Grunfeld a Great GM. Proves Doubters Wrong

[FreeBalling]

Well how in the world can the Wizards attract quality free agents if all their cap room is tied up in Nene, Gortat & Ariza.... guys you mention as the difference b/w the Wizards being a playoff team or not.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. Either the Wiz have some cap room & and are basically a lottery team or they have no cap room with Wall, Beal, Ariza, Gortat & Nene as the core.

Dat2u, you said this to me before. Maybe I'm missing something here. My understanding is that owners can spend more money. However, the owner has to pay a tax if they go over a certain level. This year Brooklyn is at $102,589,967 so the owners have options to spend more.

The NBA is a business and the luxury tax is not a penalty if the team is profitable. I tried to look for a stat on NBA teams in the past 10 years that were over the luxury tax and what % were in the payoffs each year. What % won ECF / WCF and a Championship. Players compete, however, owners compete with their paychecks.

You are correct. You are definitely missing something. It is called the salary cap. Teams can exceed the cap to resign their own free agents, assuming they have the players Bird Rights. But if they are over the cap they can't offer more than the MLE to another team's free agent.

The comments about Melo today brings me back to this conversation. The cap issue and a GM understanding the terms has found a way to make it work possibly (TBD). It's not a penalty if the organization and/or players are profitable. It's the end result. I can not see why the NBA would NOT let this deal happen. Maybe the players union would balk. However, Melo should be able to play wherever he wants to.

The Heat will become a superpower.

[payitforward]

Thats why you give Ted credit and you give Ted/EG credit. From 29 win to 2nd round 2 wins and the Wall and Beal we have today, all in 4 years. A total franchise transformation. From crap to legit future established winning franchise.

That earns them an A

Not him.

A total franchise transformation or after having sooooooooo many assets from being soooooooo bad the last five years, the Wizards finally managed to win more than half their games, mainly off the backs of two FREE AGENT veterans bought in because of the failures to manage and develop many of those assets.

What's lost in your argument is that beyond Wall & Beal, there's nothing to show but expensive injury plagued vets who most of us would like to trade (Nene & Webster), free agents that decisions have to be made on (Gortat, Ariza, Gooden, Booker, Harrington, Temple) and 4 recent draft picks that rotted on the bench last season (Porter, Rice, Seraphin & Singleton). I guess you can also throw 37 yr old Andre Miller in their for kicks as well.

This doesn't look like a total franchise transformation, this looks like rehash from an old Ernie Grunfeld blueprint on how to construct a basketball team. Maybe this version will get a little farther as long as John Wall doesn't ruin his knee like Gilbert did. But the expensive capped out roster lead by a mediocre coach... while going all in for 45 wins, we've been here before...

There is no point in countering Hands with rationality or analysis. Those are not activities he practices. He just sets his sail to whatever the most recent prevailing wind has been and then says "that's what I've been saying all along."

[payitforward]

First off, stop calling your friends here "obsessed", "flipped out", "crazy", or any other words to that effect, ok? Did I call you crazy? I'd like not to see that any more.

...

Note that I didn't call you crazy in the above? Nor obsessed? Not "flipped out" either? One more like that and I'm putting you on ignore, ok? And I like you, so don't make me do it, please.

Eh. From a guy with 2000 posts in 2 years on an obscure message board regarding a mostly-hapless 3rd tier franchise in the 5th most popular sport in the nation (NFL, MLB, NCAA Football, and Auto racing ahead of it) to a guy who's got 22,000 posts in nearly 10 years -- I think it's fair to say 'takes one to know one' when we talk about being obsessed, flipped out and crazy on any particular topic relating to this team.

Well, by your math Hands posts at twice the rate I do -- and he has maintained it for 10 years! That's impressive, and it's what I like best about Hands. He's a true fan.

But he hasn't accused people of being "flipped out about the Wizards" or "obsessed with the Wizards." No problem that. It's the insults and lack of respect for his friends here that has become intolerable. More of that and, regretfully, on to Ignore he goes -- and I'd recommend the same to others.

Note that LyricalRico is even more committed to Ernie no matter what dumb stuff the guy does -- but he has no problem being respectful and doesn't beat his chest when every once in a blue moon he somehow trips over being right. Wouldn't think of putting him on Ignore....

