IMAGE--Changing the Wizards

[W. Unseld]

You may recall I wanted something like a 30 for 30 done on how much fun Juwan Howard, C-Webb and later Blatche, Javale etc. had in the district so it would be more attractive to free agents. I think Washington also boasts better restaurants than 2/3's of the league and better culture (museums, live performances etc.) than 3/4 of the league and these facts never come out.

One author has a slightly different take on the same thing, I agree with his as well and do think it starts with the fans controlling/influencing what we can control/influence:
http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/3 ... -john-wall

"But winning isn't enough of a difference-maker for a team like the Wizards. There are other teams in similar spots that are pursuing the same strategy. Atlanta has gobs of cap space after Danny Ferry remade the team. Cleveland, led by Kyrie Irving, has a similar number of young, buzz-worthy players and flexibility for years. Detroit just made two big free-agent moves and has a brilliant young frontcourt. Portland has last year's Rookie of the Year and a retooled bench that can convince its superstar to stay. New Orleans has the league's most intriguing backcourt and a former No. 1 pick coming into his own up front. And just wait until Masai Ujiri does his magic in Toronto.

The key, then, is Q rating. The Wizards are competing with those teams not only for wins, but for national attention. The top free agents in the league will have plenty of up-and-coming teams to choose from when their contracts end, so why should they sign with the Wizards? The only way is because they think the atmosphere is exciting, the infrastructure sound, the surrounding talent complimentary. And the only way for them to even notice and start to think about those qualities is if their new franchise vaults its way into the national conversation.
So, this is my call to fellow Wizards fans. If SportsCenter's highlight package of a Cavs-Wizards game shows Kyrie Irving more than Wall, complain about it. Lobby for more Wizards inclusion. Carry out a public campaign to get people to recognize Wall, Bradley Beal and the rest of the team as a rising club."

[penbeast0]

I always thought we should be a prime target for foreign players with all the embassy parties and contacts they can make for after their careers. Yet nothing ever gets pushed in that direction . . . where's Susan O'Malley when we need her?

[Dat2U]

Image changing the Wizards? IMO it has to start at the top. Leonsis had a great opportunity to do so a few years back but he refused to clean house because his massive ego wanted to show that any idiot (his friend Ernie) can follow his 10-point plan and have success. Well, almost 4 years later and were still waiting.

I don't think anything else matters. As long as Leonsis puts his ego ahead of the product that's on the floor then nothing is going to change.

[Upper Decker]

Image changing the Wizards? IMO it has to start at the top. Leonsis had a great opportunity to do so a few years back but he refused to clean house because his massive ego wanted to show that any idiot (his friend Ernie) can follow his 10-point plan and have success. Well, almost 4 years later and were still waiting.

I don't think anything else matters. As long as Leonsis puts his ego ahead of the product that's on the floor then nothing is going to change.

/THREAD

[queridiculo]

Bingo, the Wizards need an ownership change in the worst way.

[W. Unseld]

The Clippers have managed to change image w/o changing owners. Starting a thread about ownership is a totally separate thread for one thing and probably about as effective as Don Quixote charging windmills, take it from a Redskins fan.

I do think the article is correct that there are several teams doing the clear out space thing that should be improved from last year so the Wiz need something to distinguish themselves. Our free agent image is probably pretty bad since Kornheiser is always talking about the curse, everyone thinks the name stinks, Barkley never misses an opportunity to get a dig in and even the Grantland staff makes their jokes. Come to think of it Van Pelt makes Wiz jokes or digs quite a bit too. Image change and image management won't solve everything but they sure can't hurt.

[barelyawake]

Our selling point is the city. Detroit and Cleveland aren't DC. What DC is must be made clear in media and to ownership. This is a major city. We deserve a major sports team. We deserve management and ownership to treat this city as a major city. And we need fans demanding the same on talk radio and in print.

That and continually spreading Durant rumors are what a fan can do.

[DCZards]

Our selling point is the city. Detroit and Cleveland aren't DC. What DC is must be made clear in media and to ownership. This is a major city. We deserve a major sports team. We deserve management and ownership to treat this city as a major city. And we need fans demanding the same on talk radio and in print.

That and continually spreading Durant rumors are what a fan can do.

Agree with the city of DC being a huge selling point for free agents. On top of that, this is a basketball-loving area that has produced, particularly PG County, several current NBA players, including Durant. Give this town a winning franchise and IT"S ON!

Going to the game tonight...looking for a W!

[MJG]

I'll start being bothered by being treated like a second rate organization when we stop acting like a second rate organization.

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

You may recall I wanted something like a 30 for 30 done on how much fun Juwan Howard, C-Webb and later Blatche, Javale etc. had in the district so it would be more attractive to free agents. I think Washington also boasts better restaurants than 2/3's of the league and better culture (museums, live performances etc.) than 3/4 of the league and these facts never come out.

This is the main problem.
There are way too many restaurants now.
Infinite restaurants and block after block of CVS stores.

The new DC simply cannot compete with Miami, Los Angeles or New York City.
Those cities are not what they once were but what they do have is nicer weather.

Palm trees > overpriced yup filled condos.
Year round nice weather > culture.
The Beach > museums.

Also...

Have you seen the latin women in Miami?
Have you seen the latin women in New York City?

The illegal, pear shaped central American women of Columbia Heights, Herndon or Langley Park will never be on the same level.

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

^ Lebron James residence. One of them





^ John Walls residence.

Where would you rather live?

I have heard there is a brand new 24 hour Walgreens down the block from John Wall's place.
Please do not let that influence your answer.