Nine Steps in Six Months To Rebuilding/Rebranding The Wizards
Hey Ted Leonsis I’ve fixed the Wizards for you. No need to thank me…
1) April 18th: Fire Ernie Grunfeld:
This organization doesn’t move forward as long as Ernie is at the helm. Ted extended him last year when he should have been fired. No way Ted will ,or can afford to make, the same mistake twice. The time has come where Ernie can no longer make personnel decisions for the Washington Wizards (or really any team in general).
2) April 19th: Fire Randy Wittman:
Do I necessarily think Randy Wittman is a bad coach? No. At the same time this franchise needs a fresh start and unfortunately for Wittman he’s not part of it.
3) June 15th: Hire Troy Weaver as New GM:
Troy Weaver is currently in his fifth season with Oklahoma City (three as assistant GM). That means he’s been learning under Sam Presti, arguably the best GM, in the league for the last five years. He has the experience and the make-up to be a solid GM in the NBA. Also he has ties to the DC area. This from NBA.com
“Prior to his collegiate coaching days, Weaver amassed an 85-17 record as an AAU coach in Washington, D.C. He guided the DC Assault to the 1996 AAU Tournament of Champions.
Weaver graduated with an associate’s degree from Prince George’s Community College (MD) in 1991, where he also played one season of basketball.”
4) June 16th: Hire Mike Malone as New Coach:
Mike Malone was voted the leagues best assistant coach in the 2011-2012 season by NBA GM’s. Many NBA insiders are giving him, and not Mark Jackson, credit for the success the Golden State Warriors are having this year. Malone style is more defensive minded. He could help take an already improving Wizards defense to the next level. Also I believe a Malone hiring would be seen as major win by the Wizards in NBA circles. It would lay credence that this team is interested in winning again.
5) June 20th: Waive Jan Vesely:
Jan Vesely is the poster child for the Ernie Grunfeld era. I’m not sure there is anything Jan can do to live up to the sixth overall draft pick at this point. The damage is done. Not to mention Jan will always have the stench of Ernie Grunfeld attached to him
6) June 21st: Announce the rebranding of the Washington Wizards to the Washington Bullets:
What’s the best way to erase your past. Change your name. Think of it as a divorce. When a woman gets a divorce from an abusive husband she goes back to her maiden name. It’s her way of putting the past behind her. Same thing here. Lets but this Wizards nonsense behind us…
7) June 27th: Draft Shabazz Muhammed or Otto Potter:
Wizards need a small forward to go with Wall and Beal. Muhammed would be perfect. Muhammed is a slasher who can easily get to the rim and has 20+ppg potential in the NBA. His athletic prowess and ability to score would be a great fit for the up tempo style of offense that best fits Wall and Beal. While Potter doesn’t have Muhammed’s pure scoring ability he is a versatile forward that would also be a solid fit.
8) August 1st: Extend Wall:
At this point we’ve drafted Beal and Muhammed/Porter to play with Wall so why wait to extend him. Let’s go forward with Beal, Wall, and Muhammed/Porter as the nucleus for this team for the foreseeable future.
9) October 1st: Make Wall and Beal captains:
Wall is the PG. He is the leader out there on the court. Beal could be on the way to becoming your franchises most important player. Not to mention from all accounts Beal is a natural leader. He’s was a vocal leader at Florida as a freshmen and can be that same type of leader in Washington if giving the chance. Wall lets his play talk and Beal uses his voice. Perfect combo for your young leaders…
P.S. There is a broken BBQ dispenser in section 109 that is really screwing with my man Jammal’s chicken tender game… can we fix that while we’re at it
Category: Blogs
100% Lock it up. Love this article. Throw in Oladipo's name for #7 and someone pass this thing along to Ted. Good stuff.
Agree with everything. This stuff couldn't happen soon enough. Lets hope Ted can finally see the light this off-season.
I think he is this year's Kawhi Leonard in the draft
Oladipo scares the hell out of me as the next Calbert Cheaney aka good shooter out of Indiana who did nothing in the pros.
And bonus lol at the BBQ dispenser.
In fact, I agree with the whole article. 1. No Brainer. 2. For sure. 3. I am all in on Troy Weaver as our next GM, great choice. 4. Mike Malone should be on the shortlist. 5. I don't know, maybe we can trade him for someone with a broken leg or another torn ACL. 6. BAM! 7. If Shabazz isn't there, Porter is my pick as well. Also throw Oladipo in there. 8. Another no brainer. 9. Yup.
Yesssir, agreed Joe
With the 5th pick in the draft, you're supposed to take a player you expect to build around to improve your team for the future. Not acquire two veteran journeymen salaries for one season! Players Ernie passed on in 2009 draft for Miller and Foye: Steph Curry Ricky Rubio DeMar Derozan Jrue Holiday Ty Lawson Brandon Jennings Taj Gibson Darren Colison
The fact that step 1 is firing Ernie this plan is off to An amazing start. Right Trevor?
I agree with almost everything in this article except one thing... Vesely isn't The Grunfeld Era poster child, it's actually a player the Wizards never drafted at all. It's the player they COULD HAVE drafted 5th overall in 2009 but instead traded for Mike Miller and Randy Foye... both gone a year later!! Ernie must go!!!