So much for putting that money acquired from selling the draft pick to good use...
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 2:46 PM EDT
in Free Agency
163 comments
(Groan).
Wednesday signals the beginning of the NBA's free agency period, and although teams are free to begin courting and negotiating with players, don't expect the Washington Wizards to spring into action.
Instead, the Wizards are expected to wait, then comb the leftovers to add the final pieces to their roster.
(snip)
And while the team would like to add a veteran big man, it has no desire to go after a high-priced big name like Rasheed Wallace or Antonio McDyess or to use the mid-level exception (roughly $5 million) to try to sign a Chris Wilcox or Zaza Pachulia. Instead, the Wizards envision the final addition as a reliable spot-minute player who will come at a relatively low price.
So if we were just going after someone cheap, wouldn't it have made sense to, you know, draft the best rebounding big man in college basketball in the last 10 years and pay him $500,000 or so? Obviously we don't need DeJuan Blair when we can sign Mikki Moore to yell, scream and not rebound for five minutes a game.
Let's review our finances for a second. We were slated at a total team salary of about 75.5 million before the Randy Foye/Mike Miller trade. That number would have risen to 79 million after accounting for the salary of the fifth pick in the draft. Executing the Foye/Miller trade saved us nearly four million dollars off our 2009/10 payroll, dropping it closer to 74 million. We don't yet know what the luxury tax is, but it was around 71.15 million last year. The amount of cash aquired for the 32nd pick was 2.5 million, which nearly accounts for the difference between our current payroll and last year's luxury tax hit. Abe doesn't want to pay double? No problem, he has cash from selling away DeJuan Blair to help cover him. So much for using that cash to help alleviate the additional cost of a full MLE guy. Instead, it alleviates the cost of the Wizards' payroll as it currently stands. It alleviates a cost that already existed, not a future cost that could better improve the on-court product. Lovely.
We therefore sacrificed a player who could fill a roster spot for about $500,000 to instead fill it with a guy who makes $1.3 million in order for Abe to help alleviate a long-standing cost that everyone knew about since the economy crashed. Even if the second-round pick wasn't the most productive rebounder in college basketball in the last decade, that's not great financial planning. In this climate, high second-round picks are great buys because you can get a first-round caliber talent without having to commit to a guaranteed contract. Even if you sign the guy, it's for half as much as even a late first-round pick. There were many things the Wizards could have done well before the draft to be able to use that asset effectively. They could have declined Oleksiy Pecherov's option, which made sense when you consider how little he actually played since being drafted. They didn't have to make the trade for Javaris Crittenton, who has been pushed even further down the depth chart with the trade for Foye and Miller. They could have dumped one of their young guys on a team for a non-guaranteed contract (e.g. James and Critt/Young for Stackhouse). All these could have helped alleviate the existing problem better than selling a high second-round pick for cash.
Now, the cost is losing Blair and missing a chance at adding an MLE free agent. The Wizards are saying publicly that they like their team as is and don't need another big man. Seriously, read down in Jones' article.
But whomever the Wizards sign, he isn't expected to log many minutes in their crowded rotation.
Jamison and Andray Blatche are at the top of the depth chart at power forward along with Dominic McGuire and, in a pinch, Miller. Haywood will start at center with second-year player JaVale McGee backing him up and Blatche seeing some minutes there.
That leaves few minutes for an incoming player.
Mike Miller and Dominic McGuire at power forward? Either Eddie Jordan is coaching again, or the Wizards are fooling themselves about their needs. How can there be no minutes in the frontcourt available when your only four frontcourt players are Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood (never a huge minute-guy before, maybe he will be now), inconsistent Andray Blatche and raw JaVale McGee? There are few minutes for an incoming player only because they can't afford an incoming player good enough to take those minutes. If Zaza Pachulia were on this team, a good coach could very easily find 25 minutes a game for him.
Seriously, the Wizards need another big body badly. I like Blatche and McGee and think they'll provide a lot more next year than people think, but doesn't it put a hit to the "win now' mentality to make two inconsistent young players your only legitimate backup bigs? What if someone gets hurt? What if you're not getting what you want from them in a critical situation? If you're building for the future slowly or not going anywhere (like last year), then I wouldn't care if we're a little thin up front like this and dolling out development minutes, but we're supposedly in win-now mode. To fully capatalize, we need an upgrade on Darius Songaila, no matter the cost.
Instead, we're stuck hoping Ernie can find another bargain player for 1.3 million. Maybe he can like he has before, maybe he can't, but either way, we've closed off the possiblitiy of paying whatever's necessary for a known upgrade to Songaila, like Zaza, Gortat or whoever. I don't think that's what we fans had in mind when we sold the Blair pick for cash.
Clearly, our recent moves are at least as much about money as they are about on-court play. It's becoming harder and harder to deny that at this point.
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Bad signs I agree, Mike...
IF the low budget signing turns out to be Rasho, I would think we could call off the suicide watch.
But oh how different ths is from the news that Darryl Morey was twittering about bringing Marcin Gortat to the Rockets by abour 12:01 AM on the 1st day of free agent season…
by khrabb on Jul 1, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Rasho would qualify as a pretty good bargain, but it doesn’t change the sign that low-bargain is the only option. That troubles me more than whoever we get.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Expecting too much
I respectfully think you’re expecting too much. 2.5 mil plus 500k is 3 mil for that second round pick. I think lots of folks on this board expected way too much out of the offseason. I particularly find the references to “Cheap Abe (not yours)” offensive. They have the third highest payroll in the league!
Second round picks don’t even make the team half the time. I don’t think the fifth big man on the roster is as important as you say, despite the skinniness. Sure we need one, I agree there, but you can’t have it all. I liked Blair too, but i trust that the Wizards and the 29 other teams know what they are doing. I can’t imagine that Blair would be better than Songaila, or even some of the guys we’d get for 1.3 mil. At least not better enough better to get upset about.
“Suicide watch?” for a backup’s backup? I just don’t get it. I for one am really happy they upgraded their roster and feel like the Wizards are among the most talented teams in the east.
by ReboundingLs on Jul 1, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you're building strawmen
I particularly find the references to "Cheap Abe (not yours)" offensive.
2.5 mil plus 500k is 3 mil for that second round pick.
None of that money is going toward the team, except to address an already-existing luxury tax hit that they knew about for months. It’s all going to Abe’s pocket. If the Wizards were to use that money to make an additional acquisition, then that line of thinking makes sense, but that’s not what it seems they are doing.
I particularly find the references to "Cheap Abe (not yours)" offensive.
What exactly are you talking about? What references? The word “cheap” appears nowhere in this post in association with Abe Pollin. There’s a ton of gray area between being cheap and overspending. This post questions whether management is spending smartly, not that they aren’t spending. There is such a huge difference there.
They have the third highest payroll in the league!
But that’s with basically a full roster. Many teams are lower but with more players that need to be signed, which will allow them to leapfrog the Wizards. Those numbers are really misleading right now.
Second round picks don’t even make the team half the time.
So what? It’s such a tiny risk compared to handing over more money to someone who we know can’t play anymore, like a Mikki Moore or a Jason Collins, etc.
Sure we need one, I agree there, but you can’t have it all.
What’s this supposed to mean? What you can have is a solid direction, instead of trying to get better and cut some salary at the same time. Either buy or sell.
"Suicide watch?" for a backup’s backup?
Clearly khrabb doesn’t mean that phrase literally.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ignore the first block quote
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not convinced
The sentence right before the “Cheap Abe” remark refers to “a lot of folks on this board.”
I most certainly do not think more than a few teams would “leapfrog” us as far as payroll.
I just honestly don’t think it’s realistic or even that big a deal to get an expensive (MLE or more) big man.
Look, I’ve followed this blog for some time and think you all do a great job. I particularly respect the passion, but sometimes caring so much leads to over analysis and unrealistic expectations.
by ReboundingLs on Jul 1, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I most certainly do not think more than a few teams would "leapfrog" us as far as payroll.
Here’s a list of payrolls.
1. New Orleans $77,575,998
2. L.A. Lakers $76,759,733
3. Washington $75,808,291
4. Cleveland $74,493,925
5. Boston $73,376,991
6. Utah 72,049,799
7. San Antonio $71,135,775
8. Dallas $70,394,830
9. New York $70,353,475
10. Miami $69,681,632
11. Denver $68,741,314
12. Orlando $68,065,216
13. Houston $65,392,249
14. Chicago $63,881,972
15. Milwaukee $62,552,327
16. Phoenix $61,222,538
17. Philadelphia $58,468,491
18. Golden State $58,078,605
19. L.A. Clippers $57,984,404
20. Indiana $57,786,131
21. Charlotte $56,575,697
22. New Jersey $54,716,027
23. Sacramento $53,841,550
24. Minnesota $50,867,220
25. Portland $48,675,767
26. Toronto $46,092,020
27. Atlanta $42,799,583
28. Oklahoma City $41,766,515
29. Detroit $39,002,577
30. Memphis $37,719,633
Boozer and Okur not opting out puts Utah ahead already. Cleveland, Boston and San Antonio are using their MLE, so they jump up. Re-signing Kidd puts Dallas ahead of us too. Orlando has eight players under contract, so they have to leap up just to fill out their roster. Denver has 11 players under contract and re-signing Birdman to the MLE puts them ahead of us. The Knicks have 10 players under contract, so they’re not staying put. Houston has 11 players under contract, and re-signing Ron Artest puts them way up on the list.
That’s nine teams already, and other teams could jump depending on the prices of their own free agents.
And besides, nobody is talking about being cheap. They’re talking about smart spending. If you’re struggling for money, then selling a $500,000 contract away isn’t good management of roster spots.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow... I sure hope not...
Gotta Lighten Up Gang,,, this is a basketball team we are talking about.
by khrabb on Jul 1, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They have the third highest payroll in the league!
This idea of the third highest payroll needs to be debunked. We have the 3rd highest payroll on July 1 at the start of the free agency signing period. I think at the end of the signing period we’re most likely to drop. Most teams will try their best to stay under the cap, however, their will be a few who go over like Boston, Cleveland, Utah, Dallas, New York and San Antonio.
by Kryp on Jul 1, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Argh
The story is that the team is content with the players it has, when the reality is that these are the only players we are willing to spend the money to sign. Thats the central reality. The financial situation forces the team to pretend its happy with its basketball situation.
That said, I will eat my words if the team does make a big acquisition but…how many summers in a row is it that the Wizards have neither been big players in the draft or free agency??? Regardless of its effect on competitiveness, it means that we don’t have much to talk about during the summer, which admittedly biases me against the stick-with-what-we-have approach.
And…Haywood only plays 25-30 mpg. Given that McGee doesn’t match up well yet (with his slender frame) against certain big men, we need a legit (scratch the Calvin Booth clones from your lists) backup center and another more-than-serviceable big man.
As Prada has suggested, its not that we aren’t spending, its that we aren’t even managing our money wisely (which you have to do if you want to save and simultaneously compete) esp. w the 32nd pick.
by morethesamewiz on Jul 1, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm sad now.
