Randy Wittman Coach of the Year?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

It's going to be another classic Wizards blunder when Randy gets extended.

I might have agreed with you at times during the season, but not so sure I would now. The guys are playing hard on both ends of the floor and seem to have bought into Randy's system. Who would have thought he would be outcoaching Thibbs?

If the team can close out this series in convincing fashion and put up a strong fight in round two, I think you need to give him a one-year extension.

So because of one series where his team has a clear talent advantage, Wittman is all of a sudden a great coach..

A lot of national media people are saying "Wow, how the hell did this Washington team have only 44 wins?".. for us Wiz fans, the answer is simple. We think back to all those games against Sacramento, Milwaukee, Boston, etc where Wall/Beal shot a million midrange jumpers because they were "good shots", our offense stagnated from no one moving without the ball, Randy screwing up rotations or timeout management.. and on and on.

There's no way this team should have been only 16th in offense this year with our roster. Re-signing Wittman would ensure that we'll remain a solid defensive team (though even that will be in jeopardy if Ariza leaves), however it will also cap us out as a middling offensive team for as long as he's here.

Nivek feels differenctly, but I think this team, even with injuries should have won around 48 games.

That said, Randy's 2-0 as a playoff coach. Wall's not turning it over. Beal's playing like a seasoned veteran. The Wizards are 2-0 over a team that 70% of America and probably 90% of the media thought would win.

I have no problem saying I'm satisfied with Wittman at the moment.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Witt did a good job again. Late game adjustments were key to the victory.

Agreed Pineapple. Wall, Beal, Nene and Wittman got us the win. lets go for the sweep!!! Wittman is outcoaching Thibs which is remarkable.

Consider all the times in the past that Washington beat Miami, OKC, Denver, Indiana, Brooklyn, etc.

It shouldn't be real surprising IMO.

I am surprised Randy's had the stones to sit Wall for Miller, when needed.

[thinker07]

If the Wiz had won a few more games this year (and they definitely blew some games) then they might have finished 4th instead of 5th and might have played Chicago with home court advantage. Maybe they finish 3rd and again play Chicago or maybe Brooklyn with home court advantage. So it's basically a wash - particularly since Washington didn't play any better at home than they did on the road. So this year was going to be about learning how to win and trying to avoid playing Miami or Indiana in the first round.

And things really started to gel after -

Beal got his legs back under himself after his injury;
Miller arrived to play backup pg;
Harrington could play a little;
Gooden stabilized the front court with Nene out; and now
Nene coming back from injury.

This year was a process year where Wall has had to learn to play more consistently - particularly on defense for whole games and for whole games in a row. He has also had to learn to take fewer chances on offense that often has led to turnovers in the past. I think watching Miller play has helped him do that. I'm not sure what the benefit of having all of that come together a few weeks earlier than it did would have been.

I think that Wittman has managed that process masterfully even though it was painful to watch at many points in the season. I think watching this process convinces me even more that the Gortat trade was good because it allowed the team to win more and get in this circumstance so that Wall and Beal could really develop more. That isn't as possible when you're losing every night and tanking for Julius Randle or Aaron Gordon or whoever.

Getting to this point has been agonizing for just about all the fans, coaches, players, and owners but I think it's time to give Wittman his due for leading this incredibly difficult process.

[milellie111]

Randy Wittman has stepped up his coaching most definitely. Is he a potential hot coaching candidate? Would you like to bring him back now?

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

Randy Wittman has stepped up his coaching most definitely. Is he a potential hot coaching candidate? Would you like to bring him back now?

I don't know I would classify Wittman as a hot coaching candidate, but I don't think he would have to wait very long to find employment if he weren't retained by the Wizards.

We're almost home but the series isn't quite over just yet and I think things get a lot more difficult if the Wizards advance to round 2 and face Indiana. That's the real test. If the Wizards are still standing after a series against Indiana, then I'm 100% percent down with retaining Wittman. I'm about 60-70% right now, after being in favor of replacing him all season.

If the Wizards have grown and the team has something special in place, then I think it will show most in victory against Indy.

