Countdown to Ernie Grunfeld Firing

[Kanyewest]

So is the only way Ernie gets canned is if this team gets in the lottery?

A 4-0 sweep at the hands of Miami in the 1st round makes him get another 2 year contract, right?

A John Wall injury could give EG a "second chance". Or 3rd or 4th?

[hands11]

Wow.

I hadn't given much thought to EG getting extended or not and what it would take this year.

I think in part, Ted is judging him based on how he is executing his plan. If Ted thinks he is executing well, then I think that would count for a lot. I don't think injuries would affect that. There is lots Ted can see that we can't regarding how things are organized and how they are executed.

Webster seems to really like the franchise. Beal seems happy. Blair said he was interested in coming here, right ? While Webster and Blair aren't the biggest names out there, its a sign things are getting better.

Now what would an extension look like ? Another two years ? Hard to see him getting one year or more then two.

[hands11]

@daldridgetnt

No early outs in Wall deal--straight five years, $80M. Owner Ted Leonsis pushed to get deal done, just as he extended Caps' Ovechkin early..




Words can't explain how blessed and happy I am! I want to thank my owner Mr Ted Leonsis, GM Ernie Grunfeld and the whole @WashWizards staff!
5:27 PM - 31 Jul 2013

[closg00]

Ernie will need another year or two to see what he can do with the Okariza expirings and cap space. One year as a playoff team, then a reset. Can't wait for the resigning presser.

[LyricalRico]

Ernie will need another year or two to see what he can do with the Okariza expirings and cap space. One year as a playoff team, then a reset. Can't wait for the resigning presser.

Yep, if we make the playoffs he's sticking around for a while, as any GM in that position probably would.

[Dat2U]

Only one question remains, does Ernie get extended before the season starts or does he enter the final year of his deal under lame duck status?

Does Teddy reward Ernie for all of his work without seeing the results or does he leave Ernie & the entire front office spinning in the wind until we actually see what this team can do? I hope it's at least the latter but I'm afraid Ted may be ready to claim victory and reward Ernie before the Wizards ever step on the court next season.

[tontoz]

Ernie will need another year or two to see what he can do with the Okariza expirings and cap space. One year as a playoff team, then a reset. Can't wait for the resigning presser.

Yep, if we make the playoffs he's sticking around for a while, as any GM in that position probably would.

No GM with EG's record would still have a job, nor should they.

[Ruzious]

Only one question remains, does Ernie get extended before the season starts or does he enter the final year of his deal under lame duck status?

Does Teddy reward Ernie for all of his work without seeing the results or does he leave Ernie & the entire front office spinning in the wind until we actually see what this team can do? I hope it's at least the latter but I'm afraid Ted may be ready to claim victory and reward Ernie before the Wizards ever step on the court next season.

Ernie certainly worked hard the last 2 weeks negotiating Wall's contract. That was some serious negotiating - back and forth and such. Yessireebob. And he didn't just settle on the first PG he could think of and over-pay before going on his semi-monthly 2 week vacation. The man is a workaholic and a master strateegerist - and has been an inspiration to the entire organization - leading it to untold sucksess.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Only one question remains, does Ernie get extended before the season starts or does he enter the final year of his deal under lame duck status?

Does Teddy reward Ernie for all of his work without seeing the results or does he leave Ernie & the entire front office spinning in the wind until we actually see what this team can do? I hope it's at least the latter but I'm afraid Ted may be ready to claim victory and reward Ernie before the Wizards ever step on the court next season.

Other organizations that should reward their GM:

--GS for example, fired Keith Smart, dipped down to 23 wins under Jackson in year one but with a very young lineup, but they doubled their wins the next season. Seth Curry had a pretty nice run in the playoffs.

--Houston gutted their team and emerged with James Harden and now Dwight Howard. They rebuilt brilliantly.

--Brooklyn managed to snag a couple HOFers to go along with Lopez and Deron Williams.