[dckingsfan]

Wait... LyricalRico was the 4th vote for EG - LyricalRico what say you!?!

[tontoz]

The comments about Melo today brings me back to this conversation. The cap issue and a GM understanding the terms has found a way to make it work possibly (TBD). It's not a penalty if the organization and/or players are profitable. It's the end result. I can not see why the NBA would NOT let this deal happen. Maybe the players union would balk. However, Melo should be able to play wherever he wants to.

The Heat will become a superpower.

Chris Bosh denied an ESPN report indicating that the Miami Heat have already begun discussing adding Carmelo Anthony in the offseason.

Bosh said that it has never been discussed amongst himself, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

“I think that’s very, very unlikely,” Bosh said.

The four players would have to take substantial paycuts.

Wade already came out and said a few weeks ago he wasn't going to take a paycut. This story is nonsense.

[Dat2U]

The comments about Melo today brings me back to this conversation. The cap issue and a GM understanding the terms has found a way to make it work possibly (TBD). It's not a penalty if the organization and/or players are profitable. It's the end result. I can not see why the NBA would NOT let this deal happen. Maybe the players union would balk. However, Melo should be able to play wherever he wants to.

The Heat will become a superpower.

Chris Bosh denied an ESPN report indicating that the Miami Heat have already begun discussing adding Carmelo Anthony in the offseason.

Bosh said that it has never been discussed amongst himself, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

“I think that’s very, very unlikely,” Bosh said.

The four players would have to take substantial paycuts.

Wade already came out and said a few weeks ago he wasn't going to take a paycut. This story is nonsense.

If Wade is serious about still winning rings with the Heat, then he'll have to take a pay cut even if it's not for Melo.

[milellie111]

I see no difference in the way Grunfeld built this Wizards team and the potential to that of the Golden State Warriors or OKC Thunder or Portland Trailblazers. Curry/Thompson, Westbrook/Durant, Lillard/Aldridge, Wall/Beal. All drafted!!! Okc and Portland are forces out west and the Wizards are on the upswing to be a force in the East.

[tontoz]

Let's assume next years salary cap goes up to $63 million. 63/4 = 15.75. There is no chance in hell that all 4 of those guys play for only $15.75 million next year. The big 3 are scheduled to make over $20 million each if they opt in.

Not to mention the fact that the Heat have Cole under contract next season for $2 million and Anderson/Haslem have player options for a combined $7 million. Whoever came up with this big 4 nonsense was clueless.

[montestewart]

I see no difference in the way Grunfeld built this Wizards team and the potential to that of the Golden State Warriors or OKC Thunder or Portland Trailblazers. Curry/Thompson, Westbrook/Durant, Lillard/Aldridge, Wall/Beal. All drafted!!! Okc and Portland are forces out west and the Wizards are on the upswing to be a force in the East.

Yep, no difference at all, identically interchangeable, like a big ol doppelgangbang.

[Nivek]

I see no difference in the way Grunfeld built this Wizards team and the potential to that of the Golden State Warriors or OKC Thunder or Portland Trailblazers. Curry/Thompson, Westbrook/Durant, Lillard/Aldridge, Wall/Beal. All drafted!!! Okc and Portland are forces out west and the Wizards are on the upswing to be a force in the East.

Your use of three exclamation points is highly persuasive. I'm totally convinced by the power of your argument, regardless of all the facts to the contrary.

[Ruzious]

Let's assume next years salary cap goes up to $63 million. 63/4 = 15.75. There is no chance in hell that all 4 of those guys play for only $15.75 million next year. The big 3 are scheduled to make over $20 million each if they opt in.

Not to mention the fact that the Heat have Cole under contract next season for $2 million and Anderson/Haslem have player options for a combined $7 million. Whoever came up with this big 4 nonsense was clueless.

Yup, and even if they don't have anyone else signed before this hypothetical Melo signing, they'd have at least minimum salary cap holds to fill out a 13 man roster.

Oh, and one other thing - Miami with Melo wouldn't beat this San Antonio team. SA is scoring at will against Miami, and Melo - if anything - would hurt Miami's defense. Put him in the starting lineup with Bosh and Lebron means Bosh has to get most of his minutes at center, and none of those guys are going to scare anyone with their shot-blocking going down the lane.