Now writing for Ridiculous Upside, now with more draft coverage.
by Jon L on Jul 1, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My guess
Is that Ernie simply agreed to trade the 2nd round pick before he ever knew that Blair would be there. Based on the news conferences, he basically never intended to use it.
I maintain that this isn’t the largest problem in the world – we’re talking 10 minutes a night here, and I’m not sure if some small ball wouldn’t fit this team pretty well anyways. But I totally agree with your premise that the best 10 minute solution would have been Blair.
by mfish on Jul 1, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
By Smallball
I sure hope you’re not talking about 10 Minutes of Antawn Jamison at Center……
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not quite
I was talking more about how the Wizards lineups will be affected by the imbalance. You might see Miller or Caron play the four for a few minutes here and there as opposed to going with a Blatche-McGee combo at the 4-5.
You’ve got me thinking, though. It’s not unreasonable to think that our five best players might be Arenas-Foye-Miller-Butler-Jamison. I would love at some point for Flip to throw them out there and see what happens, particularly when the other team has offensive dead weight in at the five. It obviously wouldn’t be a long-term fix, but it’d be fun to see for a four minute spurt here and there in the right situation. Bear in mind that Butler, Jamison and especially Miller are all above average rebounders, and you’d have five guys out there who could spread the floor.
The Suns have put out worse – I’m pretty sure Grant Hill played center from time to time last year.
by mfish on Jul 6, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I Kind of Like This Idea
You’ve got me thinking, though. It’s not unreasonable to think that our five best players might be Arenas-Foye-Miller-Butler-Jamison. I would love at some point for Flip to throw them out there and see what happens, particularly when the other team has offensive dead weight in at the five.
This kind of reminds me of certain NCAA teams in the Tournament who, lacking anyone of substantive height, played smallball and required that everyone on the floor fight for defensive rebounds. Since all five of those guys can rebound, it wouldn’t be a bad lineup to throw out there in exactly the situation you mentioned to see if we could run up the score at a fast pace.
If it doesn’t work, however, Flip should be quick with a timeout to get our big boys back out there. But it could work in some cases.
"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 Jul 6, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if that's
the case, then Ernie loses my respect. I still contend we should have waited for the picks to play out before we made the 1st trade. To not wait and see what you could get in the 2nd round is irresponsible. Especially since our BEST PLAYER is a former 2nd rounder. Not to mention major contributer’s to the last 2 NBA champions (Davis, Ariza)
by CJHutch on Jul 1, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why did anyone really think the Wizards were going to sign someone to anywhere close to the full MLE?
To do that they likely would’ve needed to sign a player to a long-term contract, which wouldn’t bode well for resigning key players. Also as I’ve stated before every team has their financial limits. Given that the Wizards have a much higher team salary than most other teams and given that they only won 19 games, surely they’re right around those limits.
The Wizards will likely be able to find a decent bargain given the free agent market (if you haven’t noticed other teams are playing this year’s market really cautiously too), who can provide a little more depth to a team a little thin in the frontcourt. Nonetheless, a Haywood-Jamison-Blatche-McGee frontcourt is pretty damn good. McGuire probably could do fine if given occassional minutes at the 4. By signing a lower-budget free agent, the Wizards will inevitably give both McGee and Blatche more minutes. Depending on who you are on this board, that’s a good thing.
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 1, 2009 3:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why did we?
Because we sold the pick, and were assured we were in win now mode. And its hard to believe that we are going to win now against the Garnetts and Howards during the 15 mpg that Haywood is on the bench, if we don’t have a legit backup center. Javale is going to be an allstar someday, but its debatable whether he has the physical strength yet to hold his own yet when good centers try to post up on him. And I’ve yet to see post defense from Blatche.
We still have Mike James and Nick Young/Deshawn STevenson that we need to trade or sign&trade for a MLE-level big man if we are unwilling to pay the MLE w/ our current salary level.
Isn’t the 3rd highest salary stat highly misleading because most teams have yet to fill out their rosters?
by morethesamewiz on Jul 1, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it is a little misleading, but after the free agency period is done, you can still expect the Wizards to be in the top-10 at the very least.
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 1, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with people saying that the GM’S must know something about blair if so many people passed on him. Yes the Spurs picked him up and they are known for picking up good pieces, it doesn’t mean that Blair will be a star or even a serviceable backup. I like the additions to the team and want to give Ernie the support he deserves. Also I think Blatche and McGee will really step up in a much better coaching environment with Flip than Jordan or Tapscott. From the article earlier about the poor teaching of NY, I think our team will perform admirably this coming season and in summer league.
by seamles on Jul 1, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you are overreacting a little
One, if we sign a guy for $1.3M than that $2.5M would be used (including luxury tax) to pay for a vet.
Two, the Celtics won a world championship with a 35 year old PJ Brown getting minutes. I think Joe Johnson can do what he did
Three, its not just the money this year, but if you gave blair a two year deal, then is also takes us salary cap / luxury tax next year when we are trying to resign haywood/foye/miller. If the wiz really like this team and want to keep it in tack we really cannot afford to add any more salary for 2010-2011, what a second round pick would have done
Four, I really like the faith he is
Lasty, We can still try to package NY and Stevenson for a big. We would still have enough depth at guard with miller/foye/crit. The cap for next year would be the same since both those guys are under contract and we would have a much more balances roster.
But yes, forsight on the Crit deal, and Pesh options would have been nice. One less year on Stevenson’s contract would have been even better. But Hindsight is 20/20. For June I do not think this was a bad decision to sell a draft. Sign a vet to a one year team, keep the core of the team together, and provide lot of mintues to blatch and mcgee
by Blatche4MVP on Jul 1, 2009 4:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Couple of Edits
Two should be joe smith not johnson
Four meant to say “I really like the faith he has in Blatch and McGee”
by Blatche4MVP on Jul 1, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that this is sorta an overreaction
I’d be happy with a 1.3M guy as the 5th big man even if we could’ve gotten Blair but we should all realize that everything cant go exactly how we want it to all the time. I know its our job as fans to criticize but we shouldnt over do it and be ready to start a riot everytime something doesnt go our way. We never know whats Ernie is thinking anyway, he could have something up his sleeve that none of us are expecting. Thats why I rarely respond to kneejerk posts.
by lj15 on Jul 1, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
…well let’s hope we have a clever trade proposal ready.
by Fundefined on Jul 1, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yep, agreed
Hey all,
1st post here after having recently discovered the site (which is great, btw).
Think about it, let’s assume Jamison and Haywood take up around 70 minutes per game of the available 96 minutes at the PF/C position, how much do we realistically have left to portion out between Blatche, McGee +1. Blatche has averaged, what, 17 mpg in his career. You’ve got to factor in at least the same or maybe a few extra minutes depending on how he takes to Flip’s coaching. How many minutes do you give McGee for his own development? I think the 1.3m for a 1 year deal for a vet is the right move given the limited minutes and the flexibility it preserves for next year to resign key players.
by sweet_as on Jul 1, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely agree.
Plus, I can understand the Wizards being gunshy about guys with knee problems.
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 1, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My concerns are
Injury
Bulk
Available fouls to give
by MR on Jul 1, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes yes and yes
well and tersely stated
by khrabb on Jul 1, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
legit concerns, but...
1. how much should a fiscally responsible GM spend to cover those bases, and
2. when do you pull the trigger to cover those bases?
I’m reasonably ok with the squad as it stands. It should be more than good enough to keep us in the playoff race during the 1st half of the season while giving Blatche/McGee enough development opportunities. If we find out that the front court is severely lacking or injuries strike, then we can swing a deal. The good thing about waiting is that we may get better options for the big man a number of teams will have worked out by then that they suck and no longer in the playoff race and look to rebuild. The expiring contracts of Mike James (and Miller) will be gold.
by sweet_as on Jul 1, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is
. how much should a fiscally responsible GM spend to cover those bases
the point I made last week. This offseason has been more about saving money than getting better. All of our moves point that way. To say that we shouldn’t sign someone because it will take minutes away from our guys doesn’t make sense. How about trying to build the best team possible. And let our guys EARN their minutes. And, god forbid, say Haywood gets hurt. Are you REALLY comfortable with Blatche and McGee guarding Shaq and Dwight Howard? Even with Brendan, one of those guys will be getting pummeled in the paint when he gets in foul trouble.
by CJHutch on Jul 1, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It'll all be fine
As long as AJ, Haywood, Blatche, and McG all play 82 games and never get into foul trouble ever.
Oh and add that McGee takes a big leap forward.
And Orlando moves out of our division.
Otherwise we need another big, probably two.
by MR on Jul 1, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Otherwise we need another big, probably two.”
Which Ernie will doing…
by sweet_as on Jul 2, 2009 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course I’m not comfortable with McGee and Blatche manning the paint against the likes of Shaq and Howard. But you’re now talking about matchups in the playoffs.
Let’s see how the regular season pans out. God forbid, we have another injury riddled season or just plain suck, and the decision is made to blow the team up, the Wiz then have the flexibility to do so.
I’m frustrated that we the Wiz aren’t planning on making another significant move, but I can see his reasoning.
by sweet_as on Jul 2, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see how this info changes anything
We already knew that the Wiz have salary cap issues and so we knew that they were going to be cost conscious and so it really shouldn’t be surprising that we aren’t out there bidding up free agents right away.
To be honest, I actually don’t think that there is much content to this info because:
1) The Wiz have nothing to gain by talking up how much we need to add a big man (it will only increase the asking price).
2) The Wiz have nothing to gain by actively pursuing a big man if we are being cost concious (it will only increase the price to be out there setting the market demand for one)
3) The Wiz probably know better than we do how much money is out there for teams to spend relative to how many free agents there are. If there are alot more free agents than money (its looking that way with only 5 teams having more than the exceptions to spend), then it behooves the Wiz to let the spenders fight it out and then to swoop in after words to scoop up the players who lost out on contracts more cheaply
4) Ernie knows he can’t go into the season with Javale as our primary backup center, especially when Brendan has never averaged 30min/game. Ernie also knows that signing someone to a multi-year contract seriously impairs our future flexibility so he wants to add this piece for a single year, and wants to do it cheaply. This means he has to be patient, not sound desparate and just bide his time to see who will be available and he can get under those criteria.
by Manimal Smith on Jul 1, 2009 4:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Folks
I don’t think a lot of people are understanding the objection. Clearly, the Wiz are cost-conscious. This is not a surprise to me. What’s annoying is that, given you are cost-conscious, it’s so silly to sell away a $500,000 contract for someone like DeJuan Blair unless you are going for a clear upgrade. A $1.3 million veteran isn’t going to be a clear upgrade on DeJuan Blair. Cite knee problems all you want, but at such a small price, it’s worth the risk. The guy also had no injury problems in college, so I think this was just NBA GMs freaking out over nothing (combined with late first-round teams not wanting to use a guaranteed salary and early second-round teams committing to selling picks before knowing who was there).
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep
I was stupid enough to believe that Ernie would not be this stupid. Since he is this stupid, all of your points about Blair are now validated. I just can’t believe this.
"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 Jul 1, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
right
this reminds me of the Suns moving their pick when they didn’t think Igoudala would be there, but he was. They (D’Antoni) then paid Marcus Banks 16M over 4 seasons instead of holding on to Rondo’ rights. they stayed away from the draft and paid retail and thus ‘spent unwisely’.
