Discuss Ernie Grunfeld's GM skills here (Part 2)

[payitforward]

Wow... that is truly unbelievable. They would sign a player -- any player -- without bothering to see him work out?

[Dat2U]

Saw this piece last week, and while I’m glad things worked out with Mike Scott, this quote made me think of closg00’s “Lazy Ernie” moniker.

Out of the league, Scott stopped working out and eating right. He ballooned to almost 280 pounds. "I was lazy," he says now. His trajectory pointed one way: out of the NBA. "I can't lie and say that didn't cross my mind," he says.

As free agency approached, he decided to fight. He lost almost 40 pounds, and let teams know he was ready. He drew only two minimum offers. Washington said they would sign him without seeing him work out first. "Given the year I had," Scott says, "that really surprised me."

I don’t know if it’s commonplace for GMs to waive a workout for free agents trying to get back in the league, but the fact that Mike Scott was surprised by it, tells me it is not.

I wonder if EG was truly bidding against himself and the other minimum offer Scott received this past summer was also from the Wizards (but required a workout).

I dont know whether to laugh or shake my head.

It's completely believable. We joke about how lazy Ernie probably is but its still stunning to see actual facts pointing to the reality of it.

Well good thing dx has moved to ESPN so Lazy Ernie will only have to check out one link for scouting reports instead two.

[closg00]

Wow, just seeing that Ernie rushed-in (again), to sign Mike Scott without even checking to see what kind of shape he was in. Stunned

Pinched piece from Jay Glassies article where he mentions Ernie's Laziness.

That blame game is the most startling thing about this tenure. There are all the behind the scenes stories – how he came into an offseason meeting this year and declared they had to give Nick Young a full mid-level exception, to the bewilderment of his staff. How JaVale McGee came and asked him for a big man coach, and Grunfeld said he could have one if he paid for it himself. The many times Grunfeld went behind Eddie Jordan or Flip Saunders back when they tried to reign in Grunfeld’s pets Arenas and Blatche. The times you’d watch players **** around at practice despite lengthy losing streaks, and Grunfeld standing there **** around the same way.

[closg00]

The Raptors and Cavs both signed players for the rest of the season, Cheap Ted & Lazy Ernie have done nothing. Ted knows that he will sell-out Capital One for the playoffs regardless.

[BigA]

The Raptors and Cavs both signed players for the rest of the season, Cheap Ted & Lazy Ernie have done nothing. Ted knows that he will sell-out Capital One for the playoffs regardless.

Nope, based on last year's experience and looking at Ticketmaster, they won't sell out any games. About a third of the 400 level is unsold, and there's lots available lower down from the box office and resale.

The seats will be filled. They can be given away and written off at the box office price.

[closg00]

The Raptors and Cavs both signed players for the rest of the season, Cheap Ted & Lazy Ernie have done nothing. Ted knows that he will sell-out Capital One for the playoffs regardless.

Nope, based on last year's experience and looking at Ticketmaster, they won't sell out any games. About a third of the 400 level is unsold, and there's lots available lower down from the box office and resale.

The seats will be filled. They can be given away and written off at the box office price.

Are you sure the games were not Sold Out?

[BigA]

The Raptors and Cavs both signed players for the rest of the season, Cheap Ted & Lazy Ernie have done nothing. Ted knows that he will sell-out Capital One for the playoffs regardless.

Nope, based on last year's experience and looking at Ticketmaster, they won't sell out any games. About a third of the 400 level is unsold, and there's lots available lower down from the box office and resale.

The seats will be filled. They can be given away and written off at the box office price.

Are you sure the games were not Sold Out?

Maybe I'm mis-remembering, but I believe the pattern was that there would be tons of seats available until two days before the game, then they would disappear all of a sudden from Ticketmaster. There would then be people sitting in those seats at the game. So I don't know if I'd call that a "sellout" if they are pulling seats off the market and giving them away.

That was the situation for the Hawks series. I went to the second home game (Game 4). There was less availability for the Boston series, but still not bad. I had work travel and couldn't go to those home games.

