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Where are we in the process?

If you have ESPN Insider, you can listen to Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld on Chad Ford's Daily Dish podcast.  

The interview itself is kind of boring.  When Ford asked Ernie whether the Wizards are a bona fide title contender in his mind, Ernie's response was the cliche drives "Time will tell, that's why you play the games."  Ernie's personality does not embody the carefree and goofy character of the team, to say the least.  But I'm personally a fan of these podcasts, and it's cool that Chad Ford is recognizing the great stuff Ernie is doing.

The interview also offers an interesting opportunity to asses where we are right now in the building process.  Right now, I think we all know that, while this team is very exciting and certainly pretty good, they're nowhere near being a title contender.  Gilbert is too young to be the man for a title team, and there are too many holes around the Big 3 that can be exposed when bad things happen (like, oh, I don't know, a Jamison injury).  

But now that the Wizards have established themselves as a playoff-caliber team, where do we go from here?  What's the next move?  Making things tricky is that, while two of the Big 3 are young and in their primes, the other's window is closing.  Jamison is already past 30, and while he still has the savy to keep producing, his window of opportunity is closing, especially when you consider that (assuming he exercises his player option this offseason) he'll be a free agent in 2008, and it'll likely be his last chance at getting a big payday.  

The Wizards would be crazy to do anything brash at this point, but at the same time, there's clearly something missing with this bunch.  Through it all, I trust Ernie's judgement more than anyone, but it's somewhat unclear what this team needs.  

So let's consider this a good time to brainstorm.  To be clear, we're talking external upgrades, not "we need to play better team defense" upgrades.  What should Ernie be doing this offseason?

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American Legends
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by JMEnglish on Feb 8, 2007 6:26 PM EST reply actions  

Low Post Threat
The Wizards have shooters and cutters.  They could use one more Kyle Korveresque spot-up three guy, but there aren't a ton of them available.  The rumor is that Juan Dixon is unhappy at Portland.  I know he left DC because he wanted to be a starter somewhere, but he'd be a huge upgrade to our bench if he became available.

The big hole in this team right now is in the low post, though.  Brendan plays alright on defense -- better than he's given credit for -- but he isn't a low post threat.  Songalia was supposed to fill that hole, and maybe he'll rise to the challenge once he's healthy, but I just don't see him becoming the type of player defenses have to plan around.

Antawn isn't a natural power forward.  The wizards won't be a complete team until they sign one or make a major upgrade at center.

by sierradave on Feb 8, 2007 6:55 PM EST reply actions  

haywood
i dont think we need a major upgrade at center. as long as we have the big 3, we dont need a big scoring threat at center, as it would just take away from gilbert and caron's brilliance. sure, it would be nice to have shaq, but until jamison's contract is up, we dont have the cap room to make a big splash inside. haywood is a great offensive rebounder and a decent defender. i like him, as long as he doesnt try to post up and create his own shots a lot.

by joshp on Feb 8, 2007 9:10 PM EST up reply actions  

In fairness
I don't think sierradave was advocating for someone to replace Haywood.  

I agree with Josh's logic, but I also think the team could really use a traditional back-to-the-basket guy off the bench.  Kind of like Antoine Carr was for those Utah Jazz teams.  I think Ernie thinks Songaila is the guy, but I don't agree based on watching him.  

By the way, this is a rant for another time, but the one thing I think Ernie did really screw up (and probably the only thing, other than signing Etan Thomas to a 6M dollar contract) is the draft.  If you're going to sign Darius Songaila anyway, why draft Pecherov?  They seem to me like the same players.  

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 8, 2007 11:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Jamison
Everyone loves to hate on Jamison, but it has been painfully obvious over the past few games how he really opens up the floor for us on offense.  We do need some help on the defensive side, but not at the expense of Jamison.  

by And None on Feb 8, 2007 11:38 PM EST reply actions  

jamison
i agree on that..

by sirnanzy on Feb 9, 2007 1:26 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah
I think this recent stretch should stop those armchair GMs that want to trade him.  

Jamison is the Wizards' answer to Shawn Marion.  He'll invariably be underappreciated until he's not there.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 9, 2007 5:19 PM EST up reply actions  

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