I never thought they’d spend big after hearing Flip use the words “insurance big” in the Miller/Foye presser.
by Jheiser3 on Jul 1, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right ....
I don’t disagree it was stupid to sell the Blair pick, but unless this post was primarily about criticizing Ernie for that stupid decision, I don’t follow. We have talked alot about that already in other posts, so I kind of assumed you were criticizing his apparent FA strategy.
My take is that regardless of the Blair situation that this FA strategy makes perfect sense – the Wiz shouldn’t be bidding up the players they are after, nor should they be announcing their desperation. All I see from the above quotes is Ernie being fairly shrewd and understanding that contract $ are going to go down and its best to be patient in this kind of environment.
by Manimal Smith on Jul 1, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was mostly intended to criticize Ernie for selling the pick
Because that cash isn’t going to a better player. If Blair was selected, I would have been very much in favor of waiting the market out.
I will admit that I wrote it during work when I should have been working, so it was a bit rushed. Clearly, I didn’t make myself as clear as I should have.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, then I agree
Selling Blair was not productive and it was about improving the team’s economic situation and not about basketball. There is no question about that (unless, perhaps, they actually use a fair chunk of the MLE to sign an impact rotation big to a one year deal). Ernie being stupid about selling the pick doesn’t mean this isn’t a shrewd FA strategy though – they are separate issues.
by Manimal Smith on Jul 1, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't totally agree here
Ernie being stupid about selling the pick doesn’t mean this isn’t a shrewd FA strategy though – they are separate issues.
I see what you’re saying, but I disagree somewhat.
What makes this so complicated is that the organization wants to win while Abe is here and the Big 3 are in their primes, yet they’re also struggling financially. In terms of getting on-court impact, I do think now this is a poor free agent strategy, because there’s more of a need for a quality big now that Blair isn’t on the roster.
But you could just as easily argue it’s a brilliant financial strategy (as you’ve laid out smartly) and be correct. On the court, though, you’re now you’re stuck hoping somebody doesn’t get what they want. You have fewer on-court options to choose from. Instead of potentially choosing between Brandon Bass (who can play but can’t rebound, which we need) and Zaza Pachulia (who can rebound really well), for example (pure hypothetical here) you’re choosing between Brandon Bass and Mikki Moore, who also doesn’t rebound well, but does other things worse than Bass. You get stuck potentially getting someone who isn’t an optimal fit because you’ve closed some options financially. Closing options like that would matter less if you drafted Blair because at least you have a rebounder now and only need a vet center to top off your frontcourt.
I think the smart thing to do to accomplish both the fiscal goal and the on-court goal would have been to draft Blair and sign a vets minimum guy (Theo Ratliff). Combined, they cost about as much as the cost of the fifth pick, so it’s not a huge cap hit.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see what you are saying, but I don't fully agree
Even if Blair would have been more productive than whomever we sign to the veteran minimum that cannot dictate our FA strategy.
If Ernie can’t find what we wants at the right price in the FA market he can move on to trades and use our remaining assets to find the right big guy (will be tough but still …). Simply because we don’t have Blair doesn’t mean we need to lose our minds and throw $25m at Zaza Pachulia just so we can have a better rotation for one year and then lose Brendan next year and be in an even crappier position.
I guess at bottom I don’t see how it behooves us to be more aggressive in free agency simply because we now don’t have Blair. We need to be just as cautious with our limited flexibility as we would have needed to been regardless and not mortgage our future to sign our 4th or 5th best front court player.
by Manimal Smith on Jul 1, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Time for Me to Eat a Little Crow
I’m literally horrified that Ernie is not going after a rotation guy in free agency. There is no way that JaVale McGee is ready to be the primary backup to Brendan. If that’s the case, then we should prepare ourselves now for blowing leads in the regular season as soon as Brendan goes to the bench. JaVale cannot guard the center position, period. And as much as I think Flip’s defensive scheme is going to make a huge difference, he’s going to need at least one defensive anchor to build that scheme around. And I absolutely shudder to think what might happen if Brendan gets injured again.
This is extremely depressing news. I feel like vomiting. If the Wizards are knocked out in the first round again this season, I will be calling for the firing of Ernie Grunfeld. Leaving the roster without a good interior defender or depth in the low post is inexcusable. This makes us extremely vulnerable in the playoffs. Ernie has made a huge mistake.
"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 Jul 1, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know nothing of Blair apart from reports on his knees
but would he really have been the back-up center we needed?
A good backup center would be great – no doubt. But are we overplaying our weaknesses here? Who do the Magic have to back-up Dwight, What about the Celtics back-up? Cavs?
by sweet_as on Jul 1, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
But Blair would have been better than nothing. Blair is just one aspect in all of this. The bigger problem is that Ernie left this roster lopsided in the trade without a good enough plan to patch the gaping holes in our front court. We’ve needed a competent big to backup Brendan and Antawn for years now, and for the first time I thought Ernie was laying the groundwork to address this need. But I guess I was wrong.
"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 Jul 1, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
fair point
and I’m sure Ernie knows this too. I refuse to believe that he cant see this. But he either has confidence in Blatche/McGee and Flip to do an ok job in the meantime until the right deal comes along. Whether the right deal is at the end of the summer or part-way into the season.
From what I recall our front court did ok in the 07-08 season with a healthy Haywood (question mark on Haywood’s return for this season). Were Blatche/Songalia the back-up (I cant remember)?
by sweet_as on Jul 1, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They Both Were
But from what I recall, Songaila was more effective on defense than Blatche was.
We were exposed to this weakness in the playoffs, however, as Cleveland hammered us inside and we could not stop them when Brendan went to the bench.
"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 Jul 1, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do you read this as Ernie saying no rotation big
He isn’t saying he isnt going to target a player in free agency, he is just expressing a false sense of confidence that we don’t need one (which improves his bargaining position) and isn’t going to throw money right out of the gate when he knows his offer isn’t going to bowl anyone over at first glance. If he can’t throw around numbers to get his target(s) to commit right away, then why should he go out guns blazing as soon as the FA period begins?
Ernie is right to sit back, let the players realize how little cap space there is to work with and then start reducing their asking prices.
by Manimal Smith on Jul 1, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is What Bothers Me
But whomever the Wizards sign, he isn’t expected to log many minutes in their crowded rotation.
Um, what?! Crowded rotation?! WE HAVE NO COMPETENT BACKUP CENTER! If Ernie goes out and gets a guy like Nesterovic and that guy plays the bulk of the backup center minutes, then I’ll be OK with this, even though I’ll still be a little disappointed. But this makes it sound like we’re going to pick up some scrub for the vet minimum so that we can play him during garbage time. We don’t need a human victory cigar, we need a capable big!
If Mike Jones is wrong about this, then I’ll feel a lot better. But if he’s right, then this is not good.
"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 Jul 1, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again, just posturing
I have to believe that Flip and Ernie realize that Javale and Andray aren’t centers. We need a backup center and we have the following assets to use to get them:
$$ (albeit a limited amount)
Mike James’ Expiring Contract
Javaris Crittenton
Nick Young
Just because we really need a big man doesn’t mean we should erect a billboard over the phone booth that says “BIG MAN NEEDED, WILL OVER PAY YOU AND/OR SIGN YOU TO 3+ YEAR DEAL.” Ernie needs to be patient no matte what he does because he can’t afford to cripple next year’s cap by adding another $5m/yr deal to it and players aren’t going to jump at $2m 1 year deals the day the FA period opens..
by Manimal Smith on Jul 1, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If You Are Right
Then I’ll be OK, like I said. But the signs are pointing to a huge disappointment. Ernie has been pretty plain spoken in the past, and I don’t recall him ever saying one thing and then doing the opposite. I would love it if this were just a strategy to acquire a better big for less price. But it is looking like he is happy with what he has now, and that is making me furious.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand the anger with not getting Blair but....
but there is a legitimate scare with dejuan blair he is short for the 4 and with the knee problems theres no guarantee he could play alot of minutes for a majority of a season… I think we need to stop trying act like dejuan blair is the thing we needed until he goes out and proves he’s an nba player with the spurs
by gilbachi on Jul 1, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Where I Rank Blair
Vet Minimum big < DeJuan Blair < MLE big. Since Ernie is dismissing the possibility of getting an MLE big, it no longer makes any sense that he passed on DeJuan Blair. He is now a fool in my eyes, unless this is just smoke and mirrors from him. He is making a big mistake in thinking that McGee and Blatche are the only rotation bigs he needs on the bench. A ginormous mistake.
"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 Jul 1, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree with your order
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree...
Walter Sharpe, Joey Dorsey, Nick Fazekas, Solomon Jones and Paul Davis all PFs taken at around the same spot as Blair from 2006-2008. I continue to ne stunned at how people are comfortable projecting draft picks into useful players — this year. I know he had a good game against Thabeet, but Thabeet may not be very good.
If you want a big who has some size and specializes in defensive positioning who can come infor 15 minutes one night and none the next two, you don’t draft them and you don’t spend MLE money on them.
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 1, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So
You’re OK with signing Mikki Moore, Michael Ruffin, Adonal Foyle, Calvin Booth or Melvin Ely?
Because that’s the kind of player you can get for the Vet minimum…
Meantime, Cleveland got Shaq, and is courting guys like Rasheed Wallace, Ron Artest and Antonio McDyess.
Detroit is signing Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva
Orlando added Vince Carter.
There’s talk of Miami trading for Elton Brand
Toronto were preparing an offer for Turkoglu.
Miami intends on spending their MLE on a Free Agent.
and The Boston Celtics are looking at Rasheed and
And you’re going to be happy with Melvin Ely?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But you can counter that
with the fact that Cleveland added an over the hill center and are probably losing Varejao
Detroit blew all their cap room on two slightly above average players
Orlando is losing Gortat and Turkolu
There are as many rumors that Miami is saving its cap room for next year
Boston will be losing Glen Davis and possibly Leon Powe and wants to move Ray Allen and possibly Rajon Rondo.
No, I wouldn’t be happy with just Melvin Ely. But the Wizards are not operating in a vacuum, and you’re not being fair. Every team is gaining and losing something.
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
by ledellforlife on Jul 1, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
You can add Trevor Ariza to the Free Agents that the Cavaliers are pursuing…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great fan of Ariza, I’ll be heartbroken if he ends up in the clutches of the Lebrons.
by Fundefined on Jul 2, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll be content with...
A big body, that provides decent post defense and an OK rebound rate. That will be used sparingly based on the situation.
I don’t want a guy who is going to force Blatche and McGee onto the bench. Was I the only one frustrated with watching veterans playing instead of our talented young bigs last year?
So Foyle might fit the bill, yes. There is no way we can have real insurance vs. injury. When the Celtics lost Garnett two things happened. Their championship hopes ended and Big Baby stepped up. Mikki Moore, who the Celtics had on there roster, was not the answer. If one of our big three go down we are screwed unless one of our young players steps up.
