Countdown to Ernie Grunfeld Firing

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

He really said that without a hint of sarcasm? Lol, that's rich.

No sarcasm at all.

**** that donkey **** it's guaranteed through the end of next year. That's a paid vacation!

It is like being fired without even having to file for unemployment and with your full check coming in.

If I were in Randy Wittman's shoes I would be booking some winter accommodations near a beach in Costa Rica about now.

[dangermouse]

My seats are diagonally from where Ted Leonsis sits. I don't think I have ever seen Ted look as disgusted as he did tonight. At one point, he threw a piece of paper on the ground and mouthed the word "f***". I sense a change is coming. Although I hope it will be Grunfeld, my guess is Wittman will be a goner by the end of the week.

My sources have located the piece of paper:

"Hey Best Buddy!

First the good news, we are going to have 2 fired coaches on the books. Yeah, I'm done with old Whitty boy. He isn't using the great players I have acquired for him properly. Also I passed him on my way to the sinks in the corporate bathroom, he wouldn't give me a high five.

And now the bad news, I had to cancel our movie night. I know its Shark Week, but Mrs G is making nuggets.

Hugs Bro!!! xxox

The Erninator (aka Gruns Of Fun)"

[closg00]

BTW, here is a shout out to dobrjim who I believe called in to Glenn Consor's post game show to express the opinion of many that Ernie should get his "walking papers". Glenn is such a tool. His response was that he doesn't wish anyone would get fired in this economy. Well, I'm sure EG will be just fine Glenn.

Remember, Censor in effect works for the Wizards, he wouldn't dare bite the hands that feeds him.

[dandridge 10]

BTW, here is a shout out to dobrjim who I believe called in to Glenn Consor's post game show to express the opinion of many that Ernie should get his "walking papers". Glenn is such a tool. His response was that he doesn't wish anyone would get fired in this economy. Well, I'm sure EG will be just fine Glenn.

Remember, Censor in effect works for the Wizards, he wouldn't dare bite the hands that feeds him.

Yeah, I thought of that too. The interesting thing is that Consor did not cut Jim off as Jim summarized the reasons Ernie should be fired. Normally, when Consor doesn't agree with something, he cuts in and interjects his opinion. This time he let Jim roll on. And the only thing he said at the end is that he doesn't like the word "fired" and wouldn't want anyone to be fired in this economy. My guess is Consor agreed with everything Jim said and that is why he let him go on. However, because he is essentially employed by the organization, he felt the need to at least say something at the end.

[closg00]

Morey checking-in on Machado and Donatas at a D-League game. Houston has their own farm system.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/daryl-morey-w ... n-d-league

Instead of prospects, we have Baron and Martin.

[JAR69]

My seats are diagonally from where Ted Leonsis sits. I don't think I have ever seen Ted look as disgusted as he did tonight. At one point, he threw a piece of paper on the ground and mouthed the word "f***". I sense a change is coming. Although I hope it will be Grunfeld, my guess is Wittman will be a goner by the end of the week.

Best news of the day.

[bgroban]

When was the last time an NBA general manager was fired early in a season?

Who would Ted replace Ernie with?

My subtle point is... I think Ernie's job is safe until the end of the season.

[TheKingOfVa360]

When was the last time an NBA general manager was fired early in a season?

Who would Ted replace Ernie with?

My subtle point is... I think Ernie's job is safe until the end of the season.

I agree, I don't see EG getting fired during the season. The earliest he will be fired is around the All-Star break. The more likely situation is Whitman is unfairly axed and we try to bring in a coach with a big name (Nate McMillian)

[Halcyon]

It's too bad, I would rather have a new GM in here to start the process of evaluation and scouting direction as early as possible.

[nate33]

When was the last time an NBA general manager was fired early in a season?

Who would Ted replace Ernie with?

My subtle point is... I think Ernie's job is safe until the end of the season.

I agree, I don't see EG getting fired during the season. The earliest he will be fired is around the All-Star break. The more likely situation is Whitman is unfairly axed and we try to bring in a coach with a big name (Nate McMillian)

It is tough to see Ted firing EG before Wall gets back. If we play .300 basketball with Wall for 30 games, maybe then EG will get the ax.

