Agree – Thomas should sit. Blatche should be McGee’s backup and Songaila is perfectly capable of filling in for Jamison for 10-15 minutes a night.

I don’t know if I can criticize Ernie’s handling of the Stevenson contract. Certainly, he got a steal on Blatche’s contract. Both are making much less than the League Average. Darius may be making a tad too much (but not much)… Daniels, until this year, was certainly worth paying a slightly over-market price. The Wizards didn’t have ANY young Point Guards to groom (which is a problem in my book) – and needed a steadying influence for the bench players. In my mind, Ernie really only made one MAJOR contract mistake, and that was to give a Starter’s salary AND a long contract term to Etan Thomas.

As for Defense – Although good players make for a good coach… I also believe that a good system takes into account the players weaknesses – and a system built around the player’s strengths, magnifies those strengths. When healthy, Brendan Haywood is close to the best defensive Center as there is in the Eastern Conference. Perhaps not as spectacular, and not as good Offensively – but a very good Defensive Center. (Not quite as good as Dwight Howard, but better than Ben Wallace or Z in Cleveland, better than Big Baby in Boston, better than the rotation guys they use in Detroit). But instead of using Brendan to anchor the Post, secure the middle, and guard the rim; Eddie had him chasing guards out 15 ft away from the basket – and doubling down in the Post whenever the ball went down low. I believe that “guard oriented” defensive mind set had to come from Eddie’s playing days when he used to pinch down and get steals from big men in the “olden” days. The results are open passing lanes, open driving lanes, and wide open outside shots.

If instead Eddie had just allowed Brendan to clog the middle, and let his perimeter players play man-up D on the outside threats – the Defense would have been much better.

Agree on Caron’s driving more. It will ultimately help the team….. but let’s hope they’re not like 3-15 before he regains his shooting touch.

Antawn’s rants the last two days have me puzzled. The “young guys” all seem to be playing well (except Blatche)- Young is hitting his shots and has improved his scoring average over last year. He’s actually playing passable defense, and he’s showing effort on that end of the court. McGee has been something just short of a miracle find. He plays with energy and fire. Dee Brown, whenever he plays, seems to play with passion. Even Andray Blatche is trying hard – he’s just not getting results. Seems like it’s the Veterans that have screwed up the start to this season:
Jamison shooting under 20% from 3-point land, but shooting more than anyone else on the team.
Butler with his shooting woes.
Stevenson can’t seem to get on track.
Daniels hasn’t been right all year.
Etan Thomas is just NOT starting material.
And as a whole, the Starters have played worse than the reserves – ESPECIALLY on Defense; where caring about the job you do counts the most.
So – I don’t get it.

Dumping contracts? I’m convinced that Ernie will use Haywood, Daniels, and Thomas’ expiring contracts to add talent next year near the trade deadline. But both Stevenson and Songaila will be very difficult to move- unless they are thrown in to a deal to make the contracts match up.