Will The Wizards Be A High-profile NBA Franchise in 2014-5?

[sfam]

Well, it certainly seems like you hope its "not possible." Which is sad.

Its sad that the worst GM in the NBA has been here 11 years. That's sad.

As bad as EG is, the worst GMs in the NBA don't usually get their teams to the second round of the playoffs. Yeah, sure, I think EG perhaps accidentally turned lemons into lemonade. But Inspector Clouseau usually got the bad guy by the end of the movie - EG is in essence the NBA's version of Clouseau this year. And like Clouseau, he drives everyone around him (primarily the fanbase) mad.

But he does have his team in the second round of the playoffs. One could argue there are worse performing GMs this year.

[Darko Miliminutes]

The league loves to sell young stars. This playoff run has given them exposure. They'll get some nat TV games, for sure. At least 1 or 2 more. People already knew of Wall. And these playoffs have introduced Beal to the commoners. This backcourt is quite marketable. Even more so if they can get by Indy, and take a game or two from Miami. Wall and Beal are currently, even if slight, media darlings right now.

[montestewart]

umm, you do realize that his most famous uttering of that phrase was in reference to something that was not only possible but had actually happened. Just sayin...

I've forgotten, refresh my memory. Girlfriend asking for another daggar? Go Buck, Go!

[Hidden Eye]

No this isn't the NFL.

You see how much merchandise Wizards get there is barely any.

[DCZards]

No this isn't the NFL.

You see how much merchandise Wizards get there is barely any.

I saw a report a couple of weeks ago that there has been a significant increase in Zards merchandise sales as a result of the playoff exposure.

[Rafael122]

I'm thinking 5 nationally televised games, i.e. on TNT and ABC/ESPN.

Another handful on NBATV.

[Hidden Eye]

No this isn't the NFL.

You see how much merchandise Wizards get there is barely any.

I saw a report a couple of weeks ago that there has been a significant increase in Zards merchandise sales as a result of the playoff exposure.

It's not the merchandise more of the variety.. it doesn't compare to the Heat/Bulls etc who have various different types. There isn't any Wizards hats on Newera website while the Bucks have hats on that website. Life can be a mystery sometimes.

[fishercob]

Higher, but not high.

[DCZards]

This is from a April 26 Wash. Post article:

"Wizards merchandise sales increased by 100 percent on the online retailer Fanatics.com from the previous week, the largest bump of any franchise. Sales of apparel featuring Wall ranked fifth among NBA players after Tuesday’s Game 2."

[tontoz]

As bad as EG is, the worst GMs in the NBA don't usually get their teams to the second round of the playoffs.

Correct. And most GM's don't keep their jobs as long as EG with a comparable record. It took him 11 years to win 1 game in the second round. Most GMs would have been fired years ago.

What other GMs have kept their jobs so long with such a bad record? Maybe Elgin Baylor. I doubt there are very many.

I do think they will get more national TV games next year.

[FreeBalling]

I want Grunfeld gone so we can get championships.

Only way it happens is a big time collapse next year. But hopefully they stay healthy so he can't use that excuse again.

And if they don't collapse next year and, in fact, continue to get better (maybe win 50 plus games) and receive more national recognition would that be alright with you?

I love positive people. Bring it on!

[FreeBalling]

As bad as EG is, the worst GMs in the NBA don't usually get their teams to the second round of the playoffs.

Correct. And most GM's don't keep their jobs as long as EG with a comparable record. It took him 11 years to win 1 game in the second round. Most GMs would have been fired years ago.

What other GMs have kept their jobs so long with such a bad record? Maybe Elgin Baylor. I doubt there are very many.

I do think they will get more national TV games next year.

I agree with your comment Tontoz. However, when Ted became the majority owner of the Wizards. The business methodology took a new course. From what I saw, Ted gave EG a time table to get the team in to the playoffs. It would seem to me EG had met Ted's expectations for this year. I am sure when Ted took over the Wizards there was a new mission statement created; along with a new strategic planning process involving:

• Player Recruitment
• Player Retention
• Player Development

I expect there are measurable goals EG is being held accountable for each year. Making the playoffs is just one milestone. I've worked with Ted at AOL and he is not going to take failure as something that just happens. There are repercussions for not meeting the guidelines detailed out in the company strategic planning process. EG would have given input on how he keeps his job when the strategic planning process was created.

For the people whom want EG removed from power. Making the playoffs in the future does not guarantee his job safety.

[tontoz]

As bad as EG is, the worst GMs in the NBA don't usually get their teams to the second round of the playoffs.

Correct. And most GM's don't keep their jobs as long as EG with a comparable record. It took him 11 years to win 1 game in the second round. Most GMs would have been fired years ago.

What other GMs have kept their jobs so long with such a bad record? Maybe Elgin Baylor. I doubt there are very many.

I do think they will get more national TV games next year.

I agree with your comment Tontoz. However, when Ted became the majority owner of the Wizards. The business methodology took a new course. From what I saw, Ted gave EG a time table to get the team in to the playoffs. It would seem to me EG had met Ted's expectations for this year. I am sure when Ted took over the Wizards there was a new mission statement created; along with a new strategic planning process involving:

• Player Recruitment
• Player Retention
• Player Development

I expect there are measurable goals EG is being held accountable for each year. Making the playoffs is just one milestone. I've worked with Ted at AOL and he is not going to take failure as something that just happens. There are repercussions for not meeting the guidelines detailed out in the company strategic planning process. EG would have given input on how he keeps his job when the strategic planning process was created.

For the people whom want EG removed from power. Making the playoffs in the future does not guarantee his job safety.

When EG's contract was up 2 years ago Ted resigned him despite his long record of failure without interviewing any other candidates. I don't share your faith in Ted.

[rl25g]

if we go to the conference finals i can see up to 10 games on ESPN/ABC/TNT

all of those Laker and Knicks games have got to come down and they have to go somewhere...

[AFM]

We are winning the championship this year, so yeah I think we'll be fairly high profile

[montestewart]

Well, it certainly seems like you hope its "not possible." Which is sad.

Its sad that the worst GM in the NBA has been here 11 years. That's sad.

As bad as EG is, the worst GMs in the NBA don't usually get their teams to the second round of the playoffs. Yeah, sure, I think EG perhaps accidentally turned lemons into lemonade. But Inspector Clouseau usually got the bad guy by the end of the movie - EG is in essence the NBA's version of Clouseau this year. And like Clouseau, he drives everyone around him (primarily the fanbase) mad.

But he does have his team in the second round of the playoffs. One could argue there are worse performing GMs this year.

"It won't be easy, that is why I have always failed where others have succeeded." (inspector Clouseau}




I see the resemblance. Good call, sfam.

[Hypnotizer]

all of those Laker and Knicks games have got to come down and they have to go somewhere...

I don't think Lakers era is over. Watch this interactive map. They have fans everywhere.

[Severn Hoos]

umm, you do realize that his most famous uttering of that phrase was in reference to something that was not only possible but had actually happened. Just sayin...

[/quote]
I've forgotten, refresh my memory. Girlfriend asking for another daggar? Go Buck, Go![/quote]

http://deadspin.com/5066530/not-possibl ... -buckhantz


And FAH - my hope is that you're "Not Possible" is as effectual in bringing about that which was previously thought impossible as Buck's was...