[rockymac52]

Well, there you have it, it seems. One more year of Randy Wittman.

Scott Jackson also tweeted: "Grunfeld cited Wittman's rapport with players and his contract status when asked if he would be back next season #Wizards"

"His contract status"...

Does that mean since Wittman had another year left (I think that's correct) we just let him finish it out?

Even if that's the case, Grunfeld should know better than to say so publicly. That's a real slight to Wittman, IMO.

[Rafael122]

This is the worse thing that could happen to the team. So basically Ernie is hanging Wittman out to dry, if he fails, fire him it's no big deal it's the last year of his contract.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Well, there you have it, it seems. One more year of Randy Wittman.

Scott Jackson also tweeted: "Grunfeld cited Wittman's rapport with players and his contract status when asked if he would be back next season #Wizards"

"His contract status"...

Does that mean since Wittman had another year left (I think that's correct) we just let him finish it out?

Even if that's the case, Grunfeld should know better than to say so publicly. That's a real slight to Wittman, IMO.

Honestly, I think he earned the right to coach this season but I wouldn't want him on the books past this season until I knew for sure he was the real deal.

Randy Wittman coached before and had TERRIBLE players. One thing the Wizards did under Wittman was play a whole lot better defense than I've seen them play in years. Personnel surely had a lot to do with it. Wittman seems to have his pulse on exactly what the team needs to do. I like his honesty. I like what I've seen of his coaching, with the exception of the times he lets Crawford chuck the ball.

I am okay with this for now, but I surely hope Joerger is available should Randy falter.

[hands11]

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.

I think that is true regardless of the draft pick. There is no need to lock in an expensive coach right now. They have an identity they bought into. That is tough D when inside out play, P&R and Wall fast breaks. No reason to change that because it looked good and it was effective. They have a coach they respond to and respect who is already signed and so is his staff. There will always be a name brand coach to bring in. Its not like this is the last year there will be other coaches to look at that are good candidates. There options are going to get better, not worse.

[hands11]

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.

Flip is not on the books. That was in the WP link I posted.

[hands11]

It's not so much that I dislike Randy Wittman. It's just that, rarely do I see a coach change his M.O so drastically from one team to another. While I liked the development of our young bigs under his tutelage, I'm reminded that we faced some incredibly weak competition at the end of last season and that, that winning streak not-withstanding, Randy probably wouldn't be under serious consideration for return next year.

I also think this team, this franchise, this fanbase -- needs a splash. A move that says to everyone "we're building something special here." Wittman doesn't work in that context. MDA doesn't really scream that to me either, but Stan Van would.

Changing coaching just to please the marketing department is a losing why of thinking. Very Dan Snyder and la Suz way of thinking, The splash will be the improved record we will have next year and the inspired defense. When that happens, the Randy story will market itself.

[hands11]

http://www.slamonline.com/online/news-r ... -as-coach/

Report: Wizards Will Retain Randy Wittman As Coach


Hours after the Clippers announced they will keep Vinny Del Negro on board as head coach, it looks like the Wizards will elect to do the same with interim coach Randy Wittman, who took over midseason for Flip Saunders. Washington finished with the second-worst record in the NBA in 2011-12, but did finish the season with a 6-game winning streak. Bullets Forever has the details of the report, which first came from ESPN Radio 980 DC’s Scott Jackson: “In a move that has become more and more of an inevitable one as the days have gone on, Randy Wittman will be the Washington Wizards’ head coach next season, general manager Ernie Grunfeld told ESPN 980′s Scott Jackson. Wittman will return after posting an 18-31 record after taking over for Flip Saunders in mid-January. The news isn’t surprising because the Wizards haven’t been involved in any coaching rumors since the season ended. Once Ted Leonsis made the decision to give general manager Ernie Grunfeld a two-year contract extension, it ushered in the path for Wittman to return as well. Grunfeld has repeatedly said that he thought Wittman did a good job with the team last year.”

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Sigh. I guess we can lock this thread now.

[Higga]

Hoo ray for retaining mediocrity.

[Wizardspride]

Randy Wittman HAS NOT been named head coach. Yet.

https://twitter.com/?tw_e=screenname.../JacksonSports

Scott Jackson ‏@JacksonSports


Again to reiterate Grunfeld did not say Wittman is coach next yr. He says under contract.

Scott Jackson ‏@JacksonSports

My feeling is still Wittman is guy. The #Wizards for now appear to be keeping wiggle room if a bigger fish comes along or contract issues.

[rockymac52]

@Chris_Broussard: Bobcats contacted Stan Van Gundy about their head coaching position, but were told by SVG that he may take next season off, sources say.


