GT #35: Rockets @ Wizards 7 PM CSN

[dandridge 10]

Beal should lose his starting spot. Give it to Webster.

Beal has not played well, but what exactly has Webster done the last few games? He has been as invisible as Porter lately.

Give him more shots and lets see.

I'm just done with Randy. He has taken them as far as he can. Big these guys a big time coach and lets see what we really have.

I don't care if Randy stays or gos. However, Martell is getting open looks. He is either not taking them (he passed up several open looks tonight) or he is missing open shots. He simply is not being aggressive enough. I don't blame Randy for that.

[hands11]

AH. Just boiled down to they made some plays down the stretch and the Wizards didn't.

Got it Randy.

Why did it happen ? He couldn't give them that answer.

He just doesn't know. He doesn't understand. Plays? Line ups ? Guess that has nothing to do with it ?

Says they were short cutting everything for 2 1/2 quarters. Well where and the hell was the HC ? Why are they allowed to get away with that ?

Randy has lost this team. Or isn't leading them. Or has the wrong line ups. Or all the above. One things is for sure, he isn't getting the most out of them. He is a poor game times coach. Game time coaching is a different skill then practice coach. Practice coach is an assistant. Game time coach has his team ready. Creates the best match ups. Fixed problems when they are happening. Changes line up in time. Runs the right plays.

They get it done. They don't just tell you why they failed in a post game interview.

[Dark Faze]

Witt can stay. Hard to get a strong coach during the season and our assistants are terrible.

GM change should happen tomorrow though. Not only because we don't need Ernie making panic short term moves but because it's genuinely going to take a quality GM time to scout our team and figure out what needs to be done. You can't fire EG at seasons end and give our new GM just a week or two to figure out what he wants to do before the draft, free agency, etc.

[dandridge 10]

EG goes before Witt - no matter what. If we want to let one go, let them both go and let the new GM pick the new coach.

I agree. We have had a revolving door of coaches here the last few years and the Wizards continue to stink. There has only been one constant....Ernie Frickin' Grunfeld. Its simply shuffling chairs on the Titanic until that guy is gone.

[hands11]

Give him more shots and lets see.

I'm just done with Randy. He has taken them as far as he can. Big these guys a big time coach and lets see what we really have.

I agree, Randy time is done.

He put Beal in to cover a Harden who was looking to close it out.

Enough said.

Result. Harden being Harden set him up. Pump fake. Beal fouls him on the 3 pt line.

[Dark Faze]

EG goes before Witt - no matter what. If we want to let one go, let them both go and let the new GM pick the new coach.

I agree. We have had a revolving door of coaches here the last few years and the Wizards continue to stink. There has only been one constant....Ernie Frickin' Grunfeld. Its simply shuffling chairs on the Titanic until that guy is gone.

I agree but to be fair the coaches have been terrible

Flips teams have quit on him consistently, Ed Tapscott isn't an NBA coach, Eddie Jordan is literally coaching Rutgers right now, Randy is trash...

*shrug*

It would help if we had an GM and owner that wanted to start with a decent coach for once. Just a suggestion.

[hands11]

EG goes before Witt - no matter what. If we want to let one go, let them both go and let the new GM pick the new coach.

I agree. We have had a revolving door of coaches here the last few years and the Wizards continue to stink. There has only been one constant....Ernie Frickin' Grunfeld. Its simply shuffling chairs on the Titanic until that guy is gone.

Sorry but that is total BS.

EFJ was here forever and he wasn't EG's pick as coach and EG couldn't get ride of him. Even tried to bring in Tibbs to help EFJs non defensive ways but got overridden. How does that happen ? How could make that call ?

Sanders was brought in to coach a vet team and he was a good land considering the franchise at the time. Then Gil did gungate and the team was blown up. Changed owners, etc. That coaching move never had a chance to do what it was brought in to do. He didn't sign on to do a rebuild.

Randy was put in charge for two year as an intern coach while they finished out the culture change rebuild. The players like him and it was a good fit for where they were.

Moving to Newman if he wants the job wouldn't be changing coaches to often. Randy has clearly reached the peak of his skill set. He isn't a good game time coach. Its early enough in the season to change gears and get some where. Randy needs to come down with the flu so we can see what Newman looks like for a game.

How good do you'll think Newman is ? Hell, I would have fun watching Sam do it at this point. He has nothing to lose taking over for the rest of the year.

[dckingsfan]

A coaching change just buys EG time. Fire both at once or wait until the end of the season and fire them both then.

[hands11]

EG goes before Witt - no matter what. If we want to let one go, let them both go and let the new GM pick the new coach.

I agree. We have had a revolving door of coaches here the last few years and the Wizards continue to stink. There has only been one constant....Ernie Frickin' Grunfeld. Its simply shuffling chairs on the Titanic until that guy is gone.