--Atlanta added Millsap at a bargain, after drafting a couple of studs, Nogueira and Schroeder. Their team payroll is much less than the Wizards. (Cap guys, you know better than I).

And, there's the Wizards ....

Last year was a year where Webster exceeded expectations greatly. Beal found his shot. Wall had a tremendous March, where he hit 10-22 threes. (Check the other months' three point shooting for Wall). He played with confidence. Okafor bounced back and played better than he has in years. Ariza's a solid player. The Wizards added length and rangy perimeter players who defend the three and who hit the three. Washington went years without having any players defend like Temple is capable of doing. Wall got a lot better defensively (even though some guys still gave him fits). LAST SEASON EG's moves generally worked out well. Wittman has been a better coach than Flip Saunders. Last year the Wizards got much better defensively, and Wall matured under Randy Wittman. Health seemed to be the only drawback.

Oh, but I have a sick feeling about last year's positive moves. I can't stand this GM. I think if he stays this team will peak at the 45-48 win mark the could achieve this season. The young backcourt is solid but the front court needs shaking up. Okafor is in a contract year, as is Ariza. Nene's health is tenuous. It's hard to feel great about the long term, even if the wins should have a sharp up turn this season. One injury to Wall changes things. Same with Okafor and Nene.

We shall see what happens. I expect an EG contract just like Wall just got his fat contract -- before the wins.

Ted Leonsis rewarded Wall before the fact and I think he won't even wait for the playoff run that foreseeably should occur.

[Nivek]

Only one question remains, does Ernie get extended before the season starts or does he enter the final year of his deal under lame duck status?

Does Teddy reward Ernie for all of his work without seeing the results or does he leave Ernie & the entire front office spinning in the wind until we actually see what this team can do? I hope it's at least the latter but I'm afraid Ted may be ready to claim victory and reward Ernie before the Wizards ever step on the court next season.

Ernie certainly worked hard the last 2 weeks negotiating Wall's contract. That was some serious negotiating - back and forth and such. Yessireebob. And he didn't just settle on the first PG he could think of and over-pay before going on his semi-monthly 2 week vacation. The man is a workaholic and a master strateegerist - and has been an inspiration to the entire organization - leading it to untold sucksess.

The negotiations went something like this:

ERNIE: John, we'd like to offer you the maximum salary on a 5-year contract.

WALL: I don't know. I deserve it...

LEONSIS: You've certainly earned it!

DAN FEGAN: Don't interrupt.

LEONSIS AND ERNIE (in unison): Yes sir.

WALL: As I was saying... Obviously I deserve a maximum deal, but to stay with the Wizards? (looks at Fegan) Can't you do any better?

FEGAN: John, this is the most they can pay you. It's the most anyone can pay you.

WALL (sighing): I should have hired Falk.

ERNIE: Please sign the contract.

LEONSIS: PLEASE! We'll market you as the leader of our next big three. That worked so well last time.

WALL glances out the window as Ernie checks his watch.

ERNIE (whispers to LEONSIS): This is taking longer than I thought. I have a massage...

LEONSIS drops to his knees. ERNIE joins him on the floor. They shower Wall's feet with kisses.

ERNIE and LEONSIS: Please sign. Please oh please oh please oh please...

WALL kicks them away and stands.

WALL: Fine. I'll sign.

[tontoz]

^^ While you are joking it probably isn't far off.

These agents are professionals. The typical former player, like EG, is going to be overmatched at the negotiating table against those guys. Put a professional in EG's place and there is no way Wall would be signing a 5 year deal right now.

[closg00]

Wizards owner Ted Leonsis: ‘Until we make the playoffs, I’ll say we’re getting an incomplete to failing grade’

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wiz ... ing-grade/

[closg00]

Leonsis also played down the influence of his ties to Georgetown to the selection of Porter. “To be blunt, whether Otto came from Georgetown or Syracuse, we would’ve drafted him,” said Leonsis, a Georgetown alum. “He was what we needed. He fits what we’re trying to have. Great teammates. High character. High basketball IQ. Play roles. Play multiple positions. We want to be able to have a lot of flexibility to play big, play small, play a running game. So the coach and GM were totally on the same page and Otto was who we wanted.”