Do you really think that an MLE big man like Zaza is likely to make the difference as far as putting us past Cleveland, Boston and Orlando next year? That is, that the difference between someone like him for 20 minutes vs. Javale and Andre for twenty minutes is what would make us a contender. If not why would we saddle ourselves with the next Etan contract?
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My Reply
I don’t want a guy who is going to force Blatche and McGee onto the bench. Was I the only one frustrated with watching veterans playing instead of our talented young bigs last year?
No, but there is a huge difference between giving your young guys valuable experience by letting them work through their mistakes on the court during a lost season and letting inexperienced guys lose games for you when you are trying to “win now”. Last season was a great time to let JaVale McGee figure out how to guard Howard, Shaq, and Big Z. This season it will cost us many games and will further increase our chances of getting bounced in the playoffs early.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTH is the starting center
He is supposed to counter the starting center of the other team. After that you need somesize and fouls. Very few teams have two starter quality centers:
Off the top of my head I can think of:
- Orlando, who is losing their second, plus a 6’ 10" small forward. Cleveland who is likely to lose their top big off the bench.
-
- The Lakers, who have to think of Bynum as a bit of a disappointment coming off last year Maybe Portland (would you trade our center situation for theirs?)
-
— The Clippers
Would I trade our team for Orlando’s, Cleveland and the Lakers? Sure, but the reason I would is not becaues of Gortat, Z-man or Bynum. It’s because they each have a player far better than anything we have in Kobe, LeBron and Dwight. Those are building blocks we never had a chance at.
It’s certainly not guaranteed but McGee and Blatche could turn into star players, given playing time. Time they won’t get behind ZaZa.
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But That's the Point
You just named three teams that were all in the conference finals this past season, and you forgot about the other – Denver with Nene and the Birdman.
So basically, if you want to be an elite team in this league, you’ve got to have competent players to back up your starters, especially on the front line. To me that is a no-brainer.
Yes, Kobe, LeBron, and Dwight are great players. But we have great players too. What seperates us the most from their teams are health and depth. We can’t really do anything about the former, but Ernie should and could do a lot about the latter.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If your point is that the 19 win Wizards haven't become the team to beat..
You win. I concede. I think that’s an unrealistic expectation. Sometimes you can only play the hand you are dealt. We never had a shot at LeBron and Kobe. Kwame didn’t turn into Superman.
Instead Ernie got Arenas and it looked like he got his superstar on the cheap. Then disaster struck and he had the choice to let go of him and the pieces around him and gamble that he could rebuild. Instead he chose to double down and hope his star would recover. I think it was the right choice because top 10 players don’t come your way often, but we have to recognize that Gilbert may not be the player he was. If he is, we’re going to have a good year. If he isn’t no amount of MLE big men are going to make the difference. In any case, were probably not going to contend for a championship, unless bad things happen to the teams above us.
On the bright side, at least we plugged our three biggest holes, coaching, starting 2 guard and three point shooting. That seems like a job well done by Ernie, and that should help make us competitive and get us back in the playoffs, and that’s enough for me at the moment because I followed the team for a couple decades where the seasons were much like last years with no hope for the future and it sucks. This is much better.
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If That's an Unrealistic Expectation
Then why did we resign Gil and Antawn? Why didn’t we trade Antawn at the trading deadline? Why try to “win now” if winning now is not realistic?
In your second paragraph, you contend that if Gil is the same player he was then we will be good, but if he isn’t then a MLE big won’t help. But what if he is as good as he was and we add that MLE big? Isn’t that what Ernie is gambling on, that Gil will return to form? If Ernie didn’t think so, then he wouldn’t have given Gil that max deal last summer.
I agree that we have gotten a lot better. But we wasted last season, and now we only have about a 3 season window before Jamison’s contract expires to make a run with what we have. If all we need to make our team complete is one or two more competent backup bigs, and Ernie does not acquire them, then he is essentially writing off this next season for us as well. I simply think that is a wasted opportunity.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess the problem we have here is that...
I think Blatche and McGee can step up and play just as valuable minutes as Zaza given one more year of experience, and better coaching. I understand your concern about size, but I think that should be filled by signing a large guy who plays decent fundamntal defense and knows when to foul, not a guy like Zaza who will expect to play 30 minutes a game and put Blatche and MGee on the bench.
I also think it’s unrealistic to think a a big MLE acquisition will accept a role where he plays much less than that when he can go to other teams and start like CV.
I think it may be realistic for us to contend in the future, I’m just not sure we should assume that we’re going from 19 win to 60 just like that — of course I hope I’m wrong. Either way,i’m pretty sure that it will take a more substantial difference maker than signing a backup big man. We have a much better chance of that differnce being a break out season from Blatche, McGee, Foye, or Young.
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jumping in
Say Arenas DOES come back at something very close to his old All-NBA self..
Say that Caron is a steady All-Star SF this year
Let’s also assume that Antawn Jamison is as steady has ever
But – if Haywood (or Blatche) gets hurt…. you’re banking an awful lot on a 2nd year player that has yet to show he can defend in this league.
If Ernie goes out and spends the Full-MLE on a competent (read that very good) Center – then even an injury to a starting player might not derail the entire season; as it did last year.
If Antawn gets hurt (knock wood), there’s still Blatche. If Haywood tweaks a knee and is out for 4 weeks, there would be a competent replacement. If Miller gets hurt, Foye, Young or Stevenson could step in.
Depth IS important to any team that wants to compete for a Championship. The injury to KG last year derailed Boston’s chances to repeat; that’s why they’re pursuing Rasheed Wallace.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 2, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even If There Are No Injuries
We are going to have a lot of playing time to give a backup big who can play both PF and C. Haywood plays only 28 minutes per game, so that is an average of 20 MPG for just the backup C position. Then consider that Flip is going to want to scale down Jamison’s minutes due to his advancing age, probably down to something like 33 MPG. That’s another 15 MPG to give. That’s a total of 35 MPG to divy out to our front court backups.
Now, I imagine Blatche will get around 10-15 MPG. JaVale can get 5-8 MPG (mostly in garbage time) and I’d be happy. He needs to continue to workout and practice until he grows more into his body and learns to play at least competent defense. That still leaves 12-20 MPG for a veteran big even if nobody gets hurt!
If there is an injury to Blatche, Jamison, or (God forbid) Brendan, then all of a sudden starter minutes open up. We have to be able to insure ourselves in case that happens. Even if that doesn’t happen, we have more than enough minutes to go around.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTW
I think we need to stop trying act like dejuan blair is the thing we needed until he goes out and proves he’s an nba player with the spurs
I agree with this sentiment, but I have a strong feeling that Blair is going to be pretty good. He isn’t exactly what we needed, but he would have been better than nothing. Nothing is essentially what we are told to look forward to from Ernie.
"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 Jul 1, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Only Thing We Can Hope For Now
Is that Ernie makes a trade in late August. But that is two months away. I’m going to go crazy thinking about this in the meantime. What is Ernie thinking? How many times do we have to get hammered under the boards in the playoffs before he opens his eyes and realizes we need more than stick figures backing up Brendan!?
"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 Jul 1, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
if we are in the win now mode i don’t understand why the wiz wouldn’t spend extra cash on players like the contenders are. orlando boston cleveland san antonio etc.
by wizchamp on Jul 1, 2009 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Way to pick and choose
You left out a pretty key couple of paragraphs:
“[Washington] will be able to get somebody later this summer,” said a league executive, who requested anonymity. “You’ve got about 30 guys out there looking for work. At the end of the day, some of them will be left holding the bag. They’ll find somebody for the veterans minimum [roughly $1.3 million].”
Players expected to be in that range include power forwards Joe Smith, Drew Gooden, Michael Ruffin, Sean May, Brandon Bass and center Mikki Moore. But whomever the Wizards sign, he isn’t expected to log many minutes in their crowded rotation.
-——————-
It’s typical, though. You’ve got your mind made up, so why consider all the facts? Why bother to consider the ramifications of signing another stiff to an MLE deal? You say you don’t call Abe cheap anywhere in there (even though it’s the obvious implication), then you turn around and say the $2.5M is going straight in his pocket—WHICH IS AN ASSUMPTION BASED ON NOTHING, but which you say like it’s a fact. I’m sorry, but the whole mopey tone of this post just seems obnoxious to me. I have no idea why people who are so consistently negative would choose to run a fan site, but I guess that’s the internet for you.
by Stanicek on Jul 1, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
impatient, too
You’re all ridiculously impatient and unrealistic. I forgot to mention that.
by Stanicek on Jul 1, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Judging by the bidding up of Gortat's contract....
He WILL be able to become President of Poland whenever he chooses!
Aside from taking the Hammer out of the Wizards’ price range (you were right Mike and it was just a pipe dream on my part anyway), the competition for an essentially unproven big guy says a lot about the market for hefty, competitove front-line men, even in a crap economy. We have not even begun to see what ZaZa will attract but I should think he will also benefit from the Marcin-mania we have seen today. Same for the much-maligned Varejao.
If the Wizards can lock up Rasho and/or Shelden Williams for a fair price now, I think it would behoove them to consider making their move sooner than later.
by khrabb on Jul 1, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
the reason he left that out is because of this.
Joe Smith, Drew Gooden, Michael Ruffin, Sean May, Brandon Bass and center Mikki Moore.
Smith and Gooden would be decent depth guys, but the other 3? You really think you’re going to build a contender with them?
But whomever the Wizards sign, he isn’t expected to log many minutes in their crowded rotation.
Crowded rotation? You call Haywood, Blatche, and McGee a crowd. Blatche and McGee could wrestle in a phone booth. Maybe when you say crowd you’re talking about playing them as one guy. Because that’s the only way they’re gonna consistently hold up against the big bodies.
Frankly, I feel sorry for Brendan. He’s the one that’ll be left towing the line. Poor guy will probably be begging for Etan back by midseason.
by CJHutch on Jul 1, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sean May is pretty much done, ate himself out of a career. Joe Smith isn’t going to be available, he’s too highly touted on championship contenders like the Cavs/Celtics. Michael Ruffin, didn’t we try this already? Brandon Bass isn’t going to be available at 1.3 million. Mikki Moore is terrible. Also crowded rotation is a farce. Blatche/Haywood/Jamison/McGee is not crowded.
by Fundefined on Jul 1, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup
Cliff notes version of what my response would have been. Blair for $500,000>>>Mikki Moore or any of those guys for $1.3 million.
Also, the cash you acquire for a draft pick doesn’t go on the team’s payroll, so yes, it is fair to say that it’s going to some degree to Abe’s “pocket.” Metaphorically, of course, since it’s probably going for the lux tax hit, but it’s not going to a player unless more than $2.5 million is spent. Which this article indicates isn’t likely to happen.
I guess this means we won’t be seeing you back here?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry
just can’t leave this alone.
but the whole mopey tone of this post just seems obnoxious to me. I have no idea why people who are so consistently negative would choose to run a fan site, but I guess that’s the internet for you.
I don’t find it mopey to be upset that your team isn’t doing enough to better themselves. But maybe you would prefer a Dan Snyder type website where the happy faces are painted on and the message is controlled.
You’re all ridiculously impatient and unrealistic. I forgot to mention that.
