"This team is built for Gilbert Arenas to lead us, this team is built for our all-star forwards to do certain offensive things for us and for Brendan Haywood to have a career year manning the middle for us," Jordan said. "We don't have those things. You're asking people to do things that they are not capable of doing. They are not capable of carrying the load for us like a Dwyane Wade, like a Gilbert Arenas. You've got young guys who aren't going to make veteran plays night in, night out. They're going to be good here and there, so to be in the game is a credit to everyone in our organization right now. It's eight games into the season and you've got to be positive but you've also got to be realistic about things. That's where we are."
Eddie Jordan, per the Washington Post. He might as well have said "Ernie, I hate this team, fire me."
about 1 year ago
Mike Prada
17 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
And yet
He consistently runs Thomas and Stevenson out to start the 1st and 3rd quarters and the team is always behind (in a hurry). I’m pretty sure the young guys aren’t the problem.
by Matt K. on Nov 19, 2008 8:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Eddie's comments
I was also struck by this when I heard it on the radio on my drive home from the game. Its the first time that I remember that Eddie whined about the injuries and sounded like he’d given up. Usually, his comments are along the lines of “We don’t worry about injuries. We play with what we have and can’t worry about who we don’t " etc.
So I’m a bit concerned if it means he has a "its all out of our hands” mindset when it comes to the on the court performance of the team he has.
by hotplate on Nov 19, 2008 9:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
oof.
that’s baaad talk from a head coach.
It’s unfortunate because I think he’s a good coach. But you can’t have a guy who’s quit on the team, as the team will then quit on him. Same thing happened with Skiles, though Skiles’ case was worse because he didn’t have a bunch of injuries ruining his team.
USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 19, 2008 10:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
He's losin it...
Combine it with his assaults on Blatche and it’s pretty plain that EJ’s tension kettle is about to whistle.
by jvflail on Nov 19, 2008 10:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
You'd be losin it too...
Eddie Jordan is not a happy guy… and he has not been dealt a good hand this season.
But why does he insist on starting Thomas and Stevenson? At some point you have to look at what the numbers are telling you and play the guys who are producing. I have to say that I was absolutely flabbergasted when I saw that no changes were made in the starting lineup last night.
Any Avery sightings yet?
by khrabb on Nov 19, 2008 11:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm losin it anyway
At least he’s making money coaching. I’m making no money rooting for this JV trainwreck.
by jvflail on Nov 19, 2008 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is Good News
Like Prada hinted at, this is the sort of thing a coach says when he knows he’s about to get fired. This is a very good thing for this team, IMO, in the long run, although probably not for this season. Ernie needs to bring in a guy with a proven track record of getting results, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. Then that new coach would have the whole rest of this season to prepare this team for the next, assuming there’s not an immediate turnaround that can somehow get this team into the playoffs.
I think the Wizards can attract a top-tier coach, because they have a boatload of young talent that has proven it can compete even without a competent defense. Imagine what a coach who can teach defense can do with this team!
This season will probably be difficult to watch after we’ve been spoiled with four straight playoff appearances, but the end result could well be worth it. Let’s hope for either a dramatic change this season or a lucky ping pong ball bounce this upcoming offseason.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
by cuppettcj on Nov 19, 2008 12:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
the problem with hiring a defensive-minded coach is
we don’t have enough defensive-minded players.
by Pryme on Nov 19, 2008 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree
A defensive-minded coach can breed defensive-minded players. All it takes is a system that generates results, and you’ll see more and more of our players buying into defensive effort. I think the reason a lot of our players don’t commit themselves more to defense is because they get frustrated when the extra effort they give produces no results. So they gamble and go for blocks or steals because they don’t trust the system.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
by cuppettcj on Nov 19, 2008 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
When James or McGrady win DPOTY
I’ll agree with you 100% (they’ve both had defensive-minded coaches).
by Pryme on Nov 19, 2008 12:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Do You Have to Be a DPOTY
To be considered a competent defensive player? Last I checked, the teams James and McGrady play for both have top 10 defenses. So apparently their supposed lack of defense isn’t hurting their teams that much.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
by cuppettcj on Nov 19, 2008 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What I'm trying to say is that
bringing in a new coach who preaches defense will do as much for Arenas or Young as Mike Brown has done for James. Having a defensive-minded coach is not the cure-all for this bunch. This is basically a veteran team and vet teams don’t do change well. Playing defense is a mindset that needs to be instilled early on and for some of these guys, it’s too late.
They are like the George Karl Milwaukee Bucks: they feel motivated to play “D” only after they score. It’s twisted, but it’s what they are.
by Pryme on Nov 19, 2008 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Couldn't Disagree More
But I guess we’ll have to leave it at that. I simply don’t believe that the Wizards are incapable of playing good defense. I believe that they don’t because they have never been taught and have never practiced good defense. Coaches do matter, IMO, when it comes to such things.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
by cuppettcj on Nov 19, 2008 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not a good judge of coaching but...
I am a fan of Jeff Van Gundy and would like to see what he could do with this team.
by Lukbuster on Nov 19, 2008 4:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
could be a response to
jamison’s comments. it’s basically throwing in the towel and saying we can’t win consistently with the guys we have available right now. i don’t have a problem with that. it’s the truth.
sometimes it’s good to reset expectations and take some of the pressure of the guys.
the important thing is they continue to compete, even if they don’t win every night, and that they get better as the season goes on.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Nov 19, 2008 5:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You're right
The question from a reporter was directed at Stephenson and his poor play so far this season. Eddie was responding to that.
I think he was trying to deflect criticism from his players, without putting it all on himself and his Coaching Staff.
But – it sure sounded defeatist to me.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Nov 20, 2008 8:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