[Dat2U]

We saw the complete undressing of Wade on the basketball court tonight, a brutal reminder of how important his legs are to not only his personal game but also to the attack the Heat have built around him being a key member of a star-studded core. Throughout the 19 playoff games of the Heat so far, the Heat have been significantly worse on offense with Wade on the floor (minus-6.6 points per 100 possessions) and marginally better on defense (one point per 100 possessions).

In the Finals, the Spurs are outscoring the Heat by 16.2 points per 100 possessions with Wade on the floor.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-bas ... -struggles

What's stunning to me is how quickly the Heat's window is closing while the Spurs keep chugging along.

I thought the Heat were suspect in the earlier rounds of the playoffs, but simply had no one in the East to give them a good run.

I think the Wizards would have at least collected one blow out (as they did twice in the regular season) had they matched up against the Heat in the Conference Finals and at least pushed them to 6 games.

Wade holds the key to the Heat future. He's got to recognize the writing on the wall, opt out of his current deal and be willing to take a significantly reduced salary and reduced role so the Heat can bring in another front line player.

Either way, this version of the "Big Three" looks to be about done.

[Ruzious]

We saw the complete undressing of Wade on the basketball court tonight, a brutal reminder of how important his legs are to not only his personal game but also to the attack the Heat have built around him being a key member of a star-studded core. Throughout the 19 playoff games of the Heat so far, the Heat have been significantly worse on offense with Wade on the floor (minus-6.6 points per 100 possessions) and marginally better on defense (one point per 100 possessions).

In the Finals, the Spurs are outscoring the Heat by 16.2 points per 100 possessions with Wade on the floor.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-bas ... -struggles

What's stunning to me is how quickly the Heat's window is closing while the Spurs keep chugging along.

I thought the Heat were suspect in the earlier rounds of the playoffs, but simply had no one in the East to give them a good run.

I think the Wizards would have at least collected one blow out (as they did twice in the regular season) had they matched up against the Heat in the Conference Finals and at least pushed them to 6 games.

Wade holds the key to the Heat future. He's got to recognize the writing on the wall, opt out of his current deal and be willing to take a significantly reduced salary and reduced role so the Heat can bring in another front line player.

Either way, this version of the "Big Three" looks to be about done.

Wade alone ain't going to do it. I think it'd take each one of the big 3 taking 30% pay cuts to even have a chance to sign a major free agent. These aren't just pay cuts; these are cuts from what they're already guaranteed. The bottom line is that it's a business. And in a business, you don't give away that many millions of dollars - especially if it's just so Melo can disrupt your offense and play ordinary defense - and meanwhile you still don't have a starting PG, and you probably lost your best defensive center.

[fishercob]

We saw the complete undressing of Wade on the basketball court tonight, a brutal reminder of how important his legs are to not only his personal game but also to the attack the Heat have built around him being a key member of a star-studded core. Throughout the 19 playoff games of the Heat so far, the Heat have been significantly worse on offense with Wade on the floor (minus-6.6 points per 100 possessions) and marginally better on defense (one point per 100 possessions).

In the Finals, the Spurs are outscoring the Heat by 16.2 points per 100 possessions with Wade on the floor.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-bas ... -struggles

What's stunning to me is how quickly the Heat's window is closing while the Spurs keep chugging along.

I thought the Heat were suspect in the earlier rounds of the playoffs, but simply had no one in the East to give them a good run.

I think the Wizards would have at least collected one blow out (as they did twice in the regular season) had they matched up against the Heat in the Conference Finals and at least pushed them to 6 games.

Wade holds the key to the Heat future. He's got to recognize the writing on the wall, opt out of his current deal and be willing to take a significantly reduced salary and reduced role so the Heat can bring in another front line player.

Either way, this version of the "Big Three" looks to be about done.

Stunning indeed. Why would the Spurs not bring everyone back and have a great shot at winning it AGAIN next year.

While Diaw, Miller and Bonner are free agents, they're $24M under the lux tax next year. They can use the entire MLE, absorb salary in a trade, etc.

They will continue to be so deep that they will be able to keep everyone's minutes down to the point that they'll all be fresh for the playoffs.

Stunning indeed. And scary.

Assuming they bring back Mills and Diaw with Bird Rights, who would/should they target with the MLE?

[Dat2U]

Stunning indeed. Why would the Spurs not bring everyone back and have a great shot at winning it AGAIN next year.