Maybe you also forgot that we were one of the worst teams in the league last year, so yeah, getting better as soon as possible would be nice. And the fact that the two teams who were in the Eastern Conference finals and were better than us before, have already made pretty big upgrades as well.
What you seem to have not forgotten is the same ole Wizards/Bullets. Apparently that’s what you prefer.
by CJHutch on Jul 1, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vet minimum guys
They’ll find somebody for the veterans minimum [roughly $1.3 million].
Oh goody. Lots to look forward to in late Summer THIS year!!!! After 29 other teams have picked over all the good players, and spent their Mid-Level exceptions to raise the talent on their teams – the Wizards can swoop in and have their choice of guys like Michael Ruffin, Andonal Foyle, Juwan Howard, Malik Rose, Calvin Booth, Mikki Moore, Melvin Ely, and Stromile Swift. I’m all a quiver. Wizards fans should be ecstatic about this revelation.
Players expected to be in that range include power forwards Joe Smith, Drew Gooden,
Good veteran players like Smith and Drew Gooden, that NORMALLY can command more than the Vet Minimum or the LLE ($2 Million) will play for the Wizards for less because this Organization has shown that money is no obstacle, and that they are committed to winning a Championship. The Wizards will sign those kind of vets because there’s a better chance for that Vet to win a Championship in Washington than say, Boston, Cleveland, San Antonio or Orlando. It’s an established fact that valuable veterans like Smith and Gooden gravitate towards Washington and will play for less money here, rather than sign for a bigger contract in another city – it happens every year… like clockwork.
But whomever the Wizards sign, he isn’t expected to log many minutes in their crowded rotation.
Yep – you are right. The Wizards shouldn’t have to worry about anyone getting hurt. Injuries have never been a real problem for this team in the past, so why plan for it? Brendan Haywood, Andray Blatche, Antawn Jamison and JaVale McGee should be able to man the Center and PF spots all year – for a full 82 games, without any problems with injury whatsoever. We, as fans, shouldn’t have to worry about trivial things like Foul Trouble, or trying to contain Shaq, Ilgauskas, or Dwight Howard with our two string bean bigs. Andray Blatche will have a break out year, and play better than any PF the Wizards could have picked up for the MLE; he’ll be better than Drew Gooden, Chris Andersen and Anderson Varejao COMBINED. Oh, and JaVale McGee is not a talented but raw 7-footer that needs experience – he’s NBA ready right now; able to come in and contribute on Defense every night.
Why bother to consider the ramifications of signing another stiff to an MLE deal?
Antonio McDyess, Chris Andersen, Drew Gooden, Zaza Pachulia – You’re right again. Those guys are stiffs. No possible way that an Antonio McDyess or a Drew Gooden could improve this team. We should just be happy with the players we have on the team, and stop insisting that the Wizards try to field a team to be competitive with Cleveland, Boston and Orlando. It’s not about money…… it’s about acknowledging that the Wizards, as currently constructed will win 65 games, destroy Cleveland (LeBron, Shaq and Rasheed Wallace), and Orlando (Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis and Rafer Alston) in the Eastern Conference playoffs, then win against the LA Lakers (Kobe, Paul Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom) by dominating inside with Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee, Jamison and Haywood.
the $2.5M is going straight in his [Abe Polin’s] pocket—WHICH IS AN ASSUMPTION BASED ON NOTHING,
Hmmm……. uh…….. If they don’t spend it on a player, and it’s not being used to better the team; then it will go ……….uh ………… well, it’ll go, …. uhhhh ……………… it will be used for… uh………………. where will it go exactly? Did I miss the press release where the ticket prices are being lowered to account for the $2.5 Million savings? Is there a Season Ticket holder rebate program? Maybe they’ll lower the cost of hot dogs and sodas? Perhaps I’m confused and need some accounting instruction… Where exactly WILL that $2.5 Million go?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dunno
Column A
Arenas
Butler
Jamison
Haywood
Stevenson
Rubio
Thomas
Pecherov
Songalia
James
McGuire
McGee
Stevenson
Blatche
Young
Column B
Arenas
Butler
Jamison
Haywood
Young
Foye
Miller
McGee
Blatche
James
McGuire
Stevenson
I’m still going with column B
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
by ledellforlife on Jul 1, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
Are you talking about my response to Stanicek? If so, I don’t understand….
I have no problem with the trade that was made… I actually don’t think that Rubio is a very good fit for the Wizards… although had Ernie waited to pull the trigger until AFTER it was clear Rubio would slip to # 5, he may have been able to get a better offer for the pick… but perhaps the Timberwolves offer had a time limit (like, take it now, otherwise we’ll take our offer off the table) … So, I understand the trade. It DOES make the Wizards better.
I don’t understand selling the 32nd pick for $2.5 Million dollars, and pass up the opportunity to draft DeJuan Blair…. Actually, I don’t understand how selling the 32nd pick helps the Wizards roster AT ALL. It was not a basketball decision, but a fiscal decision. And to say that there was no one there at 32 that could help the team is just flat out a misdirection by Ernie…. (Look at this hand… look over here… look at this amazing thing I’m doing with my right hand…… meanwhile, taking $2.5 million off the table with his left hand and stuffing it in Abe’s pocket).
I could even understand if the Wizards passed on Blair because of concerns about his knees, and drafted someone else…. Jon Brockman is a big wide body rebounder; Dante Cunningham is a smart versatile Power Forward; Danny Green was the best perimeter defender in the Draft… (It’s not like the Wizards couldn’t use a good perimeter defender or anything)….
How about:
Column C
Arenas
Butler
Jamison
Haywood
Young
Foye
Miller
McGee
Blatche
James
McGuire
Stevenson
Crittenton
AND DeJuan Blair
4 Point Guards / Combo Guards (Arenas, Foye, James, Crittenton)
3 Shooting Guards (Miller, Young, Stevenson)
2 Small Forwards (Butler, McGuire)
3 Power Forwards (Jamison, McGee, Blair)
2 Centers (Haywood, Blatche)
THAT’s a much more balanced roster… simply by drafting DeJuan Blair. Current Salaries = $75.8 Million
After signing DeJuan Blair, Salaries would be $76.6
INSTEAD, This is what we’re likely to get:
4 Point Guards / Combo Guards (Arenas, Foye, James, Crittenton)
3 Shooting Guards (Miller, Young, Stevenson)
2 Small Forwards (Butler, McGuire)
3 Power Forwards (Jamison, McGee, FA Veteran, like Mike Ruffin, Adonal Foyle, Mikki Moore, etc...)
2 Centers (Haywood, Blatche)
Salaries, after signing Veteran Free Agent = $77.1 Million
The difference? Abe wouldn’t get $2.5 Million in his pocket if they drafted Blair.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
I’m saying I’m happy that we are where we are. Not signing Blair means we can still add another player through trade or signing. But I get your point.
I’m just not going to jump off a bridge until August.
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
by ledellforlife on Jul 1, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not panicking either
I’ll wait to see what they actually do. I hope they’ll do something to upgrade the squad, or at least to fill the holes in the front court…
But all indications are that the Wizards will wait, while their competition (Boston, Cleveland, etc…) grab up all the good Mid-Level guys (Gortat, Zaza, Ron Artest, Drew Gooden, etc), and then (because they’re Title Contenders) sign the really good Vet Minimum guys… Joe Smith, etc… (and maybe Rasheed Wallace or Allen Iverson would be willing to sign a minimum contract for a chance to win a title)
Then the Wizards will look at the scraps for a veteran willing to sign a minimum contract… that’s hardly an upgrade to the roster, given the kind of players that will likely be available at that price.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is
the Wizards can swoop in and have their choice of guys like Michael Ruffin, Andonal Foyle, Juwan Howard, Malik Rose, Calvin Booth, Mikki Moore, Melvin Ely, and Stromile Swift
Herb Williams available? ‘Cuz I wouldn’t be mopey if we could get Herb Williams.
by CJHutch on Jul 2, 2009 3:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it possible that . . .
Vladimir Veermenko looks good enough in summer league that we sign him to a second round deal and he is our fifth big man?
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Jul 1, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
forget possible
it may be necessary. Does ANYONE think we will really be in good shape with only 3 guys over 6’10, and only one of them being able to lift more than a bag of marshmallows?
But who knows. Maybe Ernie DOES know something we don’t. Maybe he is hip to the information that BIG WES is coming out of retirement. He would step in and automatically be our best rebounder.
by CJHutch on Jul 1, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because clearly some light-heartedness needs to be injected into this thread
I found this line in Truth’s latest very thought-provoking post on big men options funny.
Of course, Wiz fans are hungry for winning, and crumbs might not do … but that’s the state the franchise is in, desiring to have a three-way with ‘Win Now’ and ‘Save Money’.
I’m not going to even mention the image I have in my head right now.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This draft SUCKED
There was only ONE real player in the whole draft and he went NUMBER ONE. Blair decided after he declared for the draft to get in shape and because of that he figures he is a lottery pick..WRONG. You are scouted way before the last 2 months before the draft. Who is to say he would not have taken 1st round or 2nd round money and ate himself out of the league? WE know this has happen. Plus at basically 6’6" and a 4, I don’t think he could have been effective defensively. All Wizards need is an established enforcer or stiff to give them about 8-10 mins a game. What they are gambling on is improvement from within. Will it work? Who knows. Are the moves being made with the budget as the driving force, YES I agree. Do I like it, NO but it has been going on for so long now, what can you say.? Good write-up anyway.
by LoneWiz54 on Jul 1, 2009 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Response
Sarcasm key depressed.
You’re right.
1. Never draft a talented player because he may eat himself out of the league. It’s a known fact. WE know this happens. Never draft a talented player because he may get injured. Never draft a talented player because he may die. Never draft a talented player because he may get lazy and fail to perform well.
2. Blair is a 6’ 6.5" guy playing the Power Forward position … Can’t be done. He’s too short. There’s not another 6’6"-6’7" Power Forward in the entire NBA…. Well, except Paul Milsap (6’7"), or Brandon Bass (6’7"), or maybe 8 or 10 other guys….. But it’s really, really rare. And don’t hand me that crap about Hall of Fame Center Wes Unseld being only 6’7" – Size didn’t matter back then. He played against little guys (like Wilt and Kareem). It doesn’t matter that DeJuan Blair has orangutan arms, a 7’2" wingspan, a standing reach over 8’10", and a max vertical reach over 11’7"…. It doesn’t matter that Blair outplayed the best big man in College last year, or that he had the highest rebound rate of any NCAA player IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. Let’s go out and get 6’8" Michael Ruffin instead; because those two extra inches make all the difference in the world.
3. It’s pretty obvious that those bad knees kept him from being a big time rebounder in College. He was only able to manage 18.1 rebounds per 40 minutes. Even though that lead ALL rebounders in the College ranks, it doesn’t matter. That had to be a fluke… No way he can survive in the NBA grabbing 18 rebounds a night…. And, as we know, rebounding is the ONE skill that does not transfer well to the NBA. If you’re a good rebounder in College, you’ll suck in the NBA. Yeah, yeah. Those knees gotta be pretty bad.. he only missed …… well, he didn’t miss any games in College…. but he didn’t play many minutes… oops, well I guess he played a lot of minutes… But the NBA is a whole different game – The Wizards needed him to come in and play about 15 minutes a game. He averaged over 27 minutes in College – so it’s clear he wouldn’t be able to play 15 in the NBA; especially on knees that have clearly hampered him in his College career.
