Destino Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 They've spent years structuring their contracts to be able to sign Durant without needing a trade partner and just before he becomes a free agent they hire his former coach. Yeah, I'm sure that has nothing to do with Durant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillUnknown Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 They've spent years structuring their contracts to be able to sign Durant without needing a trade partner and just before he becomes a free agent they hire his former coach. Yeah, I'm sure that has nothing to do with Durant. 3 years from now: "We hired Scott with knowledge that his connections to Kevin Durant would help us land him in the offseason. Obviously, that did not materialize. We feel like we assembled a competitive roster despite missing out on Kevin, but we have not been as consistent as we would have liked and have decided to move in a different direction. I will begin conducting searches for the next coach immediately" - Grunfeld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Going Commando Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Our players are probably ****ing tired of hearing about Durant. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Our players are probably ****ing tired of hearing about Durant. They really should be. It's kind of offensive (esp. during the season while they are in a playoff hunt. It's basically telling them that their efforts didn't matter and even if they do something cool they are unlikely to be rewarded for it.) I suspect the guys who play Durant's position are unhappiest. Nice to get a paycheck, but kind of sucks to be the third choice to the prom... you know, the back ups back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Going Commando Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 It's a distraction. Also makes the fan base look so desperate. But that's where we are after 30 years of crap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 I'm fine with having a plan to go after Durant but we were just soooo transparent about it it was ridiculous. Now that's fine if you're a big name franchise like the Knicks were when they were trying to position themselves for Lebron, but you saw what happened: Miami came kinda out of nowhere and stealth scooped him. That's the difference between a Pat Riley and an Ernie Grunfeld/Isiah Thomas(or whoever was running the Knicks at that time). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebreaker Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 It also didn't help that Lebron knew he wasn't going to the Knicks before he even became a FA. Bosh, Wade and he decided during the Olympics to play together, and the plan was always either Cleveland or Miami. He couldn't convince them to go to Cleveland so Miami was a given. It's possible KD already knows what he's going to do, it's hard to believe he hasn't thought about it at all with the media hounding him nonstop for two years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skin'emAlive Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 I guess... But the Knicks pretty openly campaigned for Melo prior to getting him. Then they got him. Houston and Phoenix both campaigned for Aldridge, but he went with the sure bet in San Antonio. It sure wasnt transparent. Usually a superstar stays with their original team. Look at Cousins. Despite all that has gone on, he is still there. Superstars leaving their team happens once in a blue moon. There isnt really any precedent as to how to lure a superstar to your team. But getting a good collection of people that are on good terms with the guy and clearing cap space for the possibility is a good start. People are more open to diving into familiar waters. Anyways, plan B should be to stock up on better role players and wait for the inevitable Kings meltdown next season. Then move Gortat and something for him. If that doesnt work... plan C is to hope that Brooks can continue to develop our core in the same fashion he did OKC and that Ernie stumbles upon a young big somewhere. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAVEONAWARPATH Posted April 26, 2016 Author Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15353834/the-wizards-go-back-drawing-board-scott-brooks Can Scott Brooks solve the Wizards' identity problem? Deciding whether a team has an "identity" calls to mind the classic U.S. Supreme Court definition of pornography: it's hard to define exactly, but you know it when you see it -- and in the case of NBA teams, you definitely know when you don't. It's hard to even say whether you can craft an identity top-down -- by plucking the right free agents and college kids -- or if a team must happen upon one organically through some semi-random process of self-discovery. The Wizards of 2015-16 tried to manufacture an identity on short notice while saving cash for a plastic surgery job in July. They haphazardly crafted a pace-and-space team while winky-wink flirting with Thunder forward Kevin Durant, and after six injury-riddled months of aimless flailing on the court, they may end up with neither. On Friday, Washington banked the next phase of its development on a coach seeking his own identity, even after guiding Oklahoma City within three games of a title way ahead of schedule. Ask the Wizards what they see in former Thunder coach Scott Brooks, and you'll hear the usual: He's a wonderful man, players will go to war for him, and he'll coach up the young guys -- just as he did with the once-youthful Thunder. He's a warm, encouraging spirit, and that matters over the slog of 82 games. For better or worse, it will create a different vibe than recently departed Randy Wittman's sometimes ornery perfectionism. All the Durant buzz now says he wants no part of going home, but be careful what you believe. Most of that chatter comes from people three, four and five steps removed from Durant's tight-lipped inner circle at Roc Nation -- gossipy types who dial up the NBA's telephone game. The Lakers are in it, then out of it, then in it again -- and don't forget about the Warriors! I will say this: The Spurs buzz is ascendant in a way that is eerily similar to what happened last Januaryat the D-League Showcase, when a half-dozen unconnected team executives warned me over the span of a few days that LaMarcus Aldridge would bolt from Portland for San Antonio. Who knows. At the very least, the Wizards will get a chance to make their pitch. Edited April 26, 2016 by BRAVEONAWARPATH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRobi21 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 (edited) Brooks intro presser on CSN now. Took 6 questions before a reporter brought up KD. That reporter? UnWise Mike. Of course. Edited April 27, 2016 by STBonecrusher21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade7 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 No lie, 6 questions before getting to KD is impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BornaSkinsFan83 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Where is UnWise Mike these days? I thought the Post booted him? And I know Whitlock hired him for "Black ESPN" (or whatever) but that whole thing failed spectacularly and they hit reset on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAVEONAWARPATH Posted April 27, 2016 Author Share Posted April 27, 2016 Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Presser has started. Ernie Grunfeld begins by saying Scott Brooks was Washington's top candidate. Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Grunfeld stresses Brooks' development of young players with the Thunder as a big reason why Brooks will succeed with the Wizards. Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Scott Brooks: "I'm excited. I have a great opportunity." Thanks Ted Leonsis for "opportunity to lead this tremendous group of young men." Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Ted Leonsis: "Ernie and I believe this was the right hire for our team." Leonsis also refers to Brooks' work with young players. Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Leonsis says there will be an "exciting brand of basketball." He & Grunfeld have now cited Wizards will have a "more sophisticated" offense. Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Brooks said he spent time with high school, college and pro teams, but the Spanish national team, during his year-long sabbatical. Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Scott Brooks: "We will develop players every single day." Says it goes into both on and off court aspects of the job. Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Scott Brooks says John Wall still has another level to go -- "maybe two or three more levels." Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Leonsis: "We'll use this offseason to recraft the team." Says having a coach who can relate to players is vital, praises Brooks for that. Tim BontempsVerified account@TimBontemps Leonsis says after FA the Wizards will have a better team than they did this year. Jorge CastilloVerified account@jorgeccastillo Scott Brooks on analytics: "I love it." Jorge CastilloVerified account@jorgeccastillo Leonsis on why the coaching search process wasn't more expansive: "Because we wanted Scott." Jorge CastilloVerified account@jorgeccastillo Leonsis on why there weren't more sweeping changes (i.e. why Grunfeld was retained: Never considered it because plan is still intact. Jorge CastilloVerified account@jorgeccastillo Parsing Leonsis's answers, Grunfeld's job was never in jeopardy. He said it would've been if Grunfeld deviated from course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 So there you have it. Grunfeld suckers another owner into a "plan" to keep his own job. Did the same thing to old Abe. The guy is the Frank Underwood of GMs, except nowhere near as competent. He does have the same manipulative qualities though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destino Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Owner refuses to fire GM with a poor draft record that is now relying on free agency to build the team. Hires big name coach. I swear I've seen this movie before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Excuses Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 So Grunfeld is basically a puppet for Leonsis at this point. Teddy gets to do as he wishes with the team. The media doesn't criticize anyone and the fans fire their hate mostly at Ernie, shielding Terd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAVEONAWARPATH Posted April 27, 2016 Author Share Posted April 27, 2016 J. MichaelVerified account@JMichaelCSN Leonsis said comparison with #Caps is the front office deviated from "the plan." Grunfeld stays bc he didn't #WizardsTalk @CSNWizards J. MichaelVerified account@JMichaelCSN Leonsis said he sent Grunfeld to Newport Beach to meet with Brooks and told him not to come back without a deal @CSNWizards #WizardsTalk J. MichaelVerified account@JMichaelCSN Leonsis says "we like our core and we said we wanted to have flexibility and cap space." @CSNWizards #WizardsTalk J. MichaelVerified account@JMichaelCSN Leonsis cited 100-99 loss to #Pacers as a soul crusher. I reported after that Dudley went to Witt to talk and it went nowhere #WizardsTalk J. MichaelVerified account@JMichaelCSN Leonsis on roster: "Im not really involved in those decisions. Ive told them how much money they can spend, which is A LOT" #WizardsTalk J. MichaelVerified account@JMichaelCSN Leonsis on Porter: "He didn't take that next step ... I think this will be a breath of fresh air for him" #WizardsTalk @CSNWizards J. MichaelVerified account@JMichaelCSN Leonsis on Oubre: "Every player noted to me he's very hard to play against. The players wanted him to play more" #WizardsTalk J. MichaelVerified account@JMichaelCSN That quote from Leonsis on Oubre was in regards to exit interviews what teammates said about him #WizardsTalk @CSNWizards J. MichaelVerified account@JMichaelCSN I go back to #Lakers home loss. Oubre yanked for cheap foul on Kobe and was kept on bench. Had defended him well. Kobe drops 31 #WizardsTalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Going Commando Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Throwing Wittman under the bus. 1.) He wasn't the only problem. 2.) You're the idiots who hired him in 2012 without conducting a search. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRobi21 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Just what exactly is the ****ing plan? And what plan takes 13 years to execute? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Its official: Ted is an idiot. I thought he was smart, but turns out he's just another dolt who lucked into billions because of the dot com boom. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinswillwin06 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 The plan was and apparently still is to get KD. Morons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksun247 Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 It's Ted's money, so he can do whatever he pleases. I just wish he cared more. This is all just cheap talk from a cheap owner. He isn't concerned with winning, as long as we keep spending money on this piss poor product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebreaker Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Why didn't a reporter ask the very obvious question based off Ted's comments? "What exactly is this 'plan' you keep speaking of? And how did Ernie never deviate from it?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor703 Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Its official: Ted is an idiot. I thought he was smart, but turns out he's just another dolt who lucked into billions because of the dot com boom. I've known Ted was an idiot since he allowed McPhee to trade away Forsberg. I've been calling him out for years. He's a terrible owner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TradeTheBeal! Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 (edited) Counterpoint: We have coach with recent Finals experience, a very solid young core and tons of cap room. As a fan that lived through the 80s, 90s, and 00s...things could be much, much worse. Edited April 28, 2016 by TryTheBeal! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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