I agree but to be fair the coaches have been terrible

Flips teams have quit on him consistently, Ed Tapscott isn't an NBA coach, Eddie Jordan is literally coaching Rutgers right now, Randy is trash...

*shrug*

It would help if we had an GM and owner that wanted to start with a decent coach for once. Just a suggestion.

Well sadly, the way Abe had this team, that was the best they could do at the time. I think they are primed under Ted to do better with both GM and HC. Changes coaches now doesn't by EG anything. He is in charge right now, he needs to do his job while he is. And who knows. Maybe the move is to put EG as VP only and get a new GM. Maybe its more transitional. Either way, change the coach when you need to and they need to.

They have Newman. Lets get some of the SA vibe going.

[dckingsfan]

If Ted is going to make his change his press conference should go like this:

Ted: I have been disappointed by the direction of the team to this point. I have accepted the resignations of both Ernie Grunfeld and Coach Wittman.

XYZ will assume Ernie's duties until the end of the year. He will be replaced with a permanent GM at that time and will not be considered for the permanent GM job.

ABC will replace Coach Wittman until the end of the season. He will be replaced by a new coach hired by our new GM.

[dckingsfan]

Question is does this really help us this season? Probably not... does removing EG earlier help us? Possibly.

[JWizmentality]

Looking at the upcoming schedule, we could be out of the playoffs by February. In the bloody East!!

Sent from my LG-VM696 using Tapatalk 2

[dandridge 10]

AH. Just boiled down to they made some plays down the stretch and the Wizards didn't.

Got it Randy.

Why did it happen ? He couldn't give them that answer.

He just doesn't know. He doesn't understand. Plays? Line ups ? Guess that has nothing to do with it ?

Says they were short cutting everything for 2 1/2 quarters. Well where and the hell was the HC ? Why are they allowed to get away with that ?

Randy has lost this team. Or isn't leading them. Or has the wrong line ups. Or all the above. One things is for sure, he isn't getting the most out of them. He is a poor game times coach. Game time coaching is a different skill then practice coach. Practice coach is an assistant. Game time coach has his team ready. Creates the best match ups. Fixed problems when they are happening. Changes line up in time. Runs the right plays.

They get it done. They don't just tell you why they failed in a post game interview.

These guys are big boys. They are professional athletes getting paid handsomely to play a game. They are trying to make the playoffs and they got shellacked last night by the Pacers. They know they are 1-12 against good teams and they have been booed the last couple times playing at home. If the players need a head coach to get them to play hard, AT HOME, against another good team, then there is something wrong with the players.

I keep on hearing change the line-ups. With what? You really think starting Vesely or Seraphin will make a difference? Sure, they might have a good game, but then they disappear for the next 5. They simply are not good players and Booker is nothing more than an energy bench player that is thrust in the starting line-up because Seraphin and Vesely suck and Nene can't stay healthy. Wittman HAS given both Vesely and Seraphin chances. They have pissed them away, time and time again.

Play calling? You really think other coaches are drawing up plays and designing defensive schemes that are much different than Randy's? Do you really think Randy is telling them not to share the ball, not to get out in transition, or to shoot long 2's? And, why doesn't he just sit a player that is not executing his plays or following his directions....because there is no player worth a damn on the bench to take that players spot.

The funniest thing is that a majority of the posters on this board, as well as so-called NBA experts, predicted the Wizards would be a mediocre, borderline playoff team this year because of the talent they have on the team. They didn't make this prediction based on the fact Wittman was the coach. Now that the Wizards are performing EXACTLY how most people predicted them to play based on their talent, people say Wittman is not getting the best out of them! HUH?.

As I said before, I don't think Wittman is the greatest coach in the world. But, just like I have repeated over the last several years, the coach is not the real problem on this team.

[hands11]

Man.. If you missed it.. Here is how it went. Its was magical.

83-59 with 5:50 to go in the 3rd. Wizards down 24

Webster just come in for Beal.

Wall, Webster, Trevor A, Kevin S, Nene

Kevin S made a bad entry pass to Nene causing a turnover. He then ran down court and blocked Terrance Jones who was driving. That started a fast break by Wall who took it end to end.
Houston missed Wall went end to end again. Fouled FTs.