4. At pick number 32 in the Second Round of the 2009 draft, he would have cost entirely too much money. After all $797K is, well it’s the lowest contract value you can pay a player in the League, but it’s still too much for a guy that obviously would not be able to rebound or defend. Even if he proved he could rebound and defend in College – there’s no guarantee he could do it in the NBA. It’s too much to spend for an aggressive “energy” guy off the bench. Too much for a player that had a high-level of productivity in College. After all, just because he was productive in College doesn’t mean he will be productive in the NBA. It’s just too much to pay for a guy that has some physical toughness, likes to mix it up inside, can throw his body around, has some bulk and size and is not afraid of contact. The Wizards already have plenty of those kind of players – so it would be a waste of money.
Sarcasm key depressed.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rook's on fire
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 1, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sheepish grin
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Spot
ON!!
I hope I’m not stepping on your toes, cuz this was a great post. But one guy you didn’t mention, one of the greatest rebounders of all time; a top 50 player/HOFer, not to mention arguably the most entertaining loudmouth associated with the NBA – the Round Mound of Rebound, who stands at 6’4. Now, before the shouts of blasphemy ensue, I’m not insinuating in the least that Blair compares to Barkley. I’m just furthering the argument that size is second to strength and desire when it comes to rebounding and low post play.
by CJHutch on Jul 2, 2009 3:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I must have missed all the minutes Barkley logged at center
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never
said center. I said he was a great rebounder. And a great post player. If you wanna be nitpicky though, go back to Shaq’s first meeting with Barkley. Charles matched up with him AND way outperformed him. Regardless, I don’t think anyone in their right mind can say that Barkely wasn’t rebounding over guys 6, 8, 10 inches taller than him. But the point I was trying to make is that Chuck was a great post player, AND he was only 6’4. All I was doing was adding to the list of shorter guys who have more than proved themselves down low.
Now, since it was Blair we were talking about, I will say this. I would rather have him guarding Shaq, Dwight, or any other load, than McGee (this year) or Blatche. Either one would be a mismatch, no doubt, but I would much rather have the guy who doesn’t give ground. And it would only be for 10-12 minutes a game on average.
by CJHutch on Jul 2, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
EG saying we don't need someone else up front is a COMPLETE FARCE
every GM in the league is going to see through that, so why say it? it’s not shrewd. it’s just blatant BS.
so the news of the day is that we’re not going to use our MLE. saw that one coming…
well, after the fight he put up during the lockout year, i’m amazed abe is paying the tax in any way, shape, or form, so i’ll leave it be.
i think we should make a trade to balance the roster anyway.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jul 1, 2009 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ok so Ernie is better off..
… broadcasting our desperate need to overpay some FA center? Our master plan now is to throw $10m at a guy we don’t want to commit to for more than a year?
People need to calm down. We have some ability to make a trade and/or sign a player who will help us, but Ernie can’t help us by making it too clear he believes how much we need help.
by Manimal Smith on Jul 1, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look
I’m perfectly fine with waiting. I’d love to find out that Ernie was bluffing… that he has a deal in the works for Drew Gooden, Zaza or is somehow ready to steal Varejao away from Cleveland…
I just don’t want to find out later that he waited to pick over the scraps, after Cleveland signs Charlie Villanueva or Antonio McDyess, and Boston signs Rasheed Wallace. I’m going to be very vocal if Ernie tries to tell the Wizards fans that obtaining Michael Ruffin or Mikki Moore was the best Basketball related move he could make.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too
I’m with you on that. I’d rather sign a D leaguer than a Mikki Moore type and even though I have a soft spot for Ruffin I know he can’t help us.
I’m hoping its either springing for a bith of extra $$ to sign someone who CAN help us, or figuring out how to parlay Mike James and/or Deshawn into a worth rotation big man.
by Manimal Smith on Jul 1, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he doesn't need to broadcast
b/c it’s obvious. our roster broadcasts it for him.
he still shouldn’t overpay and he still shouldn’t make a crappy trade out of desperation, but c’mon, even we on this board immediately assume he’s just posturing, like every agent and GM isn’t going to see right through that. why not just state the obvious, that we’re looking to add another big man at some point? i really don’t think this statement to the media affects our leverage.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jul 1, 2009 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm fine with it
Abe’s already paying the luxury tax, so we can’t expect him to sign anyone big. Relying on four decent bigs without much of a history of injury (I consider BWood’s wrist injury a freak accident). I know that no one seems to like it, but both Miller and McGuire are relatively tall and long and average around 8 rebounds per 40 minutes despite spending most of their time on the perimeter. Really, so long as we can always keep three of the four healthy at any given time, we’ll be fine.
by pantslessyoda1 on Jul 1, 2009 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
complete defensive liability in the post though. Haywood is good but he’s not that good.
by Fundefined on Jul 1, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, we're going to have to put a lot of faith in McGee
I actually think it’s more important that he learn how to rotate than that he just get stronger, but if he can just become adequate, I still think we’ll be fine. A four man rotation of solid bigs really isn’t that bad, especially when we’ve got two small forwards who can slide over when we go kind of small.
by pantslessyoda1 on Jul 1, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know Truth doesn't like the contract
But Andrei Kirilenko in a different city (with a much easier coach to get along with). Asked to do the things he does best, play defense, rebound, block shots and not worry about scoring. I know the contract is bad ($34 million) but he is someone who can tick a lot of boxes that we are looking for.
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Jul 1, 2009 9:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It would be almost impossible
to trade for him…. Almost certainly requiring at least one of the big-3 JUST to get the contract values even…
He makes $15 Million a year…. If you tried trading Mike James $6.4 Million and DeShawn Stevenson $3.6 Million AND Nick Young $1.7 Million AND JaVaris Crittenton $1.4 Million – that would work, EXCEPT:
1. Utah would be accepting 4 players for 1 – and they don’t have the roster space.
2. Washington would be taking on an additional $2 Million THIS year – with all the Luxury Tax implications
3. Washington would be taking on Kirilenko’s long term contract, and therefore little chance of re-signing Haywood and Butler
4. The Wizards roster would be short on guards (only 3), have only 10 players on the roster – and would require signing at least 3 more players – with all the associated Luxury Tax implications.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 1, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yikes!
Well that was a hopeful thought. And it looks like my Veermenko hope is out too since he isn’t on the summer league roster.
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Jul 2, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with this
Could Mike MIller at PF become the new Darius Songaila at C? I sure hope not.
by Matt K. on Jul 1, 2009 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well I'm still not going to panic
As long as we have seven guards. Seven guards at training camp, then I worry.
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
by ledellforlife on Jul 1, 2009 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand
Look I don’t know anything about Blair, so someone please explain why everyone is crying over not having this rookie while at the same time downplaying McGee’s ability to play despite his year of experience.
So we’re in big trouble because of our inexperience bean pole center and the solution would have been a less experienced undersized PF?
by MR on Jul 2, 2009 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think it's just about Blair
or rather, it’s not all about Blair, but rather, Blair points out the fundamental problem.
The problem is that the Wizards SOLD their high Second Round draft pick for $2.5 Million… They sold it. They didn’t use it to select a player to put on the roster. They didn’t trade it for a future draft pick. They didn’t trade it for a player. They didn’t package it to improve the roster. They simply took the cash.
So – OK… if they take that cash, and use it to offset some of the cost of acquiring a good Free Agent to improve the club – that would be good with most fans – and I’d be happy with that. If they were to use their Mid Level Exception ($5.6 Million), and sign a guy like Drew Gooden, or ZaZa Pachulia, or Marcin Gortat, or Linas Kleiza, or Antonio McDyess, or, or, or, ………… that would improve the depth and talent level of the team.
Unfortunately, it looks like they’re going to go the cheap route – and sign a low level player to a veteran minimum contract. Someone like a Michael Ruffin / Calvin Booth type, for $1.3 Million (approx) and use the $2.5 Million to offset that contract and the associated Luxury Tax amount. That kind of FA signing does nothing to IMPROVE the roster – but brings in a guy as an insurance policy against an injury. If the Wizards have an injury to a front court player (knock wood), the minimum contract vet they sign (Ruffin, Booth, Foyle, etc…) will then have to play significant minutes. Two injuries, and you might be looking at Calvin Booth (or equivalent) as your Starting Center or Power Forward next year.
THAT’s why some of us are upset.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 2, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That basically mirrors my view
It’s not the worst thing in the world, but if the Wizards are committed to winning a championship, you’d think they’d use that extra cash and go after a solid frontcourt player, especially since they’re going to be paying the luxury tax anyway.
by Matt K. on Jul 2, 2009 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem is that the Wizards SOLD their high Second Round draft pick for $2.5 Million… They sold it.
And that get’s people upset? Virtually ALL NBA teams have to make decisions like that, in one form or another, whether it’s choosing not to sign one of your team’s free agents, trading for an expiring contract, not holding a complete roster or other methods of cost-cutting.
At the trade deadline this past season practically everyone here assumed the Wizards were going to trade Jamison for Wally which would have been the ultimate in cost-cutting but the Wizards didn’t take that route. Again they chose not to prior to the draft when much of the NBA assumed they were just out to give away their pick to achieve drastic cost cutting – again that didn’t happen.
But nonetheless, costs are a reality that no team can ignore – except maybe their fans.
Finally, Blair is an undersized power forward with marginal athletic abilities who was built perfectly for dominating college basketball. He’ll likely struggle initially playing in a league that’s much bigger than what he faced in the Big East, where he’s not going to be able to push players around. He could be good eventually, but he would not have “improved the roster” at least during this upcoming season. The Wizards have a better chance of finding a decent 5th front court player that can help (small but significant contributions) by paying something close to the veteran minimum than using that 2nd round pick. There are likely going to be some good bargains to be had this offseason.
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 2, 2009 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Obviously, costs are a reality no team can ignore
But most of these payroll costs were self-inflicted. Ernie didn’t have to pick up Pech’s option when he showed nothing. Ernie didn’t have to trade for Critt. Ernie could have dumped one of the other young guys on a team with cap room. Ernie could have traded Songaila for expirings to a contender at the deadline.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so instead...
He decided to trade his draft pick for Miller and Foye and sell his 2nd round pick. So why are people upset?
The Crittendon trade was a good one. So was trying to hold on to Songalia. I have NO idea why he picked up Pech’s option.
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 2, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He decided to trade his draft pick for Miller and Foye and sell his 2nd round pick. So why are people upset?
Because they could have received a better deal if they gave themselves more flexibility in not picking up Pech’s option, not trading for Critt (when does Critt play now? Why add in his salary and then trade for Foye?), trading Songaila or someone else at the deadline for expirings (clear more time for McGee, etc.) or not slightly overpaying Stevenson in 2007. Some of these are defensible things with the benefit of hindsight, but every dollar counts, as we’ve now seen.
