So, the trade talk. Aldridge told the crew there had been some feeling that Antonio Daniels was...

So, the trade talk. Aldridge told the crew there had been some feeling that Antonio Daniels was getting increasingly negative and critical, and that with a bench filled with young kids, they didn't need that.

David Aldridge, via the DC Sports Bog. I'll put this link in the game thread to come shortly, but I felt this part deserved its own thread. I'm quite surprised to hear this.

about 1 year ago Mike Prada 11 comments 0 recs |

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Wow

Who would’ve thought AD would be shipped out because of character issues? An oversimplification, I know, but still.

by Aldo on Dec 11, 2008 7:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

except

1. “negative and critical” comments by Daniels would be completely out of character

2. Local beat writers for the Washington Post and the Washington Times never mentioned “negative and critical” comments by Daniels. These beat writers cover the team every day, every practice, every game – during the season.

3. Local Wizards blogs never mentioned any supposed negative comments by Daniels.

4. Antawn Jamison has made several negative and critical comments; specifically AT THE YOUNG KIDS; and he didn’t get traded.

Yet, David Aldridge, who flies into DC once a year to cover a game, somehow knows some dirt about the Wizards team that NO ONE ELSE knew?

I think that David Aldridge just made that crap up…..

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 11, 2008 7:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I doubt he made it up

He’s not like that. My guess is that someone pushed that out from the Ernie camp as a way to sort of justify the trade.

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

by Mike Prada on Dec 11, 2008 7:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

funny you should say that

Charley Rosen thinks another recent decision Ernie made was used for justify his roster moves.

by Pryme on Dec 11, 2008 8:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Doubt It

I agree with Prada, I don’t think he made this up. AD is a veteran with a lot of pride, so like Jamison, he was probably getting in people’s faces in the locker room to try and motivate them. Unfortunately, the youth today tends to have thin skins and don’t respond well to negative criticism, so like Jamison’s criticism, it probably backfired.

Local beat writers for the Washington Post and the Washington Times never mentioned "negative and critical" comments by Daniels. These beat writers cover the team every day, every practice, every game – during the season.

And yet they miss stuff all of the time. How many of them reported that Eddie Jordan had lost the ability to reach the younger players? There are still things that go on in the Wizards locker room that they don’t clue the beat writers in on. Sometimes the truth only comes out later on.

Antawn Jamison has made several negative and critical comments; specifically AT THE YOUNG KIDS; and he didn’t get traded.

I wonder why that is? Could it be because he’s a two-time All-Star still performing at a high level? You can’t compare Antawn to AD at this point. One has a game that is in serious decline and a much more tradable contract.

"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 Dec 12, 2008 8:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Really? I'm not all that surprised.

AD is a great guy and all but being the teacher of the game that he is, he gets frustrated when guys aren’t at his level in terms of knowledge of the game. Just watch Nick & Dom’s impersonation of AD at the 4:10 mark (keep in mind that was filmed last year, when the team was good) and I think you get an idea of what Daniels could be like at times.

I think Aldridge probably over dramatized it some (he probably wasn’t any more critical than Jamison has been) but it doesn’t shock me all that much to hear that all the losing had made him a bit negative and critical.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Dec 11, 2008 7:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

He did win a ring with Duncan and Pop, so it’s not surprising to hear that the season’s been eating at him a little.

by Pryme on Dec 11, 2008 8:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oops

I realize now that you guys made my point for me above.

"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 Dec 12, 2008 8:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Makes sense to me

Pretty much every time I noticed AD during a timeout, he was chewing on some young guy’s ear about something, and looking pretty frustrated. During such a difficult season, it’s not much of a leap to think that his remarks became (or at least became perceived to be) “negative and critical.” When a team in enduring some hardship, having a guy complain to you about how you’re not standing in the right place can get pretty annoying, especially when he’s producing just about nothing himself.

I think AD is a great guy and a good teammate, but perhaps it was best for all concerned that he had a change of scenery.

That said, man, what a pair of dismal performance by James and Critter last night. Oy.

As for Jamison, I think the difference in the perception of his remarks likely would be because he’s scoring and grabbing boards.

As for Aldridge, I’ve never known him to be anything but a complete pro, so while his source may not be accurate in this case, I’d be extremely hesitant to claim that he simply made this up. Also, I’m pretty sure he’s got strong ties to DC, so it’s not like he just pops in once in a blue moon.

"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."

by Vanilla Gorilla on Dec 12, 2008 8:12 AM EST reply actions 1 recs