Good. Let Wittman coast this year, hopefully he doesn't do anything negative, and if he doesn't lead us to the playoffs then give him the boot and give SVG a call.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I won't be shocked if Randy gets them near 40 wins and a playoff birth. Watching Indiana and Philly in the playoffs, I don't think the Wizards are that for off. Orlando stinks iMO. Atlanta is athletic on the wings but Nene neutralizes what they have inside and Kevin can score on them.

People are going to be pleasantly surprised by the Wizards next season IMO. I kind of don't want that, but so be it if Randy sticks as coach. If he gets talent on the roster he will do what other coaches have done: Win.

[Tyrone Messby]

This is exactly what is wrong with Ted Leonsis as owner. He accepts mediocrity. HOOORAY.

[hands11]

Randy has not been mediocre. Why do people act like he was. What more could he have done then what he did ? He took over a team that was losing and undefined and simplified the play book. Got them playing D Benched Dray. Played KS. Get the pick and roll working. Tanked until it was in the bag sitting Nene. Brought him back in time to win 6 to close it out. Got Wall playing great PG. Integrated a few D leaguers. Got the players trust. And was always a class act.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

^ I do agree about him being a class act. As to the rest, I can't really see one major decision that wasn't patently obvious... Of course that makes him better than Flip, the Eds and Gar Heard... i.e mediocre, but certainly above the bar for this franchise.

[cdouglas]

At least Leonsis will give you a chance to prove yourself. Says alot about his character.

[mohammed10]

Hoo ray for retaining mediocrity.

+1

[queridiculo]

I have no problem with Wittman getting a shot to earn a job next year. This next year is still very much a transitional year, and though I expect progress, I think the do or die year for this team will be in 2013 when Washington has considerable wiggling room under the cap.

If I'm Leonsis I probably would have done the same thing. Your GM is only under contract for two more years, and you're still on the hook for the headcoach he chose to be his guy.

[Higga]

Randy have not be mediocre. Why do people act like he was. What more could he have done then what he did ? He took over a team that was losing and undefined and simplified the play book. Got them playing D Benched Dray. Played KS. Get the pick and roll working. Tanked until it was in the bag sitting Nene. Brought him back in time to win 6 to close it out. Got Wall playing great PG. Integrated a few D leaguers. Got the players trust. And was always a class act.

I don't get fooled by late season stretches when we beat a bunch of sorry teams or playoff teams resting guys.

Wittman is an older retread coach. The future upside is very low with him.

I'd rather go out and try to get the next Thibodeau/Brooks, a younger guy who can grow with the young team.

[manifested]

Some people here seem to be thinking that Wittman isn't a good coach because of his prior record. So I looked up his rosters at previous head coaching gigs.

Here's the roster of the 1999-2000 Cleveland Cavs. They went 32-50
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2000.html

Top 5 Minutes:
Shawn Kemp
Lamond Murray
Bob Sura
Andre Miller
Wesley Person

Here's 2000-2001
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2001.html

Andre Miller
Lamond Murray
Clarence Weatherspoon
Chris Gatling
Matt Harpring

Not exactly talent laden there. He got Ilgauskas's rookie year, Andre Miller's first two years in the league, Shawn Kemp's swan song, and a bunch of guys who should have been bench players (and were at other stops).

In 2006-2007 he took over 40 games into the year in what would be Garnett's last year in Minnesota. IIRC, there was a ton of talk all year (and the previous summer) about Garnett's tenure and the possibility of trading him. Other than Garnett can you name someone who would start on a quality playoff team? Randy Foye is a part time starter at best. Other than that you're looking at a bunch of scrubs.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2007.html

The following year was the year of the post-Celtics trade. Jefferson was pretty good. But he had a lot of youth, most of which hasn't panned out. Green flamed out, Foye turned out not to be as good as people thought, Telfair same, Corey Brewer same.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2008.html

He was fired 20 games into the following year (Kevin Love's rookie season).
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2009.html

It's tough to judge a guy's coaching ability based on those rosters. Doc Rivers record with the Celtics was terrible with pretty much the same core of guys (+Paul Pierce) as Wittman's most recent full season. I'm not sure if Randy Wittman is a good coach. But based on what he did this year, he did a good job. He both has the support of the players and he disciplined them. He made changes to the offense to take advantage of the player's strengths. He had the team playing scrappy and hustling defense. Even forgetting about the winning streak*, we saw players improve during his time.

Sorry for the long post. The point is, maybe Randy Wittman sucks. Maybe he's Doc Rivers. I don't know. But it seems a little unfair to judge him based on his prior coaching record.