While Diaw, Miller and Bonner are free agents, they're $24M under the lux tax next year. They can use the entire MLE, absorb salary in a trade, etc.

They will continue to be so deep that they will be able to keep everyone's minutes down to the point that they'll all be fresh for the playoffs.

Stunning indeed. And scary.

Assuming they bring back Mills and Diaw with Bird Rights, who would/should they target with the MLE?

Your post got me thinking... WWSAD?

What Would San Antonio do?

If R.C. Buford & Gregg Popovich were given control of the Wizards franchise this off-season, how would they approach it? What moves would they make? Would they re-sign everyone? Or would they remake the team?

[montestewart]

Stunning indeed. Why would the Spurs not bring everyone back and have a great shot at winning it AGAIN next year.

While Diaw, Miller and Bonner are free agents, they're $24M under the lux tax next year. They can use the entire MLE, absorb salary in a trade, etc.

They will continue to be so deep that they will be able to keep everyone's minutes down to the point that they'll all be fresh for the playoffs.

Stunning indeed. And scary.

Assuming they bring back Mills and Diaw with Bird Rights, who would/should they target with the MLE?

Your post got me thinking... WWSAD?

What Would San Antonio do?

If R.C. Buford & Gregg Popovich were given control of the Wizards franchise this off-season, how would they approach it? What moves would they make? Would they re-sign everyone? Or would they remake the team?

Nope, we'll be stuck with What'll Ernie Grunfeld Do? (WEDGIE?)

[LyricalRico]

Wait... LyricalRico was the 4th vote for EG - LyricalRico what say you!?!

Same thing I've been saying - the team is on the upswing and I'm excited for the future. Let's see what happens over the summer. Go Wiz!


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[Baller2014]

The Spurs had a front office full of talented guys you could have hired. Instead other, smarter teams have hired them. Henny in Orlando, Lindsay in Utah, Presti in OKC, Ferry in Atlanta, etc. Don't be surprised when Utah, Orlando and Atlanta become contenders in the near future.

[hands11]

Hm, this line of reasoning troubles me. In order to contend for a championship, you need elite players. You can only get elite players (in their prime, if we forget about Lebron for a second) with high draft picks, because of the way the CBA is constructed. And yet EG doesn't get any credit for drafting Wall and Beal. I understand the logic but I think it is a tad unfair. It's not EG's fault the system is set up the way it is.

The system is set up so that the lousy teams get the good players, and get to keep those good players for at least eight years.

Well I have made the case for why they do get credit for draft Wall and Beal. And not only that, but they have done well to help develop Wall as the leader he is becoming by placing the right types of vets on the team to help him mature.

True #1s are grown. Look how SAS does it. First with TD, then Parker and now they are doing it with K Lenard.

Even as great a MJ was, go back and see how they brought vets to the team in his early years to help him develop mentally. Caldwell Jones, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore. Then the icing was matching him with Phil Jackson after a very Whitmanlike Doug Collins did his fundamentals work.

I think the Wizards are doing well bringing Wall and Beal along mentally. And that is as important if not more important then anything when you have players that are physically talented.

That is what often separate players from being Kevin Love, CP3, Melo types from being TD, Magic, Kobe, MJ types.

[hands11]

I see the big picture of what the Wizards are building and it bigger then any one move or blown past pick. They are building a institution/program and that is what a solid franchise needs. The team now has an identify that is sound. They are a defensive unselfish team that likes to play for each other.

Not saying they are SAS but that is in a SAS mold. They even have a X SAS coach as an assistant so I expect his voice is part of the structure.

I like the seed they are planting regarding approach to the game and how they are developing Wall and Beal. And I fully expect Otto to get his indoctrination next year.

The team is Wall, Beal and hopefully Otto. So for me, I'm looking past next year to the following year. That's the beginning of when they should be able to really do something. Wall in year 6 should be ready to dominate. Beal in year 4 the same. And Otto in year 3 with one year of that on the court and one red shirt year.

With that, they just have to land the right front court. Not a small task, but doable. And hey, who knows. Maybe Nene will still have it going. He would only be 33. Next year should tell us a lot about Nene's future. If not for a freak MCL injury, he would have logged 75 games. He was much healthier then he was the previous year.