::crosses fingers:: for Rudy Fernandez or J.J. Hickson or Rodrigue Beaubois

It’s not so much that the team doesn’t execute plays very well (although that’s certainly true), but rather that the team doesn’t seem to even attempt to run plays on most posessions. Sure, Flip has had to deal with a lot of distraction this year, and the team boasts several knuckleheads, but I’m surprised and disappointed by how little progress he’s made on this front. Most trips down court are a mess, and when they’re not it’s generally down to some amount of luck.

Flip needs to get tougher and start benching players who don’t run his plays. It’s the only way they’ll learn.

Without a doubt, the Wizard’s had their best years using Eddie Jordan’s Princeton Offense. The players on the roster— especially rythmn players like Caron Butler - prospered in it. The proof is in the pudding: all of Bulters statistics-scoring, assists, shooting percentage are all down. It worked for Gilbert too, because he is not a traditional point guard. Under Eddie’s offense, the wing players often started the offense. Flip’s offense is designed more for catch and shoot players, not players who need to handle the ball a bit to get into a groove. Why is Flip so stubborn that he doesn’t go back to an offense/style of play that fits the Wizard’s current personell and playing style? So yes, I put some of the blame for the Wizard’s woes on Flip. I’d give him a C minus minus.

a “pass”, but I do think Flip’s role in this debacle has been understated. Obviously you can’t blame it on him, since it’s basically the same thing that’s been happening the last few years. While the fact that he’s been unable to get any progression out of this team, ultimately the blame falls on the players and, moreso, those who acquired those players. I think what has me the most disappointed as far as Flip is concerned is that he seems to have taken on the same mentality as the previous regime in that he refuses to develop the young talent on this team. I think it’s a pride thing for him, meaning he doesn’t want to be associated with a losing team, and he thinks that the “veterans” give him the best chance to win now. Why he clings to this baffles me, but it is not helping this team in the long run. He is doing the exact same thing Tapscott did last year – playing out the string with the same tired group that hasn’t produced, rather than jumpstarting the rebuilding effort by giving the young guys more of a chance.

Now, for those of you who continue to argue that the young guys haven’t “earned their chance”, I continue to contend that the older guys haven’t either. And while I admit that the young’uns aren’t exactly being frozen out, I still don’t believe they’re getting a fair shake. Case in point – the other night (I forget which game), Nick Young came in and started to get into a good flow. (Personally, I have noticed a nice synergy when him and Blache are on the floor together). Then he gets the ball with the clock winding down, drives the lane, and throws up an ill-advised flip shot. True – it was a bad attempt. But basketball is about creativity – if he had converted the shot (which seemed to resemble most shots Jamison puts up), it would have been a “great shot.” But, once he missed, I knew exactly what was to come. At the next stoppage of play, out goes Nick, and in comes Stephenson, who proceeds to jack up 2 awful 3 point clangers, yet is left on the court. This is how it’s been for Young, as well as the rest of the young guys, since they’ve been here. Until this changes, there will be no progression.

if flip would take a harder line with the vets they would be something this season so all in all he gets a average grade in my opinion