More from the article^. Again the decision makers were "unanimous" on the Porter selection. Why do I envision Ernie as the slippery politician who waits until he hears what his boss thinks, then chimes-in that he-too wants to select who the boss wants. Ted needs a fresh start with a new GM, Grunfeld is stale and has been coasting too-long as Wizard GM.

[hands11]

Wizards owner Ted Leonsis: ‘Until we make the playoffs, I’ll say we’re getting an incomplete to failing grade’

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wiz ... ing-grade/

“One of the reasons we wanted to do this and do it early is to remove the ‘I-need-to-get-stats,’ ” Leonsis said. “By doing this, it should send a message to John and the team that we’re about team results, not about individual stats. Everyone has their contract, everyone is taken care of. There is nothing to worry about, there are no distractions. I also made a commitment to have a drama free off-season. I think this organization has had enough drama.”

Leonsis is hopeful that Wall can serve as the catalyst to attract more talent in the future and silence doubts that the organization is serious about winning.

Leonsis is hopeful that Wall can serve as the catalyst to attract more talent in the future and silence doubts that the organization is serious about winning. “We’re not shy about spending,” Leonsis said. “We just look and we want to have three, four, five players that we have drafted who are long-term contributors. We want to be able to make trades – we’ve done that – to bring some vets. But then we want to have an opportunity to bring in that one, transformational, marquee free agent. But free agents only want to come to teams that they know are stable, that are making the playoffs and that they think can be additive to get you over that hump and that they know are willing to make that investment.”

Dirk would be a name like that.

[closg00]

Hoopsworld Top-6 FO's and 3 honarabable mentions.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/the-top-6-nba ... nt-offices

[hands11]

Wizards owner Ted Leonsis: ‘Until we make the playoffs, I’ll say we’re getting an incomplete to failing grade’

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wiz ... ing-grade/

“One of the reasons we wanted to do this and do it early is to remove the ‘I-need-to-get-stats,’ ” Leonsis said. “By doing this, it should send a message to John and the team that we’re about team results, not about individual stats. Everyone has their contract, everyone is taken care of. There is nothing to worry about, there are no distractions. I also made a commitment to have a drama free off-season. I think this organization has had enough drama.”

Leonsis is hopeful that Wall can serve as the catalyst to attract more talent in the future and silence doubts that the organization is serious about winning.

Leonsis is hopeful that Wall can serve as the catalyst to attract more talent in the future and silence doubts that the organization is serious about winning. “We’re not shy about spending,” Leonsis said. “We just look and we want to have three, four, five players that we have drafted who are long-term contributors. We want to be able to make trades – we’ve done that – to bring some vets. But then we want to have an opportunity to bring in that one, transformational, marquee free agent. But free agents only want to come to teams that they know are stable, that are making the playoffs and that they think can be additive to get you over that hump and that they know are willing to make that investment.”

Dirk would be a name like that.

Or maybe this fella.

http://wizardsxtra.com/2013/08/01/kevin ... e-wizards/

[closg00]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1743 ... on-wizards

[Dat2U]

Leonsis also played down the influence of his ties to Georgetown to the selection of Porter. “To be blunt, whether Otto came from Georgetown or Syracuse, we would’ve drafted him,” said Leonsis, a Georgetown alum. “He was what we needed. He fits what we’re trying to have. Great teammates. High character. High basketball IQ. Play roles. Play multiple positions. We want to be able to have a lot of flexibility to play big, play small, play a running game. So the coach and GM were totally on the same page and Otto was who we wanted.”