Down 20 with 5:00 in the 3rd
Terrance drives and scores.
Wall drives again. Fouled by Howard .. Wall 1-2
Kevin S takes the charge on Lin
Wall mid range.. misses
Lin long 3 misses
Nene mid range misses
Harden drives for 2
Wall to Nene to Kevin.. Kevin misses dunk but TA get the rebound and dunks
Foul on KS guarding Howard. 1-2
Kevin from top of key for 2
Terrance drives for 2
Trevor A for 3
Harden opps to Howard
Kevin S pump fakes, scores and fouled. 4th on Howard. He goes to the bench
Harden long shot misses
Wall drives fouled. 2-2
Harden long shot misses Webster called for lose ball foul off ball 2-2 down 19
Nene to the basket fouled ... and 1...0-1 lost ball foul trying to stop Kevin S from rebounding. 2-2 down 15
Offensive foul on Houston holding off Kevin.
Wall drives misses..
Houston turnover. Wall last shot of the quarter misses.

So with Kevin S in, in 5 minutes they cut the lead from 20 to 15 and changed the momentum. Then the 4th quarter started the big run.

TA from Nene for a dunk
Brooks 3 ball misses.
TA to Nene to Kevin S. MONSTER DUNK
Garcia for 3
Kevin S sweeping hook for 2
Lins shot blocked by Nene and Kevin at the same time.. TA breaks and fouled. 2-2 Howard back in.
Nene great D on Terrance who misses.. get rebounds.
Wall breaks behind his back for 2... down to 8 Booth comes alive
Howard guarded by Kevin S.. Wall traps.. Turnover.
Wall to Nene to Trevor A under the basket for 2
Kevin S fouled Howard.. no shooting
Howard posting Kevin S who steal it from him..
Webster from 3 shoot. Kevin S rebound misses
Howard posting Kevin S. foul. no shots
Harden long 2 misses
Pick and pop two man game Wall and Kevin S.. Kevin S from 18 for 2 ... down 4
Howard misses inside
Wall end to end..drives .. dished to Kevin S for 2 under the basket.. down 2
Howard moving pick.. turnover...5th on Howard
Wall drives for 2 on Lin.. just broke him down.. GAME TIED. BOOTH GOING NUTS
Jones drives on Kevin and misses
Wall end to end to Nene for 2 and a foul.... WIZARDS HAVE THE LEAD.. NENE on the line 1-1 Up 3 with 6:22

Time out
Howard defended by Kevin S falls on the ground. Kevin PULLED THE CHAIR ON HIM.
Wall breaks . drives and wraps around to Kevin who foot is on the line .. turnover
Howard backing down Kevin S. misses
Post Nene..spins and feeds it out to TA. who misses. KEVIN S REBOUND.. PUT BACK FOR 2.. UP 5 5:20
Lin drives. misses. Howard rebound.. goes up and fouled. 0-2
Wall drives. to Nene.. to Kevin S long 2... short
Harden from key throws it out of bounds
Post to Nene. Spins..and drives.. HE GET HAMMERED... NO FOUL.
Fast break... Harden drives get the same contact... He get the call. 1-1 Wiz up 5 with 4:30

Then magically.. Wall is walking the ball up. They shoot and miss.. get the round.
Wall drives. misses. Wizards rebound..and reset.
Wall pulls it out. Wall dribbles around until there are 4 seconds on the clock and launches a 3
Harden drives..fouled by TA.. Thats where the game change.. commercial time out. Wiz still up 4

Harden goes 2-2 only up 2
Wall walks it up.. TA drives to Kevins S under the basket but he misses
Harden drives.. misses. Howard rebound.. hacked.. going to the line. 0-2
Beal comes in..

Half court set. Beal long 2.. misses
Harden drives for 2 game tied
Wall drives on Lin...off the glass misses
Harden.. one on one.. Harden..sets up Beal..pumps it ... bucket.. and 1.. Wiz down 2
Wall long 2.. misses
Harden travels... Nene had switched on his.. good D by Nene
Post feed to Kevin.. baby hook.. misses. but Houston fouls on the rebound
Two man game with Beal.. Beal drives.. Rejected by Terrance Jones
Lin drives.. dish to Jones for 2... Houston up 5 with 51 seconds.
Nene drives.. fouled by Jones.. 1-2

Wall with amazing D on Lin.. Lin cuts right.. TA jumps in to steal it and almost takes Lins head off.

Lin 1-2 down 5 36 seconds left.
Beal corner 3.. misses . . could have cut it to 2
fouled on the rebound instead. Jones to the line ... makes 2.. games over.

[hands11]

If Ted is going to make his change his press conference should go like this:

Ted: I have been disappointed by the direction of the team to this point. I have accepted the resignations of both Ernie Grunfeld and Coach Wittman.

XYZ will assume Ernie's duties until the end of the year. He will be replaced with a permanent GM at that time and will not be considered for the permanent GM job.

ABC will replace Coach Wittman until the end of the season. He will be replaced by a new coach hired by our new GM.

I think that is asking for to much with them looking to go to the playoffs. Getting one of the assistants to finish the year with EG as GM is probably about as much as they can do. So who would it be. Newman ? With his SA cred I think it would be. That keep things a little more non disruptive. EG stay GM. Newman coaches them into the playoff. Then they reevaluate. Meaning EG is still likely gone but you are saying all that right up front.

