Countdown to Ernie Grunfeld Firing (Part 2)

[noworriesinmd]

The Wizards are frauds. Their 42-39 records is based on them beating up on some of the most horrible teams ever assembled.

I don't think anyone would deny that this is a down year for the Eastern Conference. I can't remember any year where six teams in one conference were absolutely out of playoff contention on Day 1. Milwaukee, Philly, Boston, Orlando, Cleveland and Detroit are really, really bad. Then throw in the unintentional suckiness of New York, the post-Horford-injury Hawks, and the pre-All-Star-Break Nets, and that's one huge Conference of Suck.

The Wizards record against those 9 teams (MIL, PHI, BOS, ORL, CLE, DET, NYK, preASB-BRK, post-injury ATL) is 22-7. They're also 3-1 against the hapless Lakers and Jazz. That means their record against legitimate NBA teams is 17-31. This is not a good basketball team, folks.

I would not say they are frauds (too strong of a word), but they became "contenders" because they are in a bad conference.

Their path to the Finals/ECF is easier than most years.

Record against +.500 teams 14-25
Record against -.500 teams 30-13

They could beat a Bulls team w/o a former MVP. That team was constructed around DRose who was a high touch scoring PG.

They could beat a #1 seed team who is imploding and did everything they could to loose the #1 seed. That team can barely beat a #8 seeded team who didn't event want to be in the playoffs

They could play BKLN who tanked to play Miami. First time I've ever heard this talk about in public.
They could play Miami who is overplaying Lebron and they're second best player is in huge define

I'll stop here, but this year...ANYONE can come out the east.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Read between the lines in the Caps stories. There is NO way Leonsis cans Ernie or Witt this year.

'Team on the rise.'

'Values continuity.'

'Were really bad before they got really good.'

EG is as good as re-upped... And Witt, by virtue of two playoff game wins, is a made man

[Jay81]

Ted admits for the caps that they need a fresh set of eyes. How can he not say same about wizards

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... es-4-26-14

[montestewart]

Ted admits for the caps that they need a fresh set of eyes. How can he not say same about wizards

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... es-4-26-14

I would like to see EG gone, and the series with Chicago aside, I haven't been too impressed with Wittman, but unlike the Caps, the Wizards are ascending. Maybe they won't reach high enough heights, but it's not quite the same situation as the Caps, so I could see Leonsis rationalizing not making changes.

[closg00]

Ted admits for the caps that they need a fresh set of eyes. How can he not say same about wizards

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... es-4-26-14

Fresh set of eyes!?!?! Maynor and Vesely, nuff said.

[payitforward]

I think Ernie Grunfield is an awful GM -- one of the worst in the league right now, and one of the worst in the league in the last quarter century too.

But, you don't fire a guy when you've had more success than you've had in the previous decade. No one does that. So if he wants to stay, he'll be here.

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.

As to Wittman -- if we close out Chicago, and above all if we beat Indiana, how could you fire the guy? Even if we lose to Indiana, as long as the series is competitive I can't see him being let go. The opposite -- you have to reward success, and he'd deserve a raise!

[Jay81]

It would be a very ugly and still possible scenario that we lose 3 in a row and lose the series. If that happens....do you think a front office move would be made?

[montestewart]

Ted admits for the caps that they need a fresh set of eyes. How can he not say same about wizards

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... es-4-26-14

He's rich. Can't he buy them at the eye bank?

[verbal8]

I think Ernie Grunfield is an awful GM -- one of the worst in the league right now, and one of the worst in the league in the last quarter century too.

But, you don't fire a guy when you've had more success than you've had in the previous decade. No one does that. So if he wants to stay, he'll be here.

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.

As to Wittman -- if we close out Chicago, and above all if we beat Indiana, how could you fire the guy? Even if we lose to Indiana, as long as the series is competitive I can't see him being let go. The opposite -- you have to reward success, and he'd deserve a raise!

I don't think one play-off series will attract the interest of other teams in EG, but a trip to the ECF might. If there was a bidding war, I think the Wizards might be more inclined to look at the whole below average tenure as Wizards GM, where another team may be convinced that the recent success is due to the GM assembling a good squad. I could see the Pistons or Cavs having interest. The Pelicans might also be a team that may replace their GM.

[dckingsfan]

It would be a very ugly and still possible scenario that we lose 3 in a row and lose the series. If that happens....do you think a front office move would be made?

Please keep posting things like this... anything about how we are going to lose. And please, nothing about how we could win

[sashae]

But, you don't fire a guy when you've had more success than you've had in the previous decade. No one does that. So if he wants to stay, he'll be here.

The beknighted Clippers canned Vinny Del Negro after poorly managing an excellent team last year... I don't see why it's not possible for us.

[TGW]

I think Ernie Grunfield is an awful GM -- one of the worst in the league right now, and one of the worst in the league in the last quarter century too.

But, you don't fire a guy when you've had more success than you've had in the previous decade. No one does that. So if he wants to stay, he'll be here.

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.

As to Wittman -- if we close out Chicago, and above all if we beat Indiana, how could you fire the guy? Even if we lose to Indiana, as long as the series is competitive I can't see him being let go. The opposite -- you have to reward success, and he'd deserve a raise!