I really hope EG gets fired before the trade deadline. The best case scenario is that a new GM comes in, evaluates the roster for 10 games or so, and then proceeds to dump contracts and acquire picks at the Trade Deadline to set us up for a quick rebuild. Can we get an expiring contract for Okafor or Ariza? Can we get any kind of late 20's pick for some combination of Booker, Crawford and Vesely? After making those deals, I'd sit Nene for the rest of the year and make a run for a top 3 pick.

If we could go into next season with Wall, Nene, Seraphin, Beal, Webster and Singleton, plus a top 3 pick, a late 20ish pick, a high 2nd rounder, some cap room, and a good GM making decisions; this thing could be turned around pretty quick.

[Jay81]

everytime i log into Real GM or Twitter, i am shocked when i dont see that Ernie has been fired

[closg00]

Even if Ernie is fired, a Ted move would be to promote Ed Tapscott to GM. I'm serious.

[Illuminaire]

Even if Ernie is fired, a Ted move would be to promote Ed Tapscott to GM. I'm serious.

I just threw up a little.

[bgroban]

At the earliest - no matter how poorly our record is - I do not expect Ernie to get the axe until about 20-25 games remaining. I can see Ted giving the new GM some time to evaluate the players, coaching staff, etc.

[TheKingOfVa360]

When was the last time an NBA general manager was fired early in a season?

Who would Ted replace Ernie with?

My subtle point is... I think Ernie's job is safe until the end of the season.

I agree, I don't see EG getting fired during the season. The earliest he will be fired is around the All-Star break. The more likely situation is Whitman is unfairly axed and we try to bring in a coach with a big name (Nate McMillian)

It is tough to see Ted firing EG before Wall gets back. If we play .300 basketball with Wall for 30 games, maybe then EG will get the ax.

I really hope EG gets fired before the trade deadline. The best case scenario is that a new GM comes in, evaluates the roster for 10 games or so, and then proceeds to dump contracts and acquire picks at the Trade Deadline to set us up for a quick rebuild. Can we get an expiring contract for Okafor or Ariza? Can we get any kind of late 20's pick for some combination of Booker, Crawford and Vesely? After making those deals, I'd sit Nene for the rest of the year and make a run for a top 3 pick.

If we could go into next season with Wall, Nene, Seraphin, Beal, Webster and Singleton, plus a top 3 pick, a late 20ish pick, a high 2nd rounder, some cap room, and a good GM making decisions; this thing could be turned around pretty quick.

I agree, Ted is probably thinking this team would be good with Wall (which is a long shot). If Wall comes back and this team still plays poorly then EG and Ted are out of excuses. That will force Ted's hand to make some changes up top. EG has consistently made poor roster moves and trades. How can this team lack a future when we had a number 1 overall pick (Wall), a number 3 overall pick (Beal), a number 6 overall pick (Ves), and a late first (Crawford) via a trade. If EG made the right picks and trades then we would have a great core to build around and would be talked about as a hot young team on the rise. The Ves pick instead of Kawhi Leonard was a huge whiff. Also all the trades have been puzzling. Serious question, has EG every won a trade as the Wizards GM? To my knowledge the answer is a big fat NO!

[AFM]

The worst thing that could happen is for Wall to come back and we play 8th seed ball...not bad enough to get EG canned but not good enough to have hopes of going anywhere

[Nivek]

I agree with the consensus that it's unlikely Grunfeld will get canned during the season. In fact, I'd anticipate him being back next year no matter how bad the team is because of the built-in excuse that Nene and Wall have been injured.

There's a difference between what SHOULD happen and what I think WILL happen.

[Jay81]

No Teds take post today. I wonder whats going on lol

[nate33]

Serious question, has EG every won a trade as the Wizards GM? To my knowledge the answer is a big fat NO!

Yeah, he has won a few.

Kwame for Caron Butler
Jamison's for cap relief and the #30 pick (which he packaged with the #35 to get Booker).
Cap room for Seraphin and Hinrich
Hinrich for Crawford and the #17 pick (used for Singleton)
Arenas' $80M deadweight contract for Lewis' $50M deadweight contract

That's about it for "wins".

His losses are bigger:

#5 pick (Stephen Curry) for a 1-year rental of Mike Miller and Randy Foye
cap room and the #46 for Okariza's deadweight salary
What proved to be the 2011 #20 pick for Javaris Crittenton

There were lots of other stupid moves made, but those are the three big ones

[Nivek]

The 5 pick was Devin Harris.