Let’s think about this again: If Ernie doesn’t pick up Pech’s option, that’s about 1.5 million saved. If he doesn’t trade for Critt and keeps Daniels (or even trades Daniels for James straight up or something), that’s another 1.5 million. That’s three million right there. Enough money to still make the Foye/Miller trade, draft Blair and sign someone for more than the vet’s minimum without having a larger payroll that we currently possess.
Take each of these moves in isolation, and they make sense. Why not acquire a project like Javaris for nothing? Why not give Pech another look when he only played 35 games this year? Why not keep all your young guys even though it’s clear they all won’t get the playing time they need? The sum of all of them, however, indicate a lack of direction. Ernie has to pinch pennies later because he didn’t pinch pennies earlier. He should have known the Wizards would have to pinch pennies at some point.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Grunfeld can't see into the future
When he traded for Crittendon he couldn’t possibly know what moves would be available in the offseason. He made the trade because the Wizards actually needed more youth and depth at the PG position especially given Arenas’s health problems of late. If you’re the GM of the Wizards you make that trade because it makes sense. You can’t waiver just because in the future you could maybe possibly have another offer which might perhaps possibly give you another PG.
From the Wizards perspective, Crittendon is still a valuable asset. Foye very well may be the starting SG next season which makes Crittendon essential unless they want James backing up Arenas. A lot of people also question whether Foye is a suitable PG anyways so from a long-term perspective Crittendon still very well could have a place on this roster.
Ernie has to pinch pennies later because he didn’t pinch pennies earlier.
Exactly. Teams pinch pennies. They sell 2nd round draft picks. In the case of Pech, he’s gone. Those pennies are being pinched with that trade. But as fans should we really get bitter over the pennies?
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 2, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When he traded for Crittendon he couldn’t possibly know what moves would be available in the offseason. He made the trade because the Wizards actually needed more youth and depth at the PG position especially given Arenas’s health problems of late. If you’re the GM of the Wizards you make that trade because it makes sense.
I can’t understand for the life of me how people can say stuff like “Ernie couldn’t possibly know what moves would be available in the offseason.” How is that a defense of Ernie? He has to be looking two steps ahead, that’s his job!
Good GMs have long-term plans. It didn’t make short-term sense for the Lakers to trade VladRad for expirings, Chris Mihm for nothing and sell their picks, but they are using that money to try to re-sign Odom and Ariza. It didn’t make short-term sense for Denver to trade Marcus Camby for nothing, but it gave them a trade exception that allowed them to take the luxury tax hit long-term to trade for Chauncey Billups. It didn’t make sense for Boston to keep assembling draft picks that couldn’t help Pierce right away, but they allowed them to trade for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
I thought Ernie’s long-term plan was to wait until 2010, trade expiring contracts for second-tier stars on teams with plans to be in the 2010 free-agent market and make the money back by winning. I was totally on board with keeping the status quo the last few years because that was a sound long-term plan to me. I’m worried very much that we aren’t executing that plan anymore. When the economy crashed, I could understand jumping off that plan and instead becoming sellers, reloading around Arenas, Butler and the young guys. That would have encompassed trading Jamison for cap space. Instead, they didn’t do that either. Then, I again thought they were on the 2010 plan, but the latest actions don’t indicate that. That’s the frustration.
You can’t waiver just because in the future you could maybe possibly have another offer which might perhaps possibly give you another PG.
Sure you can. You’re a 19-win team that’s pushing the tax and has many needs. You have to maximize your roster spots. The problem wasn’t trading for Critt, it’s trading for Critt, then following that up by trading for Miller and Foye. Meanwhile, you still have Young, McGuire and James, plus Arenas and Stevenson coming off injuries. On a team where money clearly matters, that’s a ton of money and roster spots tied up to similar players.
I guess I won’t fully judge until I see for sure that Ernie doesn’t move some pieces for a big man, but early indications really aren’t good on that front. That’s troubling.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what made you think they have a 2010 plan?
I thought Ernie’s long-term plan was to wait until 2010, trade expiring contracts for second-tier stars on teams with plans to be in the 2010 free-agent market and make the money back by winning. I was totally on board with keeping the status quo the last few years because that was a sound long-term plan to me.
Maybe I don’t quite understand your point, but I don’t see that that was ever Grunfeld’s plan. His strategy has been the Big Three strategy which involves surrounding Arenas, Butler and Jamison with as much talent as possible. Say what you want about that strategy but he has been consistent with that approach for quite some time including this offseason. If Grunfeld had a 2010 strategy he would have had to abandoned the Big Three strategy long ago.
As I argued before Crittendon may very well have a role on this team even after this trade. The players that may be more likely to be pushed out are Young and McGuire who overlap more with the talents of Miller and Foye. But many of us were pushing for an upgrade at SG (whether through draft of trade) so inevitably someone would’ve lost out in PT. Of course drafting Blair would’ve had no effect on that situation.
There may be good talent that ends up going to waste but I’d rather give Grunfeld credit for putting together a roster deep in talent than argue it’s a poor use of roster space. These players also represent value that could be traded to fill any remaining gaps in the team if the Wizards wish). Surely having a team loaded with talent represents better roster management than that of a team that wastes a bunch of roster spots on scrubs. Best wishes to Songalia, Thomas and Pech but Grunfeld has created a more talented and deeper roster because of this trade.
One thing that would have me throw my arms up in the air is if this trade becomes nothing more than a 1-year lease of Miller and Foye. If they don’t at least make a legitimate attempt at resigning one or perhaps both of them (depending on their value to the team) then I’ll question their choice of strategy (they’d be better off building for the future with that draft pick – Rubio!).
And one last point before I let you have the last word if you want. If the Wizards remain healthy next year they may end up one of the most talented and deep teams in the NBA. When you look at the players they have from top to bottom, even at the 4 and 5 spots, there’s reason to get excited. Next season could be a lot of fun if the Wizards end up a 50+ win team, which I’d argue is possible. If they’re that good than anything could happen even if a run to the Finals is a longshot. For those people who disagree with that perspective than I can understand the bitterness. For those who agree however, shouldn’t Grunfeld be applauded especially after a 19 win season?
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 2, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You misunderstood this
Maybe I don’t quite understand your point, but I don’t see that that was ever Grunfeld’s plan. His strategy has been the Big Three strategy which involves surrounding Arenas, Butler and Jamison with as much talent as possible. Say what you want about that strategy but he has been consistent with that approach for quite some time including this offseason. If Grunfeld had a 2010 strategy he would have had to abandoned the Big Three strategy long ago.
I’m saying trade 2010 expirings for a fourth star to pair with the Big 3 that’s on a longer-term contract. It’s not to join the 2010 free agent market. For example, swapping your expirings for Vince Carter. I wrote a long post last year about this for further reference. (You can also reference this follow-up about how to cut some long-term salary and help our luxury tax bill down the road if we pursued that strategy).
That’s what I would have done with the hand that was dealt, which was not a particularly great one salary-wise (though that’s self-inflicted). If we weren’t doing that, I would have rather begun rebuilding or at least reloading (trading Jamison) while keeping our payroll lower for more flexibility.
I honestly have nothing else because we’re stuck in an argument of “is this the best we could have done?” and “Who cares, we’re better anyway and that’s worth praising Ernie for?” I don’t see the point in praising or applauding Ernie for the latter because that was going to happen no matter what he did, with all the healthy returns and the boatload of assets.
We’ve also spent a ton of time applauding Ernie in the three-year history of the site, so there’s no obligation to continue to do so if it’s not fully merited.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you are underestimating the unforseen and probably unforseeable effects that the economy has had on plans and the salary cap.
Anyone who sold their portfolio, shorted stocks, bought gold, and is now picking up foreclosed homes in Florida and Vegas has the right to challenge this point.
I’m not sure we can expect a GM to out think most of the finance professionals on the economy.
by MR on Jul 2, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The 600 Pound Gorilla in the Room
[Ernie] has to be looking two steps ahead, that’s his job!
…
The problem wasn’t trading for Critt, it’s trading for Critt, then following that up by trading for Miller and Foye. Meanwhile, you still have Young, McGuire and James, plus Arenas and Stevenson coming off injuries. On a team where money clearly matters, that’s a ton of money and roster spots tied up to similar players.
After taking a step back for a minute to think about all of this, I realized that we aren’t thinking this situation through like a GM would. With all of the hubub about the salary situation, luxury tax, and cost-cutting moves this season, we have forgotten to check out what is in store for Ernie in 2010-11.
Checking out ShamSports, our salary total for 2010-11 comes to $55,821,215, which is about $14.2 million under the luxury tax threshold. Not bad, you might think at first glance. But a closer look at the numbers tells a different story. Two names are noticably missing from that list – Brendan Haywood and Mike Miller. A third name, Randy Foye, only has his qualifying offer listed, and he is likely to command much more than that in the free agent market. It was then that I realized that Ernie has to make another trade before next off-season, or his team he has assembled is going to fall apart around the edges.
Brendan Haywood will probably command around $10 million per season, and quite frankly, he deserves it. That leaves about $9 million for Miller or Foye, which is enough for one of them but not enough for both.
While it’s possible some of you thought about this, have any of you actually thought about Ernie trying to get compensation for either Miller or Foye before they leave us for free agency next off-season? Wouldn’t that make more sense? Couldn’t Ernie use one of those two guys as assets in a trade that will help us reduce our cap number for 2010-11 so that we can resign both Haywood and the guard we didn’t trade?
I am now more convinced then ever that Ernie is going to trade either Miller or Foye, packaged with Mike James, between August 24th and the start of next season. The trade Ernie is looking for is one that frees up more salary in 2010-11 and brings back a competent big. I have an idea that might meet this criteria, and I’ll detail it in a FanPost later, when I have more time.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that's what's going to happen too
I actually was probably going to write something about this too, because it’s a really sound counter-argument to the impatient crowd (which often includes myself). One thing I’m counting on in my analysis is that there should be more money coming in to help as a windfall to going over the tax, in the form of playoff games, more fans, etc. Then again, bringing in a better on a long-term contract would have likely brought more fans and a better end result.
Of course, the criticism of this plan is that, once again, the Wizards are trying to have it both ways (get another big, cut salary). We’ll see though.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My Response to This
Of course, the criticism of this plan is that, once again, the Wizards are trying to have it both ways (get another big, cut salary).
My guess is that Ernie knows he can only go into the tax this season, but Abe won’t allow it for 2010-11. So he needs to get a big while unloading some 2010-11 salary to help pay for him, most likely either DeShawn Stevenson ($4,151,786 in 2010-11) or Nick Young ($2,630,503 in 2010-11).
Suppose the big we target has a $5 million cap number for 2010-11. By unloading Nick Young in the proposed trade, we can take on that new big’s salary, resign Brendan for $10 million per season, and still have $6.6 million to offer Miller/Foye without going into the tax.
That is a reasonable plan that focuses more on adding and retaining talent than it does on cutting salary, IMO. To say that it focuses too much on cutting salary ignores the fact that most NBA teams operate under the mantra of not paying the luxury tax in multiple seasons.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clarification
I didn’t really communicate my thoughts well with this sentence:
Couldn’t Ernie use one of those two guys as assets in a trade that will help us reduce our cap number for 2010-11 so that we can resign both Haywood and the guard we didn’t trade?