Right now there are lots of tickets available for the first round home games. The 400 level will not be anywhere near selling out based on where they are now. They'll have to pull those tickets and give them away.

The box office prices are quite reasonable. $96+fees for the rear 100 level behind the basket seats. If you are interested in going, you should check them out.

[BigA]

Remember, there are a couple reasons why Ted may not want to make a lot of money right now. At least in terms of the income he's reporting from the Caps and the Wizards.

1. At the right time, he wants to hit up one of the local jurisdictions (preferably the District) to build or subsidize a new arena for him. From a PR standpoint, he'll be in a better position to cry poor if he's not making money hand over fist.

2. I think all of the teams have an interest in restraining growth in reported basketball-related income so they can take a harder line on the players in the next CBA.

[closg00]

Just like when Lazy Ernie told JaVale that he would have to hire his own Big Man coach, John took it upon himself to lose 15LBS and switch to a healthier diet. Ernie of-course, took no initiative to protect or maximize the productivity of his Super Max player. Congratulations John.

[DCZards]

Just like when Lazy Ernie told JaVale that he would have to hire his own Big Man coach, John took it upon himself to lose 15LBS and switch to a healthier diet. Ernie of-course, took no initiative to protect or maximize the productivity of his Super Max player. Congratulations John.

I prefer the slimmed down version of WallStar. He appears even quicker and, on top of that, most orthopedic surgeons will tell you it's better for his surgically-repaired knees to be carrying less weight. That's a good thing for John's long-term knee health.

The irony is that not long ago some posters were complaining that JW looked heavy and out of shape. Guy can't win.

[closg00]

Just like when Lazy Ernie told JaVale that he would have to hire his own Big Man coach, John took it upon himself to lose 15LBS and switch to a healthier diet. Ernie of-course, took no initiative to protect or maximize the productivity of his Super Max player. Congratulations John.

I prefer the slimmed down version of WallStar. He appears even quicker and, on top of that, most orthopedic surgeons will tell you it's better for his surgically-repaired knees to be carrying less weight. That's a good thing for John's long-term knee health.

The irony is that not long ago some posters were complaining that JW looked heavy and out of shape. Guy can't win.

The complaints were valid, it’s a good thing he took the initiative to get healthy, he looks like a different person. Now about the jump shot

[FAH1223]

Masai Ujiri is owning Grunfail in this series

[queridiculo]

Masai Ujiri is owning Grunfail in this series

The Raptors are essentially the Wizards with a competent front office.

[Kanyewest]

Saw this piece last week, and while I’m glad things worked out with Mike Scott, this quote made me think of closg00’s “Lazy Ernie” moniker.

Out of the league, Scott stopped working out and eating right. He ballooned to almost 280 pounds. "I was lazy," he says now. His trajectory pointed one way: out of the NBA. "I can't lie and say that didn't cross my mind," he says.

As free agency approached, he decided to fight. He lost almost 40 pounds, and let teams know he was ready. He drew only two minimum offers. Washington said they would sign him without seeing him work out first. "Given the year I had," Scott says, "that really surprised me."

I don’t know if it’s commonplace for GMs to waive a workout for free agents trying to get back in the league, but the fact that Mike Scott was surprised by it, tells me it is not.

I wonder if EG was truly bidding against himself and the other minimum offer Scott received this past summer was also from the Wizards (but required a workout).

I dont know whether to laugh or shake my head.

It's completely believable. We joke about how lazy Ernie probably is but its still stunning to see actual facts pointing to the reality of it.

Well good thing dx has moved to ESPN so Lazy Ernie will only have to check out one link for scouting reports instead two.

I would guess that someone on the Wizards either in the front office, coaching staff, or roster had seen him play in pickup. Anyways, this is one of the moves that worked out and if it didn't it was for the minimum.

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[Kanyewest]

Just like when Lazy Ernie told JaVale that he would have to hire his own Big Man coach, John took it upon himself to lose 15LBS and switch to a healthier diet. Ernie of-course, took no initiative to protect or maximize the productivity of his Super Max player. Congratulations John.

