Comment from slwiz
Time December 18, 2008 at 12:41 PM

I’ve heard alot about coach not rotating the players well. Just how much does 85 year old Abe the owner influence these decisions? Living in senior housing, on the Activity Committee, is really tough. Many have “been this way for years and I’m not going to change”. How frustrating. We need some change that may seem crazy; but I do agree, the bench outscored and outplayed and out hustled the starters from pre summer league. Give them a chance to play together with extended minutes. If JaVale fouls out; so what!! His value for 25 minutes with 5 fouls is more valuable than 3 minutes riding the pine!! Together; the starters and the rookies will have enough “fuel” to compete and WIN!! Stop being hindered by this idea of “wait until Gil” comes back! Let’s get a WIN now; next game is Philly!! Go WiZ!!

Comment from slwiz
Time December 18, 2008 at 12:43 PM

sportzWiz; we missed you last night as moderator!! I still look forward to your gift of going with the team to away games!! If that’s on your wish list, I mean! LOL

Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 18, 2008 at 12:56 PM

I would love to travel, unfortunately I would get about half the sleep I’m used to (I cant give enough kudos to dave and glenn and our PR staff on that one) and I think my fiance would kill me, but other than that I would love to go with the team .

As far as the basketball side of things go, I was actually listening to an interview with Bill Simmons and Commissioner David Stern the other day on a podcast and the commish was asked who his favorite owners are and one of the two names that came up was Mr. Pollin’s and Commissioner Stern said that one of the big reasons was he let his basketball people do their jobs. I’m really in complete agreement on this when I say I don’t think that there is any influence by Mr. Pollin when it comes to the player rotations.

Comment from slwiz
Time December 18, 2008 at 1:43 PM

Thanks SportzWiz: I figured maybe other lives’ events might be more pressing than travel. A fiancé!! May your lives continue to be blessed and hope you both find happiness!!

Thanks too about Mr. Pollin letting folks do their jobs!! So if it is on the coaching staff, my next question is still about the influence of age. Except it might not be age in years. It’s how age, or the length of time doing something the same old way affects people, in our case; our play, our winning.

I’m thinking about CB3 not being able to speak with the media after a “poor performance”. I mean he had a bad game!! Big deal!! Antawn was hurt!! Played too many minutes because of the influence of time, “I really need to have one or both of my all stars out there”. Is this truly leadership? To put the health of players at risk or play a guy when he’s struggling; when it’s very evident younger, yes rookies, can be a big help? Again, the influence of the attitude of vets over rookies, “age” over “youth”. So my discussion is about attitude not vets vs. rookies. See the difference? And yet how it affects and influences team play? If only the change could be made to see that the two can work together; without needing CB3 and Antawn on the court; together or separately at times!

So since so many bloggers are seeing the same thing; how do we help the coaching staff make these changes!! And in the meantime how do we keep our sanity!! Sorry, I told ya I have trouble with simple words! LOL (Today is our Holiday party so I may have to take off when it’s time to help set up the party!)

Comment from slwiz
Time December 18, 2008 at 1:46 PM

About CB3 seeing the kids!! Timing will be great cause those kids will bring a smile to his face!! Fans don’t care so much about the losses. They just want to see “their guy” WIN; so they will be a big help for his confidence; probably other players involved in Holiday giving!! Have fun guys!!

Comment from Rick
Time December 18, 2008 at 4:27 PM

I think Tapscott has publicly stated that he wants things to run through the forwards and emphasized their importance and need to have one of them on the court at all times for several reasons:

1) They are the heart and soul of the team and so generally it makes good sense

2) In order for him to come in and have any kind of success, he needs the unconditional support of those two. highlighting his commitment to them is one way to get it.

3) Everyone wanted to know his “plan”, his “strategy” right away and how it would be different from Eddie Jordan’s. But give the guy a break, he had no time to come up with one and was thrown into a bad situation.

Comment from M2
Time December 18, 2008 at 5:15 PM

Exactly…

Comment from TAG FLIP
Time December 18, 2008 at 7:01 PM

who do u guys think should be the next wizards head coach in 2009-10?

Comment from GlingGling
Time December 18, 2008 at 7:03 PM

I don’t have much to say, same ol’ same ol’. I’m waiting for them to find the answer. Based on the flow of things the season looks out of reach, but hey, anything can happen right. I’m looking forward to Gilbert mixing things up, even if it doesn’t necessarily fix the team.

If I don’t get a chance (cause I’m traveling) I wanna say, “HAPPY HOLIDAYS.” I still read the blog, but haven’t really felt like getting into the mix. Take it easy folks, hope everyone enjoys the Christmas game.

Comment from slwiz
Time December 18, 2008 at 8:17 PM

Tagflip – If the coach really has this much influence on the team and how they play and win; I’d just like someone who’s willing to change, adapt. About the only offense I know is the motion and the triangle; both used in Illinois. If we are going to have “bigger players” around 7ft. I’d like him to use them better; and sometimes together. I’d like him to have a better philosophy if any player gets hurt early and is out. It’s not been too helpful to have a wait and see attitude when what 2-3 months of playing time for the uninjured is slipping by. Does this type of coach have a name? LOL I just don’t know them well enough.

Comment from dmac
Time December 18, 2008 at 8:45 PM

Tag Flip without naming names I would screen and interview guy’s who are well aware of our need to have someone that can seriously bring about a positive change in our players mental focus and teach defense and rebounding.
Tag Flip I would like to see a healthy Gil and BH back on the floor.
I don’t think we can really assess where we are going as a franchise until we get those two guy’s back.

Comment from TAG FLIP
Time December 19, 2008 at 2:47 AM

slwiz – the coaching influence is a big thing.. look at the situation w/marbury in new york

dmac – in response to your comments, i would like to have a coach who can address our problems accordingly. 2 guys that come to my mind are flip saunders and avery johnson. these 2 guys are proven coaches. i know one of their coaching philosophies would serve us well.

plus i still think EJ wasn’t given enough credit for trying to keep this team afloat without arenas and BH

Comment from Rick
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:08 AM

a lot of coaches will avoid the wizards unless there is some significant impact by Gil when he returns. I think the list of coaching candidates depends heavily on that (thus the need for an interim head coach).

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:31 AM

Oh, I don’t think coaching candidates will avoid the Wizards — not at all.

For one thing, it’s a team of intelligent motivated players (a few boneheads, of course — but no bad guys). For another it’s in a great market — DC. For a third, coaching candidates are guys who *need a job!* Never forget that little detail!

I think we’ll have plenty of candidates.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:36 AM

The idea of Abe Pollin exerting influence over the rotations is pretty funny! No, I don’t think so….

But, I *do* think that Mr. Pollin influenced (*made*?) the off-season decision to give Gil a huge, almost-max contract. And, it’s possible that he was vocally “for” re-signing Antawn for a pretty hefty number.

I don’t know whether those were good decisions or not, only time will tell. I don’t think I would have given Gil that big a contract, and I *do* know that I would have re-signed Roger before ever turning to Gil’s deal.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:39 AM

(But, then, doing deals from where I sit, and doing deals from where Ernie sits — those are two very different things! It’s a lot easier from where I sit!)