Countdown to Ernie Grunfeld Firing (Part 2)

[DCZards]

<snip>Now... Ernie is in his mid-sixties, and if he wanted to go out on a high note, this would be the time. So, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him retire.<snip>

Ernie was born April 24, 1955, so he just turned 59 last week.

You mean to tell me that PIF was that far off on something as easy as getting EG's age correct. Isn't this the same PIF who uses facts and stats to reinforce most of his posts? Oh hell, now I'm going to have to go back through all of PIF's previous posts and run them through the "accuracy machine."

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

<snip>Now... Ernie is in his mid-sixties, and if he wanted to go out on a high note, this would be the time. So, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him retire.<snip>

Ernie was born April 24, 1955, so he just turned 59 last week.

You mean to tell me that PIF was that far off on something as easy as getting EG's age correct. Isn't this the same PIF who uses facts and stats to reinforce most of his posts? Oh hell, now I'm going to have to go back through all of PIF's previous posts and run them through the "accuracy machine."

Yes... but EG's mustache is 65.

[LyricalRico]

<snip>Now... Ernie is in his mid-sixties, and if he wanted to go out on a high note, this would be the time. So, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him retire.<snip>

Ernie was born April 24, 1955, so he just turned 59 last week.

You mean to tell me that PIF was that far off on something as easy as getting EG's age correct. Isn't this the same PIF who uses facts and stats to reinforce most of his posts? Oh hell, now I'm going to have to go back through all of PIF's previous posts and run them through the "accuracy machine."

I'm sure he'll find some way to blame getting Ernie's age wrong on the Eric Maynor signing.

[FAH1223]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BulletsForever/status/463324412322648065[/tweet]

[montestewart]

<snip>Now... Ernie is in his mid-sixties, and if he wanted to go out on a high note, this would be the time. So, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him retire.<snip>

Ernie was born April 24, 1955, so he just turned 59 last week.

You mean to tell me that PIF was that far off on something as easy as getting EG's age correct. Isn't this the same PIF who uses facts and stats to reinforce most of his posts? Oh hell, now I'm going to have to go back through all of PIF's previous posts and run them through the "accuracy machine."

It's not that far off. Barely the length of the Civil War.

[sashae]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/MikeWiseguy/status/463321415148929024[/tweet]

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Well this is not a good day for EG haters:

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/05/ernie-grunfeld-the-unsung-hero-of-the-washington-wizards-renaissance/361634/

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/MikeWiseguy/status/463321415148929024[/tweet]

Mike Lee is such an EG errand-boy.

[Nivek]

Well this is not a good day for EG haters:

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/05/ernie-grunfeld-the-unsung-hero-of-the-washington-wizards-renaissance/361634/

I love The Atlantic, but when they venture into sports, they should either a) know what they're writing about, b) learn about what they're writing about so that A becomes true; and/or c) rigorously fact check. There's enough factual stuff wrong in that article to make any analysis the writer attempts of little value.

And d) not leave out facts that are inconvenient to their point.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Well this is not a good day for EG haters:

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/05/ernie-grunfeld-the-unsung-hero-of-the-washington-wizards-renaissance/361634/

I love The Atlantic, but when they venture into sports, they should either a) know what they're writing about, b) learn about what they're writing about so that A becomes true; and/or c) rigorously fact check. There's enough factual stuff wrong in that article to make any analysis the writer attempts of little value.

And d) not leave out facts that are inconvenient to their point.

Love the Atlantic as well, but its a complete fluff piece.

[dckingsfan]

And d) not leave out facts that are inconvenient to their point.

It would be near to impossible to write this article (and the tone of the article) without leaving out a big chunk of history

[closg00]

Well this is not a good day for EG haters:

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/05/ernie-grunfeld-the-unsung-hero-of-the-washington-wizards-renaissance/361634/

Well at-least the article pointed the reader to these gems.
http://grantland.com/features/ernie-gru ... n-wizards/

and here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc- ... e-wizards/

[closg00]

I have long said, the best way to develop players is to put them on a winning team with quality profession vets.

We made the playoffs and had the big 3 + Haywood when we drafted Party John, Jarvis Hayes, Blatche, and Nick so... is it really the "best" way?

You can't compare Party John, Blatche, etc. to Wall and Beal. Wall and Beal were #1 and #3 picks...they were drafted to be future cornerstones of the franchise. In addition, Wall and Beal have a much different mentality and approach to doing their jobs than at least three of the guys you mentioned.

BTW, imo, a player's development is much more on them and their work ethic than it is on the GM, the coaches or the players you surround them with.

So the Spurs and Wizards have comparable Player Development programs, is that what you expect us to believe?

Players selected in the top-5/6 picks should be expected to require less hand-holding vs players selected later in the draft. The leagues better managers make their mark for their teams by avoiding all-together the Blatche's & Young's of the draft, and if they do get the that-type of player, they have a management structure that is well-disciplined & well-coached. Again the Spurs.

Former Wiz beat reporter Jay Glassie, did an excellent job recounting the horrific player management & culture under Ernie Grunfeld. It's a real shame Jay took that 'Final Straw" article down from his blog.