I prefer the slimmed down version of WallStar. He appears even quicker and, on top of that, most orthopedic surgeons will tell you it's better for his surgically-repaired knees to be carrying less weight. That's a good thing for John's long-term knee health.

The irony is that not long ago some posters were complaining that JW looked heavy and out of shape. Guy can't win.

I think everyone here wants an in shape Wall similar to what Lowry did before. Lowry did it on his own and worked out at Villanova. I am glad and pleasantly surprised he pulled it off in season coming off knee surgery when he couldn't do it in the offseason.

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[pinkman7382]

When the Wizards get swept but Ernie gets a free pass because of Wall's injury

[milellie111]

Ty Lawson. Hmmmm

[BigA]

Ty Lawson. Hmmmm

These playoffs will probably be his only time as a Wizard, especially if he plays really well, because the Wizards won't be able to afford him next season.

So we might as well appreciate him for these few games he's here.

[closg00]

Ernie saved his job tonight, that’s all he needed

[montestewart]

Ernie is gradually transforming the team into the Warriors of the East. They hit .375 from outside the arc, 3rd in the league behind the Warriors and Celtics. They are 4th in the league in assists, behind the Warriors, Sixers, and Pels. Indicative of the chaos they cause opponent offenses, they are near the top in opponent TOs, tied with defensive juggernaut Utah, and well ahead of the Warriors. On both offense and defense, Ernie is gradually transforming the team into the Warriors of the East.

Let's look at the individual players. Umm, two All Stars: a guaranteed 20/10 PG and a guaranteed 25 ppg shooting guard. Let's start listing all the NBA championships that started right there. Can you say Warriors? Add to that a top-3 three-point shooter (just ahead of Klay Thompson) who also happens to be a six position defender and the ultimate airplane glue guy. Add to that the ultimate enforcer, known around the league as Markiell because opponents are so afraid of him. Add to that the greatest player in Polish history, and anyone that knows WWII history can tell you how tough Poles are. Plus he models himself after the Mohawks, and anyone who's read Last of the Mo' Hawkins knows how tough they are. Plus his father was an Olympic boxer, and you know how tough boxers are. Plus, he has a picture of his father as a boxer tattooed on his chest, and you know how much tattoos hurt, so you know he's tough. Like the Warriors, the Wizards starting five goes five deep.

As with the Warriors, it doesn't end here with the starters though. Did I mention tough? Ian Mahinmi was born in Rouen, where Joan of Arc was tortured, so you know he's tough. How about Kelly Oubre (known as KO around the league, no one knows why), making his case for 6th Man of the Year. And Czech out the Prague-ress of Tomas Satoransky, making his case as the greatest player in the history of the Czech Republic. Mike Scott is known as the Rain Man around the league, because if he doesn't get to watch People's Court, he'll throw a fit on your front porch. The below the radar acquisition of Chris McCullough (the equivalent of a free 1st round pick) in the Nicholson trade continued to show returns, giving valuable depth up front as he added 18 pts, 10 RBs and 2 BS per 36. And don't forget Jason Smith; some players throw in the towel, but he hangs onto it as if his life depends on it.

Let's not forget that EG not only has a grand vision and is the architect of this coming dynasty, but is a shrewd survivor as well, able to think on the fly. When John Wall goes down or needs a solid backup, EG goes into to action, and the Wizards went into the playoffs with not one but two NBA starting quality PGs, Ty Lawson and Ramon Sessions, backing him up. He picked up Lawson fresh off the Saki Maru five minutes before game 1. As with the Warriors, top players want to come here and play for a song (perhaps "In the City" from The Warriors soundtrack), a chance to show their skills, and a chance for a shot at the title a la Warriors.

Ernie is gradually transforming the team into the Warriors of the East, with Warriors-like success, three All Stars, tons of draft picks, and lots of cap flexibility for years to come. Nothing bad can be said about this great looking team because Ernie is the Teflon Don Juan. To show the enduring love they have for the game they have dedicated their lives to, the players are adopting "Balls Deep" as their motto for the coming year. The Warriors are the model. The sky's not the limit. The ground's the floor! To quote REO Speedwagon (and Markiell), KEEP ON ROLLING!