Mickstix wrote:Unfortunately, Ernie probably has another coach in him, before he gets the boot.. Ted isn't firing a GM mid season, if at all.. So best case is we get a new lame duck coach sometime this year, possibly a new GM for next who won't fire the coach until mid season next year at the very least.. IOW, at least 2 more years of status quo.. Yay!

I agree that Randy will remain coach for the rest of the season no matter what. But I don't think it's a sure thing that EG and Randy stick around past this year. If the Wizards miss the playoffs, Ted is going to have to look long and hard at things. And it helps that EG and Randy's contracts are up. I mean, for cryin' out loud, Grunfeld has been the GM for 13 freaking years and the team hasn't cracked 46 games even once.
It seems like in several of the past seasons, there was always some excuse or rationale to keep the existing management structure in place:
In 2014-15, we made the 2nd round and were a John Wall injury away from the ECF's.
In 2013-14, we had just made the 2nd round after 5 years of suckitude. Tough to fire Wittman after that.
In 2012-13, we were 24-18 after Wall returned from injury (until we tanked the last 5 games). We had "turned the corner".
In 2011-12, Randy installed late in the season and the team starts to look half-decent after the Nene acquisition.
In 2010-11, a complete rebuild/tank year where we started a rookie John Wall and youngsters Blatche and McGee.
In 2009-10, The "gungate" year which led to the decision to rebuild. Jamison, Butler and Haywood are dumped.
The last time it would have been really easy to change management was when Ted first took over in 2010. He should have canned EG and started from scratch. But once he made the decision to stick with EG, there really wasn't any offseason where Ted didn't have a pretty good excuse to stick with the status quo. Each offseason, he could tell himself that his overall ownership strategy was essentially working, which beats admitting that he screwed up in 2010.
That narrative will finally change this summer. If the Wizards miss the playoffs despite a healthy Wall and Gortat, then it's compelling evidence that the plan isn't working and a justification for a change in management.