Going off the rails at the edge of the abyss

What I would give right now for a little more transparency.

I wrote about the Leonsis line a few weeks ago, wondering what it would take to push the Wizards owner over the edge. The team finishing November winless is not only a real possibility, it's likely. Five wins by Christmas would be quite an accomplishment, even if John Wall's nebulous return date comes soon. Nene has reaggravated his injury and his prognosis is unknown. In short, the Wizards seem destined for a bottom-three finish and the only person still on the payroll not completely demoralized is playing for another team. The bottom has fallen out.

Being a fan at such a difficult time, is an exacting science:

Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

Emotions run high for dedicated fans at all times. All that is left among our ranks in such dire straits are the most ardent supporters. We can no more stop rooting for the Wizards than we can start rooting for the Heat. It's a simple matter to become lost in the storm of negative emotions being a Wizards fan engenders.

How ironic is it that the Ernie Grunfeld committed a full third of the team's cap for two years in a win-now move for a team that can't win-any? There's a litany full to bursting of similar anecdotes and it all comes down to the Wizards being on fire in all the wrong ways. Offering up Randy Wittman isn't going to cut it, either. John Wall is the only player Ernie Grunfeld doesn't deserve credit for acquiring and that squad, prior injury history and all, is winless. It feels like this will take a force of nature to overcome the difficulties the franchise faces. An act of god, or an owner.

At this point, the only way I can save my sanity as a fan is to take a step back from team and look to Ted Leonsis. I imagine he must be quietly horrified at the turn this team has taken and is considering his options. Perhaps firing everyone and locking the team inside a small room with Stan Van Gundy over the All-Star break is among those options. That's the caliber of change we're looking for.

I'm not sure what to expect from the Wizards owner in respone to this mess. But I have only one request, whatever it is he decides: no half-measures.