More from the article^. Again the decision makers were "unanimous" on the Porter selection. Why do I envision Ernie as the slippery politician who waits until he hears what his boss thinks, then chimes-in that he-too wants to select who the boss wants. Ted needs a fresh start with a new GM, Grunfeld is stale and has been coasting too-long as Wizard GM.

Yeah, the whole unanimous thing really bothers me. It makes me wonder if the Wizards front office is more of a group think situation where differentiating opinions are stifled. You want to appease the GM & Owner? Then get with their line of thinking or else. I remember the Vesely selection being unanimous as well. If that really was the case then everyone should have been canned.

[nate33]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1743702-washington-wizards-10-worst-roster-moves-of-the-past-10-years?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=washington-wizards

What a terrible article. The author has no idea what he is talking about.

He ranks the Arenas for Lewis trade as the 3rd worst in EG's tenure. That's preposterous. Arenas did absolutely nothing during the last 3.5 seasons of his contract (post trade) while being paid $70M. By making the trade, we ended up paying roughly the same amount of money over the same period of time, but instead of a very small amount of horrific production from Arenas, we got 1.5 seasons of mediocre role-player production from Lewis plus 2 full seasons of quality, starting-caliber production out of Okafor and Ariza.

He ranks the Jamison for Ilguauskas trade as the 7th worst, when in fact, Jamison was horrible for Cleveland and Ernie saved $15M while tanking and landing Wall. That was maybe Ernie's 2nd best trade of his tenure.

He ranks the Eddie Jordan firing as the 5th worst when all Jordan did in the ensuing years was fail spectacularly as the head coach for Philly (turning a 41-win team into a 27-win team) and then fail as the offensive coordinator for the Lakers, leading them to miss the playoffs for the first time in the Kobe era.

He ranks the Vesely signing as merely the 12th worst move when it was most likely one of his top 3 worst moves. Vesely is a spectacular bust. Of the last 100 top 10 picks, I count just 10 guys who could be considered busts of the same magnitude (Rivers, W.Johnson, J.Alexander, Thabeet, Morrison, S.Williams, O'Bryant, Sene, Araujo, and J.Flynn).

He doesn't even mention other horrible moves like trading a future 1st for Crittenton, or trading away 2nd round pick for cash when Blair was on the board.

[closg00]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1743702-washington-wizards-10-worst-roster-moves-of-the-past-10-years?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=washington-wizards

What a terrible article. The author has no idea what he is talking about.

He ranks the Arenas for Lewis trade as the 3rd worst in EG's tenure. That's preposterous. Arenas did absolutely nothing during the last 3.5 seasons of his contract (post trade) while being paid $70M. By making the trade, we ended up paying roughly the same amount of money over the same period of time, but instead of a very small amount of horrific production from Arenas, we got 1.5 seasons of mediocre role-player production from Lewis plus 2 full seasons of quality, starting-caliber production out of Okafor and Ariza.

He ranks the Jamison for Ilguauskas trade as the 7th worst, when in fact, Jamison was horrible for Cleveland and Ernie saved $15M while tanking and landing Wall. That was maybe Ernie's 2nd best trade of his tenure.

He ranks the Eddie Jordan firing as the 5th worst when all Jordan did in the ensuing years was fail spectacularly as the head coach for Philly (turning a 41-win team into a 27-win team) and then fail as the offensive coordinator for the Lakers, leading them to miss the playoffs for the first time in the Kobe era.

He ranks the Vesely signing as merely the 12th worst move when it was most likely one of his top 3 worst moves. Vesely is a spectacular bust. Of the last 100 top 10 picks, I count just 10 guys who could be considered busts of the same magnitude (Rivers, W.Johnson, J.Alexander, Thabeet, Morrison, S.Williams, O'Bryant, Sene, Araujo, and J.Flynn).

He doesn't even mention other horrible moves like trading a future 1st for Crittenton, or trading away 2nd round pick for cash when Blair was on the board.

The article was indeed terrible, but it has been a slow news day.

Edit: I think Austin Rivers still has a shot to be a difference-maker, he will have a new role this year.