If you get a new GM, Newman is likely gone anyway so way say that up front and make everyone a lame duck publicly. You have to give people some sense that there is something to fight for.

[hands11]

AH. Just boiled down to they made some plays down the stretch and the Wizards didn't.

Got it Randy.

Why did it happen ? He couldn't give them that answer.

He just doesn't know. He doesn't understand. Plays? Line ups ? Guess that has nothing to do with it ?

Says they were short cutting everything for 2 1/2 quarters. Well where and the hell was the HC ? Why are they allowed to get away with that ?

Randy has lost this team. Or isn't leading them. Or has the wrong line ups. Or all the above. One things is for sure, he isn't getting the most out of them. He is a poor game times coach. Game time coaching is a different skill then practice coach. Practice coach is an assistant. Game time coach has his team ready. Creates the best match ups. Fixed problems when they are happening. Changes line up in time. Runs the right plays.

They get it done. They don't just tell you why they failed in a post game interview.

These guys are big boys. They are professional athletes getting paid handsomely to play a game. They are trying to make the playoffs and they got shellacked last night by the Pacers. They know they are 1-12 against good teams and they have been booed the last couple times playing at home. If the players need a head coach to get them to play hard, AT HOME, against another good team, then there is something wrong with the players.

I keep on hearing change the line-ups. With what? You really think starting Vesely or Seraphin will make a difference? Sure, they might have a good game, but then they disappear for the next 5. They simply are not good players and Booker is nothing more than an energy bench player that is thrust in the starting line-up because Seraphin and Vesely suck and Nene can't stay healthy. Wittman HAS given both Vesely and Seraphin chances. They have pissed them away, time and time again.

Play calling? You really think other coaches are drawing up plays and designing defensive schemes that are much different than Randy's? Do you really think Randy is telling them not to share the ball, not to get out in transition, or to shoot long 2's? And, why doesn't he just sit a player that is not executing his plays or following his directions....because there is no player worth a damn on the bench to take that players spot.

The funniest thing is that a majority of the posters on this board, as well as so-called NBA experts, predicted the Wizards would be a mediocre, borderline playoff team this year because of the talent they have on the team. They didn't make this prediction based on the fact Wittman was the coach. Now that the Wizards are performing EXACTLY how most people predicted them to play based on their talent, people say Wittman is not getting the best out of them! HUH?.

As I said before, I don't think Wittman is the greatest coach in the world. But, just like I have repeated over the last several years, the coach is not the real problem on this team.

Sorry D. People predict records in part by who the coach is. That is part of the team. And good coaches do make a difference. Clearly its about players as well, but coaching makes a big difference as well. You can get a 10 game swing with a good coach vs bad. 4 or 5 more wins is a 8 to 10 game swing.

You telling me you think SA is playing at the level they do just on talent ? Pops get more out of that group them most coaches could. He built the system they win using. He set the standards. Granted, TD buying into that helps a ton but still.

28 and 8.. In the West ? Coaching matter.

Close you eyes in imagine this. Randy Wittman as HC of SA vs Pops. You think Randy is leading them to a title ? You think people are projecting that to start the year ? Or you think people are going. Randy who is coaching SA ? How did that happen.

[jivelikenice]

Does Ted view this as a character comeback or does he realize that the bigger problem is they were down 25?

Wat is going on with Beal. I would blame health but the bad habits too? This team isn't deep enough to win w/o production form him or Martell.h

[jivelikenice]

D, coaches absolutely matter. The same ppl that predicted us to be a borderline playoff team also expected Atlanta and Toronto to be in a race for the #1 pick, especially now with Horford out. The difference? Wittman. He doesn't have answer in press conferences, he knows cliches. He never says " I'm doing a poor job of having these guys ready". He overextends players minutes because he knows he needs to get on the playoffs to save his job; the last chance he'll have as a HC. Instead of designing ways to get easy shots, his answer is "our top guys need to make plays." We have a mediocre team because Ernie hasn't constructed a balanced team and he built a poor bench. But w/Ariza and Wall being the only two playing well, how can you say Wittman is doing a good job or putting guys in position to win. The argument that these are pros and they should have professional pride doesn't fly with me because that absolves the coach of any responsibility.

[jivelikenice]

Couple of other critiques of Wittman.
1. Why check back in Beal?
2. Why play Harden one on one with Beal
3. Slow to call TOs. Especially when Wall is at 40+ minutes in a back to back. He even said post game its difficult to keep his legs....

[BarnabyJones]

Randy should be fired tonight. Wizards have lost 7 out of the last 8 at home.

Agreed. It's time for a change.