[dckingsfan]

While all agree Thibodeau is one of the best coaches in the NBA, some within the organization are frustrated by how hard Thibodeau works his players during the regular season since it appears they continue to run out of gas during the postseason. ESPN.com

All I could do was laugh... he probably did get an extra 3 or 4 games out of Chicago - too funny.

[Spence]

I've noticed that the Wizards always have the worst coach in the NBA. The name of the coach changes but he is always the worst in the NBA. If the Wizards go to the playoffs, they have the worst coach in the NBA. If the Wizards don't go to the playoffs, they have the worst coach in the NBA. If there's a Democrat in the White House, the Wizards have thew worst coach in the NBA. If there's a Republican in the White House, the Wizards have the worst coach in the NBA.

Don't believe me? Just ask the RealGM Wizards board! They'll tell you. Most of them are great NBA coaches.

[montestewart]

I've noticed that the Wizards always have the worst coach in the NBA. The name of the coach changes but he is always the worst in the NBA. If the Wizards go to the playoffs, they have the worst coach in the NBA. If the Wizards don't go to the playoffs, they have the worst coach in the NBA. If there's a Democrat in the White House, the Wizards have thew worst coach in the NBA. If there's a Republican in the White House, the Wizards have the worst coach in the NBA.

Don't believe me? Just ask the RealGM Wizards board! They'll tell you. Most of them are great NBA coaches.

I would have gotten more out of Maynor.

[Spence]

I would have gotten more out of Maynor.

Then you're Coach of the Decade, at least.

[montestewart]

I would have gotten more out of Maynor.

Then you're Coach of the Decade, at least.

Another trophy in the case. Ho hum. Next up: Vesely's free throws. I got this.

[Dat2U]

I've noticed that the Wizards always have the worst coach in the NBA. The name of the coach changes but he is always the worst in the NBA. If the Wizards go to the playoffs, they have the worst coach in the NBA. If the Wizards don't go to the playoffs, they have the worst coach in the NBA. If there's a Democrat in the White House, the Wizards have thew worst coach in the NBA. If there's a Republican in the White House, the Wizards have the worst coach in the NBA.

Don't believe me? Just ask the RealGM Wizards board! They'll tell you. Most of them are great NBA coaches.

Well look at a list of past Wizards/Bullets coaches. Generally, have they not been some the worst in the NBA?

Randy Wittman 91-122 (lowest winning percentage among active head coaches).

Flip Saunders 51-130 (At least were still running the basic framework of his offense lol).

Ed Tapscott 18-53 (Ha! Now this guy was actually probably the worst coach ever).

Eddie Jordan 197-224 (failed at Philly, had to coach JV HS team. Hired at Rutgers last yr and many Rutgers alums are already regretting his hire).

Doug Collins 74-90 (Best Wizards/Bullets coach of the last 30 plus years - probably would have done worlds better without MJ around for him to kiss up to).

Leonard Hamilton 19-63 (Ah good times...)

Darrell Walker 15-23 (How sad I don't even remember this coaching stint? lol).

Gar Heard 14-30 (Best interview ever according to Pollin).

Jim Brovelli 5-13 (Huh?)

Bernie Bickerstaff 77-72 (Wow! A Wining record as Wizards coach? Lets stop right here and bask in his greatness!).

[jmrosenth]

Dat, you forgot the immortal Bob Staak, who has still is batting 1.000 as an NBA head coach.

Gar "He Blew Me Away" Heard

Remember when Thibodeau was hired and then spurred us for the Celtics? Good times.

[daSwami]

I've noticed that the Wizards always have the worst coach in the NBA. The name of the coach changes but he is always the worst in the NBA. If the Wizards go to the playoffs, they have the worst coach in the NBA. If the Wizards don't go to the playoffs, they have the worst coach in the NBA. If there's a Democrat in the White House, the Wizards have thew worst coach in the NBA. If there's a Republican in the White House, the Wizards have the worst coach in the NBA.

Don't believe me? Just ask the RealGM Wizards board! They'll tell you. Most of them are great NBA coaches.

Well look at a list of past Wizards/Bullets coaches. Generally, have they not been some the worst in the NBA?

Randy Wittman 91-122 (lowest winning percentage among active head coaches).

Flip Saunders 51-130 (At least were still running the basic framework of his offense lol).

