Ernie Grunfeld and Gilbert Arenas both have decisions to make. Gilbert needs to decide whether or not to carry through with his decision to opt out of his contract. A smart, rational person would probably not opt out after such a poor season (not Gil’s fault, but still), but Gilbert does not fit both of those descriptions. If Gilbert does opt out, then Ernie needs to decide whether or not the Wizards try to keep him. That decision drastically affects the style of this team.

If Gilbert opts out, then I think Ernie should only resign him if Gilbert agrees to a less than maximum contract. I’d say 13 million a year tops. I don’t think Gil would take that, because it would be nothing more than an extension of his player option year salary. Assuming Gilbert moves on to another team, the Wizards should replace Eddie Jordan with Avery Johnson and emphasize defense and a strong half-court offense, their strengths when Arenas does not play. Avery Johnson did a magnificent job of doing that for Dallas when he first took over for Nellie.

If Gilbert doesn’t opt out or Ernie resigns him, then the Wizards should replace Eddie Jordan with Mike D’Antoni and emphasize a fast-break style with precision and control. When Gil is in the lineup, the Wizards play with a much faster style, but that can quickly devolve into sloppy play and senseless turnovers. D’Antoni would take advantage of the fast style but would instill discipline into the system, allowing the Wizards to consistently play at that fast level without making so many mistakes and without letting their guard down against inferior teams (see New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, and New Jersey Nets). Quite frankly, I think if Amare Stoudemire wasn’t suspended for Game 5 of last year’s playoffs, then the Suns would be the NBA champions. That’s how good and how consistent Mike D’Antoni can get a team to play.

Either way, I think Eddie must go. I was calling for his head after the team’s 0-5 start, and I admit I was impressed with the way he held this team together through all of the adversity this season. But I still don’t think he’s that great as a head coach. A very good offensive assistant coach, but not a good big cheese. He doesn’t motivate his players well in big games (is it merely coincidence that the Wizards usually lose close playoff games?), he doesn’t utilize his bench or make good decisions on rotations (I think everyone here agrees with this), and he can’t get this team to play well consistently. An Eddie Jordan team can beat the Celtics one night and lose to the Knicks the next. It has always been that way with Eddie and it probably always will. As long as Eddie is the coach, I will continously be throwing back Maalox in the 4th quarter and will probably have a heart attack before the age of 35. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Wizards could go on a huge 15/16 game winning streak during a season? You know, like the kind the Mavs and the Suns went on last season? I’m all for that.

I wouldnt say the eddie is a “lousy head coach” or even a poor one, but i do think he has a ceiling of being about a B. He can get a team in the playoffs every year, but he doesnt have the hard edged disciplinary style that i feel is necessary to be a championship team. With good enough players, he might even win 50 games, but to be THE best one year, i dont think he could mold that kind of team.

That being said, im not sure avery johnson does either. Johnson seemed like he had it, but the last 2 years have not represented him well. I think dirk nowitzki being a softy and mark cuban/donnie nelson’s constant tinkering needs to also shoulder a fair share of the blame, but avery did lose the team.

D’antoni, i think hes got the personality but not the style. To win in the nba, you have to buckle down sometimes and his phoenix teams couldnt do that. Was it him? or was it the players? I cant say, but i do personally like him and what he could do with an already hard minded team lead by someone like butler or jamison would be interesting.