Ain't it funny how literally 4 games can decide the next 2 to 3 years. Unfortunately, I don't expect Ted to show any type of balls in this situation.

[queridiculo]

I think Ernie Grunfield is an awful GM -- one of the worst in the league right now, and one of the worst in the league in the last quarter century too.

But, you don't fire a guy when you've had more success than you've had in the previous decade. No one does that. So if he wants to stay, he'll be here.

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.

As to Wittman -- if we close out Chicago, and above all if we beat Indiana, how could you fire the guy? Even if we lose to Indiana, as long as the series is competitive I can't see him being let go. The opposite -- you have to reward success, and he'd deserve a raise!

You make a tough decision and move on.

Chicago did it back in the days with Doug Collins, and you have recent examples in Memphis with Joerger replacing Hollins.

Is it a tough sell, no doubt, but it's not like Leonsis would have to fire anybody.

You thank them for their contributions, and you "go in a different direction".

I would laugh my ass off if Washington did indeed make it to the ECF, and the architect moved on to take on the challenge of rebuilding the Bucks.

[Jay81]

what Ted said about the Caps is that he didnt think current regime could take the Caps to the cups. There is no way in hell, he thinks that this current regime can take the wizards to an NBA championship.

I think this run by the wizards will make him savor even more that awesomeness of being a good team $$$ and will not renew Ernie

[dandridge 10]

More evidence of EG as a horrible GM....Shelvin Mack providing significant contributions in the playoffs. I like Andre Miller but I'd rather have a young back PG that will likely be around for more than a year or 2. When Ernie was asked in a 106.7 interview why he didn't keep Mack, Ernie said that the Wizards were not in a position to wait on his development. The Wizards were in the intentionally suck mode when we had Mack. They had all the time in the world to develop him.

Regarding the argument that EG deserves to be resigned given the recent playoff success of the Wizards, I'd counter by just referring to the last time the Wizards made it to the second round under his watch. Everyone was talking about how the Wizards were the team of the future...and then everything came crumbling down because Ernie had sacrificed the future to go all in for a team that wasn't near contention. Yes, Beal and Wall are very young. But the rest of the contributors on this team are either past their prime or approaching the downside of their career. The Wizards were fortunate this year to play in a horrible Eastern conference and even more fortunate to be playing a Bulls team that is missing their star player and traded away their second best player. If they move on to the second round, they will also be fortunate to be in a position where they are likely to play an 8th seed or a reeling Pacers team. Like others, I'm extremely excited to be in the position we are in. I have got to admit it...it is fun finally seeing the Wizards have success. However, I'm not going to forget all the Grunfeld blunders (which have been well documented) just because the Wizards might find themselves lucky enough to make the ECF in year which is unprecedented for suckitude in the Eastern Conference.

[payitforward]

More evidence of EG as a horrible GM....Shelvin Mack providing significant contributions in the playoffs. I like Andre Miller but I'd rather have a young back PG that will likely be around for more than a year or 2. When Ernie was asked in a 106.7 interview why he didn't keep Mack, Ernie said that the Wizards were not in a position to wait on his development. The Wizards were in the intentionally suck mode when we had Mack. They had all the time in the world to develop him.

Regarding the argument that EG deserves to be resigned given the recent playoff success of the Wizards, I'd counter by just referring to the last time the Wizards made it to the second round under his watch. Everyone was talking about how the Wizards were the team of the future...and then everything came crumbling down because Ernie had sacrificed the future to go all in for a team that wasn't near contention. Yes, Beal and Wall are very young. But the rest of the contributors on this team are either past their prime or approaching the downside of their career. The Wizards were fortunate this year to play in a horrible Eastern conference and even more fortunate to be playing a Bulls team that is missing their star player and traded away their second best player. If they move on to the second round, they will also be fortunate to be in a position where they are likely to play an 8th seed or a reeling Pacers team. Like others, I'm extremely excited to be in the position we are in. I have got to admit it...it is fun finally seeing the Wizards have success. However, I'm not going to forget all the Grunfeld blunders (which have been well documented) just because the Wizards might find themselves lucky enough to make the ECF in year which is unprecedented for suckitude in the Eastern Conference.

I agree totally w/ the above. EG doesn't "deserve" to be retained -- but it's hard to imagine he won't be. Ted's been giving him lots of props lately, for example.

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed he's ready to retire.

[dandridge 10]

Yeah, I think EG retiring is our best hope, but I don't think that is going to happen. I think he wants to see how many times he can destroy the team and rebuild it to mediocrity.

[Jay81]

i can still see a scenario where EG is not renewed. If we lose to Atlanta for example in Round two who finished 38-44, Ted will realize that this team has probably reached its ceiling and cant win a title with Ernie and make the move like he did with GMGM.

So yes...we want Atlanta. Win or lose....we cant lose:)

[fishercob]

i can still see a scenario where EG is not renewed. If we lose to Atlanta for example in Round two who finished 38-44, Ted will realize that this team has probably reached its ceiling and cant win a title with Ernie and make the move like he did with GMGM.

So yes...we want Atlanta. Win or lose....we cant lose:)

You're a sick puppy, Ji.

I want to drill ATL, shock the world against Miami, and then see what happens in the FInals.

[BigA]

<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.