Wizards at Hawks 7:30 02/19/14

[Nivek]

payitforward is correct. Randy Wittman is not THE problem. He's A problem in that he's not a good coach. But, The Problem is the front office, the roster they assembled and their atrocious mismanagement of player acquisition resources. The fix is what they should have done with the front office three years ago -- clean house and bring in new management. Let that new management pick the next coach. Not Grunfeld.

Not sure why the approach is 'well its Ernie's fault so don't blame Randy'. The roster is flawed and Ernie is bad - I don't think anyone disagrees with that or could argue it. Thats a given and he should not be offered a contract this summer. What's also is a given is that Randy is terrible and isn't making chicken salad out of chicken $hit (my favorite Hard Knocks quote). Sure you can let is play out, but you're losing yet another 30 games of evaluation and development for guys like Wall/Beal/Otto. We've wasted enough time early in their careers. Why not let Newman finish out the season and see what he can do. I mean he immediately played Ariza at the 4 which is something we've been screaming for since the summer. Randy shouldn't be allowed to keep his job because of Ernie's failures. They should both be out. Who cares which one comes first as long as they're both gone this summer!

Let me try again.

Randy Wittman IS a problem. He's not The Problem. Firing Wittman and replacing him with Someone Else isn't going to transmogrify this mediocre roster into a good team. Truly fixing the team means replacing Grunfeld and the front office. Giving Grunfeld a chance to pick the next coach would be a mistake, in my opinion.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Can't remember the last time we won. This team is so underwhelming

[Upper Decker]

Please lose, I'm actively rooting for this team to fail. They are soo close to being 9th in the conference. If they get the 8th spot EG will be retained and Gortat will absolutely be resigned for minimum $40M. If they get the 9th spot it's possible EG, Gortat, and Nene will be gone during the off-season. Tank, tank, tank, tank!

[Illmatic21]

payitforward is correct. Randy Wittman is not THE problem. He's A problem in that he's not a good coach. But, The Problem is the front office, the roster they assembled and their atrocious mismanagement of player acquisition resources. The fix is what they should have done with the front office three years ago -- clean house and bring in new management. Let that new management pick the next coach. Not Grunfeld.

Not sure why the approach is 'well its Ernie's fault so don't blame Randy'. The roster is flawed and Ernie is bad - I don't think anyone disagrees with that or could argue it. Thats a given and he should not be offered a contract this summer. What's also is a given is that Randy is terrible and isn't making chicken salad out of chicken $hit (my favorite Hard Knocks quote). Sure you can let is play out, but you're losing yet another 30 games of evaluation and development for guys like Wall/Beal/Otto. We've wasted enough time early in their careers. Why not let Newman finish out the season and see what he can do. I mean he immediately played Ariza at the 4 which is something we've been screaming for since the summer. Randy shouldn't be allowed to keep his job because of Ernie's failures. They should both be out. Who cares which one comes first as long as they're both gone this summer!

Let me try again.

Randy Wittman IS a problem. He's not The Problem. Firing Wittman and replacing him with Someone Else isn't going to transmogrify this mediocre roster into a good team. Truly fixing the team means replacing Grunfeld and the front office. Giving Grunfeld a chance to pick the next coach would be a mistake, in my opinion.

You didn't address his question though, what's wrong with letting Newman finish out the regular season and playoffs? Intelligent Xs and Os coach with Spurs pedigree. He can't possibly do a worse job than Randy '161-309' Wittman, can he?

[Nivek]

a) What evidence is there that Newman thinks any differently than Wittman?

b) I don't want to do ANYTHING that might increase the odds of Grunfeld remaining the team's GM.

Make Grunfeld play out the season with the players he acquired and the coach he chose.

[jivelikenice]

Fair point...More sake for the sake of change versus having any hard evidence supporting that Newman would do anything differently. And a run lead by Newman would likely mean extensions for everyone.

[jeffsays]

Fair point...More sake for the sake of change versus having any hard evidence supporting that Newman would do anything differently. And a run lead by Newman would likely mean extensions for everyone.

The wizards seemed to respond positively to randy getting ejected. Maybe him getting fired would light an even bigger fire under their behinds. Wishful thinking though.