Ed Tapscott 18-53 (Ha! Now this guy was actually probably the worst coach ever).

Eddie Jordan 197-224 (failed at Philly, had to coach JV HS team. Hired at Rutgers last yr and many Rutgers alums are already regretting his hire).

Doug Collins 74-90 (Best Wizards/Bullets coach of the last 30 plus years - probably would have done worlds better without MJ around for him to kiss up to).

Leonard Hamilton 19-63 (Ah good times...)

Darrell Walker 15-23 (How sad I don't even remember this coaching stint? lol).

Gar Heard 14-30 (Best interview ever according to Pollin).

Jim Brovelli 5-13 (Huh?)

Bernie Bickerstaff 77-72 (Wow! A Wining record as Wizards coach? Lets stop right here and bask in his greatness!).

Tapscott really was horrid: The Terry Robiskie of the NBA.

Gene Shue doe. Dude was sick.

[ptptpt]

Randy Wittman got more job security right now than Frank Vogel and Scott Brooks....Who knew?

[TGW]

Between Grunfail, Turd, and "dimwitt" (copyright dlts), Wittman was always the one that I could live with. I still don't think he's some great coach--the team goes through too many droughts, and against a good team (the Wizards really haven't played one yet these playoffs) that isn't going to fly. However, I think the defense is fantastic, and a lot of the credit goes to him.

[pineappleheadindc]

.

Guys, double check my recollection.

I seem to recall in the second half of last night's game, Bradley Beal essentially playing the point and John the 2. He did so for about 6 or so possessions in a row, primarily to key the high pick and roll and establish some separation for him to either shoot or threaten to shoot.

I don't know if that was Witt or if Wall and Beal just decided to try it. But it seemed to work well. It helped Beal collect a bunch of dimes during the game. And on a night when Wall's mid-range J wasn't falling, it made the Wizards more dangerous coming off of that first high pick.

1. Anyone else notice that?

2. And if so, and if it was Witt's idea, here is another example of a light-touch in-game adjustment that works and was astute. I think I'm sold. If I'm Ted, I'm re-upping Wittman for a couple of years. With a team option for a third. It'll be politically risky to jettison a playoff coach, IMO he's doing well managing the playoff games, and I don't see who would be realistic candidates to replace him. Besides, continuity is a good thing for a team that historically hasn't had much of it.

[milellie111]

.

Guys, double check my recollection.

I seem to recall in the second half of last night's game, Bradley Beal essentially playing the point and John the 2. He did so for about 6 or so possessions in a row, primarily to key the high pick and roll and establish some separation for him to either shoot or threaten to shoot.

I don't know if that was Witt or if Wall and Beal just decided to try it. But it seemed to work well. It helped Beal collect a bunch of dimes during the game. And on a night when Wall's mid-range J wasn't falling, it made the Wizards more dangerous coming off of that first high pick.

1. Anyone else notice that?

2. And if so, and if it was Witt's idea, here is another example of a light-touch in-game adjustment that works and was astute. I think I'm sold. If I'm Ted, I'm re-upping Wittman for a couple of years. With a team option for a third. It'll be politically risky to jettison a playoff coach, IMO he's doing well managing the playoff games, and I don't see who would be realistic candidates to replace him. Besides, continuity is a good thing for a team that historically hasn't had much of it.

Agreed. I also like Wittmans decision to play Gooden more which helped tremendously and his recognition of Miller slowing the pace of the game too much and putting Wall back in. His coaching has been outstanding this playoffs. He deserves an extension and will get it.

[LyricalRico]

1. Anyone else notice that?

I did notice, and I thought it was a planned thing because everybody on the floor seemed to understand that it was Beal's ball for that stretch. I absolutely give Wittman credit for that.

Agreed. I also like Wittmans decision to play Gooden more which helped tremendously

I credit that more to the fouls on Nene, but Witt did decide to go with Gooden over Booker. Even in small stuff he's been pitch-perfect so far.

[milellie111]

4-1 currently the best team in the East. Wittmans defensive adjustments especially against the Knicks have been superb.

Like I said last season, coach of the year is in play for him this year.

[Hypnotizer]

Like I said last season, coach of the year is in play for him this year.