[DCZards]

^^^^Closg, I know this is a difficult day for you with the news that EG is around at least another year...but you certainly must have something better to do than nitpick my suggestion that a player's work ethic is the most important aspect of their development. Or do you disagree with that?

[dckingsfan]

I would also agree that a players "profile" (work ethic, IQ, etc.) are more important than a club's player development program (PDP).

However, a PDP only needs to be marginally effective to have a proportionally large effect on how a player does inside a particular offensive or defensive schema.

So, although I would agree that correct "profiling" is a more important trait in a GM than player development - I wouldn't dismiss it as unnecessary or unimportant.

And actually - to this point EG didn't do well with "profiling" - see Blatche, McGee or NY or in development.

One of the reasons he ranks where he does with his peers.

[closg00]

Exactly DC Kings

[JonathanJoseph]

I'm not going to relent on thinking that Ernie Grunfeld performs the job of GM very poorly and should be fired. There's a long track record of poor decisions in the draft and free agency and with the cap.

But I really want to give Grunfeld some credit for this team. It's short sighted and capped out, but this way this team is playing looks like a legit conference finals team, and that's no small feat.

Then you realize that Grunfeld tried to trade Ariza for Caron Butler, which Donald Sterling overuled. The way Ariza is playing right now, hat would have been another terrible trade.

[slicedbread2]

I'm not going to relent on thinking that Ernie Grunfeld performs the job of GM very poorly and should be fired. There's a long track record of poor decisions in the draft and free agency and with the cap.

But I really want to give Grunfeld some credit for this team. It's short sighted and capped out, but this way this team is playing looks like a legit conference finals team, and that's no small feat.

Then you realize that Grunfeld tried to trade Ariza for Caron Butler, which Donald Sterling overuled. The way Ariza is playing right now, hat would have been another terrible trade.

As a Raptors fan, if it's true regarding EG's incompetence, he makes Colangelo look like Pat Riley! which is hard to say.

I watch a bit of hockey too and I can't believe Leonsis hasn't grown a pair and kicked McPhee to the curb. If he won't do that, I'm afraid he won't do it to Grunfeld unless he retires.

I can't believe the short sightedness of how badly Ernie has screwed in terms of drafting and making short sighted moves. To me, he should have kept Kendall Marshall as a good backup to Wall since he was young and was on an entry level deal. I like Miller personally since he can be a good veteran influence for the young backcourt although I'd rather have waited on the Nuggets to buy him out and then snap him up for the vet minimum. The other shocking factor was taking Vesely. What did he see in him? He should have went in hindsight to Kawhi Leonard.

What else in your or any Wizard fans opinions have you guys or gals felt has been lacking or extremely disappointing? What would you guys be looking to do in the off-season that needs to be addressed?

I personally feel that a lot of this could be a mirage due to the east being awful.

[nate33]

It pains me to say this because I want EG and the rest of management gone, but I gotta point out that the player development with Beal has been fantastic. They probably could have had Beal stick to his comfort zone of being a catch-and-shoot player for his first 2 years and he would have put up very solid, efficient numbers roughly like Klay Thompson. But instead, they forced Beal into being a ball handler. The results were comically bad in his rookie year, and depressingly mediocre during most of his 2nd season. But it all really seems to be coming together now. The kid is calmly averaging 21, 5 and 5 in the playoffs (in low-scoring games) while being guarded by two of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

[hands11]

It pains me to say this because I want EG and the rest of management gone, but I gotta point out that the player development with Beal has been fantastic. They probably could have had Beal stick to his comfort zone of being a catch-and-shoot player for his first 2 years and he would have put up very solid, efficient numbers roughly like Klay Thompson. But instead, they forced Beal into being a ball handler. The results were comically bad in his rookie year, and depressingly mediocre during most of his 2nd season. But it all really seems to be coming together now. The kid is calmly averaging 21, 5 and 5 in the playoffs (in low-scoring games) while being guarded by two of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

Because what was the teams greatest weakness..

They needed another ball handler besides Wall. TA isn't a good one. He is a 3 and D. Nene is actually pretty good for a big his size but that wasn't enough. And Gortat is a center.

They had to get Beal to be a better ball handler to maximize his talent and bring out the Wade part of his game to go along with the Ray Allen part.

Man, next years version of Beal should be an AS. And with Wall and Beal anchoring this team for the future, they do have that large window to be good. This is why they needed to get them both to the playoffs THIS YEAR. The organization had to see how they would do. You needed those answers. Those players needed the experience and they themselves needed those answers as well.

And being in the playoffs is awesome player development. These are the best extra game to have. Every game they are learning something new about themselves.

Just imagine another offseason from both. And they bring Otto into the fold. He doesn't even need to be a stud next year. He just needs add his young legs and solid growth. His defense, rebounding and 3 ball. Bring back the Rainman and let him mentor Ottoman so as he is slowing down, Ottoman is stepping in. He doesn't have to be ready to step in as the starter for at least two more years. They can win now and bake in the transition in two years.

FUTURE = BRIGHT

Quality FAs will be lining up to fill out the Wizards bench this off season. NBA player will want to get in on some of this action.