What I meant was, Ernie could trade either Miller or Foye packaged with Mike James in a trade that brings back a very competent big making good money on a long-term contract, but still leave enough room under the luxury tax threshold in 2010-11 to sign both Brendan and Miller/Foye (the one who doesn’t get traded).
"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 Jul 2, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be nice
Love to see what you come up with. I’ll think of some possibilities as well.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've been thinking all day about this
And I remember your proposal for Dalembert a while back. I still am uneasy trading for him when he makes twice as much as Haywood (how will Brendan feel about this), but there might be a way to swap out a combination of Miller, James, Stevenson, Foye, Young and Critt while saving money and taking back one of their young guys (Speights?) as a price for taking on Sam’s awful contract.
Maybe Miller/Stevenson/Critt?
I’m having trouble and I’m not even sold it’s a good deal, but I was wondering if that was one thing you had in mind.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope
I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I’ve come to agree with you that Dalembert is too much money to spend on a backup. The guy I have in mind makes about $6 million per season.
"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 Jul 3, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
to me
the point is you could have had Blair AND added another guy. I’m tired of hearing Blair is undersized. If he wasn’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation because he would’ve gone top 5. But you can’t just discount his college career (when he ABUSED the #2 pick) based on his height. As far as I’m concened, had we brought in Blair he would automatically be our 3rd best rebounder.
while at the same time downplaying McGee’s ability to play despite his year of experience
I think most people on here love McGee. I know I do. But A) – we love him more for his potential than for what he’s done, and B) – I don’t think ANYONE believes he is a good matchup for Dwight Howard, or Shaq. Both of whom he will be matching up against many times as our back up center.
by CJHutch on Jul 2, 2009 4:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Injuries kill any teams hopes...
If Pau Gasol goes down do the Lakers win the title? They are considered a deep team. How about Orlando would Gortat have led them to the promised land?
It would not be wise to get a big man that would take all of McGee’s minutes, and that guy would not push us past the elite teams in the East. When was the last time a backup center was the difference maker in a title run? Or a playoff run for that matter? Are any of the MLE guys better than our starters? If not, who cares? The reason for hope is that McGee might be better than BTH someday, if he gets PT, and he’s a decent backup now. Same with Blatche.
As far as Blair goes.He might be Millsap or he might not make the team. Most likely the latter, Either way he doesn’t fill the role you guys are talking about. The 6ft 6in burly rookie vs. Shaq or Howard doesn’t cut it. We need a seven footer with some size and experience and fouls to give.
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 7:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with your overall point
but I think that without Gortat, Orlando might not have made the finals this year.
by MR on Jul 2, 2009 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
doesn't
seem like a fair analogy
If Pau Gasol goes down do the Lakers win the title?
Sorry, maybe I didn’t specify. I meant if Brendan gets hurt. The better analogy there would be if Bynum went down. Which he did. And they still survived because they had talent to step in for him. Gasol slid over to center and Odom came in at PF. We don’t have a post player as good as Gasol, and we don’t have a 6th man as good as Odom.
by CJHutch on Jul 2, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think ANYONE believes he is a good matchup for Dwight Howard, or Shaq. Both of whom he will be matching up against many times as our back up center.
Assuming the Wizards do grab a veteran free agent front court player I think it’ll be fair to assume he’ll be a better match against Howard or Shaq than Blair.
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 2, 2009 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
REALLY??
So you want Mikki Moore guarding Shaq? Or Ruffin guarding Dwight? AGAIN, I never said Blair should have been the only guy we got. I said I thought he would help. That’s my opinion. And, say he gives you no more than the veteran bum they sign? At least he’s a young guy who could grow with the team. And the “undersized PF built for the college game” argument? They said the same thing about Glen Davis, Corliss Williamson, Danny Fortson, Jason Maxiell, Paul Milsap, etc, etc. And I’d take ANY ONE of those guys over Mikki Moore.
by CJHutch on Jul 2, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another thing not discussed is why would an MLE bigman come here?
I would think that most of these guys envision starting ,or at least getting big minutes (to get set for their next big contract.) CV just went to Detroit to start. Unless it’s implicit that BTH is leaving next year, and that we aren’t going to commit playing time to our young bigs, why would they come?
Here’s the pitch. “Zaza baby, we’ll give you lot’s of money and at least 10-15 minutes a night and of course lots of practice reps .” I just don’t see it. We are a much better match for an older veteran guy who wants a good working environment with Flip and a chance to win.
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why Did They Come to Boston?
After all, Boston sucked before they got the Big 3. But they came because they could smell championship aspirations and a hugely upgraded roster.
Before free agency started, a lot of national writers were putting us into the elite category in the East because of our trade, right behind Boston, Orlando, and Cleveland. We could have used that hype to entice a backup big for the MLE. Instead we are wasting that opportunity.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, if minutes were a problem, Blair could have filled them
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What big time MLE players went to Boston?
PJ Brown, Mikki Moore, Scalabrine? I agree that Ainge did an amazing job of assembling the team, but in order to do it he had to give up some things. If we want to do something comparable we have to trade away an asset like Al Jefferson. Meanwhile, young guys and “low level” guys like Powe, Rondo, and Big baby stepped up for them. I think some of our young guys and acquisitions can step up.
As far as filling up minutes, I disagree about Blair. He is too short for the role that the Wizards need filled. In any case, I think part of the problem is what you see in these prospects. Blair doesn’t remind me of Barkley, he reminds me of Popeye Jones. I may well be wrong but that’s why I’m not disappointed we didn’t takehim.
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You Got Me
Boston was a bad example. The only real guy they got was James Posey, and I don’t think they even gave him the full MLE. But my point is that there will be a lot of players who would be willing to sacrifice some dough and some minutes in order to play for a championship contender.
And by the way, Brendan Haywood only averages 28 minutes per game. So that is an average of 20 MPG to hand out to a good backup, hardly the 10-15 MPG you alluded to 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 Jul 2, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
then when does McGee play?
Grunfeld sees a frontcourt of Jamison, Haywood, Blatche and McGee and is pretty damn content besides needing perhaps a 5th player to fill it out a little bit.
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 2, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. There are only 96 big man minutes
Assuming BTH stays at 28 ( I actually assume with a good coach his minutes will increase — it’s not like he’s out of shape)
Assuming Jamison stays at 38 ( i think that willgo down a little becaus Flip likes playing more players — so it’s a wash)
That’s 66 minutes. That leaves 30 minutes. If you give out 20 of thise to MLE guy (he’s probably going to sulk becausehe wants 25-30.) That leaves a grand total of 10 minutes for Blatche and McGee.
Look at the top teams did they really have 5 man rotations at the 4/5 slot? If not,which guy do you want to ride the pine?
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As a follow up thought...
At some point upgrading the bench is no longer an issue. How much deeper than nine guys should a team go? It becomes more about getting the most talented high minute players.
As it is now I see difficulty getting McGuire, Young and Crit minutes (James isn’t even factor.) Should we be consolidating (for lack of a better word) our talent so that our talent level goes up in our heavy rotaion guys, instead of adding more depth that will be fighting over fewer and fewer minutes?
by NeverNervousPervis on Jul 2, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Should we be consolidating (for lack of a better word) our talent so that our talent level goes up in our heavy rotaion guys, instead of adding more depth that will be fighting over fewer and fewer minutes?
I presume that means you would have been in favor of a VC trade?
I get your points, but if minutes are the concern, Blair at $700,000 is better than Mikki Moore at $1.3 million. The disappointment is not simply in punting on the chance to get Zaza Pachulia, it’s doing that after selling away the chance to get Blair with no tangible benefit on the payroll or the roster. I think many (includung myself), were hopeful that the money acquired from the pick would be a windfall for going out and acquiring a more expensive, better player than Blair. Instead, it sounds like it’s a windfall for going over the luxury tax, which disappoints me because they spent a lot of time adding salary over the past year that could have been avoided.
That’s the crux of the issue for me at least.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well let’s wait to see who that player is and then restart the debate. to some degree i think it remains an open question what kind of player Blair will be in the NBA. certainly a lot of teams passed on him and I don’t think it was simply because of his knees (there were doubts before that became a big question). I like Blair too but I do think the Wizards can get more help via free agency even if they’re looking for a bargain.
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 2, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Waiting and seeing=no blog content
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right
Isn’t second-guessing Wizards’ management and coaching what this blog is for? If everybody always agreed with the decisions made, then there would be nothing to blog about.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup
I totally respect people who don’t want to jump into every little thread and would rather wait out the process, but it’s so annoying as a blogger to write a thread and then read “let’s see what happens.” Nobody is obligated to participate in threads they don’t want to be a part of.
It’s akin to telling me, Jake or Rook “You spent a lot of time thinking about this, but you’re wasting your time.”
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not calling out any one individual there, to be clear
Just saying that I’m seeing a lot of that recently in comments and it’s definitely a bit frustrating.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A Better Argument
From those who support the management, in this case Ernie Grunfeld, would be to speculate about what Ernie might have up his sleeve that can justify his actions. Simply saying “I trust Ernie” and “wait and see” is fine for a single post, but to go on and on with that argument in a thread does indeed become irritating.
Of course, I’m probably guilty of this as well, from time to time.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
while i understand the preference for discussing now rather than waiting to see, i’m not sure the crux of anyone’s argument is “wait and see.” certainly not mine.
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 2, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I mentioned how I wasn't calling out a specific individual
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jul 2, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes..
my comment was more a response to cuppettcj who seems to characterize the arguments of those “who support management” as simply “I trust Ernie” and “wait and see.”
my response to you was “ha ha! point well taken.”
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 2, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
I also didn’t mean to direct my point towards you, but rather towards those who sometimes use the “wait and see” argument without specifying what they think Ernie is actually going to do to justify the situation.
If you really want to know, the person I had in mind when I wrote that was myself. Guilty conscience, I suppose.
"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 Jul 2, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this has merit
At some point upgrading the bench is no longer an issue. How much deeper than nine guys should a team go?
but it’s another argument for Blair in my opinion. No, you don’t want to be using your 11th or 12th guy on a regular basis. But you still have to have them. So why not have a young guy who could learn from the bench? Plus, you still need big bodies for fouls.
as it is now I see difficulty getting McGuire, Young and Crit minutes
Yes, but none of them are going to play PF or C, so this is a non issue in this discussion.
by CJHutch on Jul 2, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No Way That Happens
Assuming Jamison stays at 38 ( i think that willgo down a little becaus Flip likes playing more players — so it’s a wash)
I am very confident that Jamison will be brought down to about 33 MPG, not only because of Flip’s rotations but also because of Jamison’s advancing age. I expect there to be about 35 MPG to divy out to our front court backups, and I would be completely fine with JaVale McGee getting only 5-7 MPG until he grows into his body and learns to play at least passable defense.
And what if someone gets hurt?
"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 Jul 2, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the MLE Free Agent
will get at least the 20 Minutes that Songaila got last year… And if he’s better than Songaila, better than Blatche and better than McGee – he’d get even more than that.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 2, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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