[FAH1223]

TIME TO LOSE!!! FIRE GRUNFELD, FIRE EVERYONE. WE NEED TO TANK!!!!

_______________________

-------------------------AT-------------------------



Last game:

Raptors - Wizards - 103-93
Hawks - Pacers - 108-98


Lineups:











Bench:

[jeffsays]

^Cartier Martin is starting??

[dlts20]

talent may not be great but its better then what we are playing. Witt is the main cause and he's the main cause due to Wall. Even if everyone else was average, a Superstar could carry you and I do believe Wall would be a Superstar in the right system. I do believe he is capable of 23 & 9 on effecient basketball in the right system. The players around him would look alot better if he played that well. The main problem is Witt. However, even if we axed him, I dont trust Ted to be smart enough to find a coach that fits Wall's strengths to a glove.

To me this is the game where he needs to be axed. I believe weve lost 5 of 6 and the Hawks are terrible right now. An L here and I wouldnt let him coach the next game

[FAH1223]

^Cartier Martin is starting??

Yup. Demarre Carrol did not dress last night with a left hamstring strain. Cartier started vs. IND yesterday.

[Illmatic21]

a) What evidence is there that Newman thinks any differently than Wittman?

b) I don't want to do ANYTHING that might increase the odds of Grunfeld remaining the team's GM.

Make Grunfeld play out the season with the players he acquired and the coach he chose.

Newman has actually been involved in a successful team before, Wittman hasn't. He is a career loser.

I concur with the Grunfeld angle, but just for the sake of possibly seeing good basketball this season I want Wittman gone. It's probably just wishful thinking on my part. The product on the floor every night is physically painful to look at.

I don't see how Leonsis can possibly judge Grunfeld's tenure as anything but a failure. But I've said that before. We'll just have to wait and find out this summer

[Nivek]

Yeah, I guess that's possible, Illmatic. Under normal circumstances, I might be in favor of a coaching change. I'm under no illusion that Wittman is a good coach. As I've said a few times, he wouldn't have been my hire. And, I was frustrated by the "process" that led to Wittman being named the full-time head coach -- a process that involved interviewing absolutely no one for the position.

And you know, I was about to type that these aren't "normal" circumstances, that Grunfeld should be forced to accept the success/failure of the people HE chose -- which includes coaches, players and front office people. But, what's the point? If Leonsis hasn't fired him by now, I'm not sure what could convince him to make a change. The team will make the playoffs with or without Wittman. Grunfeld will almost certainly get an extension. So, why not fire Wittman now and see if Newman can coax an extra win or two from this group the rest of the way? Waiting would only increase the odds that Wittman gets an extension too (after all, he'll be coach of a playoff team), and that's not a palatable option long-term.

So, yeah -- FIRE WITTMAN!!!

[closg00]

I have to be all-in for the tank at this-point, it is the only thing that will assure that Ernie & Randy won't be renewed.

[Zonkerbl]

The zards have been playing worse and worse and worse. I wonder if the futility of their offensive sets is starting to discourage them.

[AFM]

The zards have been playing worse and worse and worse. I wonder if the futility of their offensive sets is starting to discourage them.

Offensive sets?
You mean:

1) John wall drive leading to
a) layup
b) corner 3 pointer

2) Nene/Gortat attempted handoff to Beal as he runs maniacally around them trying to get open like a chicken with its head cut off

3) John Wall hesitation crossover/borderline carry leading to an elbow pullup

4) Nene pump fake leading to Nene pump fake leading to Nene pump fake leading to missed jumper

[Zonkerbl]

Number three is my favorite. Make sure to finally get free six inches inside the the three point line!

[Jay81]

Why is everyone convinced that Ernie will get an extension? i dont get it

[jeffsays]

Why is everyone convinced that Ernie will get an extension? i dont get it

Because obviously Ted is an idiot who only cares about making money!!

Honestly, I don't know why either. If Ted really did care about making money then he would realize how badly Ernie's been doing just by the amnesty and cuts to kendall marshall and shannon brown.

[Sonny Carson]

Time for Otto to get some mins.

The Cavs are just 3 games outside the playoffs and Bennett is getting serious mins.

Its time to develop Otto AND make the playoffs. No excuses for Randy to not make that happen.