Comment from mgoozner
Time January 8, 2009 at 1:59 PM

Hi SportsWiz,
I’ve been following NBA basketball for over 40 years (my first love affair was with Oscar Robertson and the old Cincinnati Royals, who challenged but could never beat the hated Celtics). I have to say that this year’s edition of the Wizards is about the most puzzling team I’ve ever watched (I lived in Chicago pre-Jordan era; the Orlando Woolridge-led Bulls, which, as it turned out, had a serious cocaine problem, held the previous honor).

Night after night, the Wizards don’t get back on defense; they practice the matador-style defense when they do (waving at driving players as they go by); most of the young ball players do not know how to stand and take a charge; they can’t set basic picks; and they stand around on offense half the time.

Everyone knows good offense comes from good defense. They should first a) identify for us fans who is the defensive coordinator; and then b) fire him.

I have watched many losing teams with great pleasure. Why? Because they tried to execute sound, fundamental basketball.

One last thought: One of my greatest pleasures in life as I advance in age is watching NBA basketball on television and attending the occasional game (I held part-ownership in season tickets during the Jordan era in Chicago but have yet to be motivated to invest here, despite living here for 10 years). I watch nearly every minute of every game the Wizards play. But in the past few weeks, for the first time in my adult life, I could not bear to keep the game on during long stretches of the game. The past two games, I actually shut it off. When young men being paid large amounts of money to play a game show no inclination to learn the basic skills of their craft, there is something wrong . . . not with them, in my opinion, but with an organization that has allowed it to happen.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time January 8, 2009 at 2:31 PM

mgoozner, i will start off by saying I understand your frustration along with many other people on this blog.

I think what you are seeing right now is a team that has been trying to find its identity all season. I think what has actually started to become more established recently has been the defense.

One of the big problems this team faced early on was the loss of Brendan and a pretty banged up DeShawn Stevenson which were the two top defensive players on last years team. Obviously with Brendan on the inside and DeShawn guarding the best perimeter player.

It has taken some time but I think the improved defense is showing. I think one of the big reasons is Dom’s play and role in place of DeShawn. Dom entered the starting lineup 9 games ago and only once since then has a team scored over 100 points (Boston).

As Tap said in his postgame yesterday this team is still redefining itself.

“We have some habits we have to break,” said Interim Head Coach Ed Tapscott. “We are becoming a new team. We have to start being a defensive team, a rebounding team and an efficient offensive team. There are going to be some steps forwards and some steps back. We need to remind ourselves of the basketball values that we need to win games. If we defend, if we rebound and if we execute on offense then we are able to win games, if we don’t do that we are going to struggle.”

Yesterday was a struggle and I expect there to be these blips on the radar screen. But I think there has been improvement over the last few weeks and I expect to see a good response tomorrow vs. Chicago.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time January 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM

Good grief! Now the Wiz coaching staff is getting hit by folks who are not necessarily Wiz fans, but just enjoy good basketball and recognize that the Wiz do not play good basketball. Ouch! – from Bulls territory no less.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time January 8, 2009 at 4:59 PM

I was a bit suprised that anyone from out-of-the-area would care about the Wiz so I just reread mgoozner’s blog and realize that he has relocated to the DC area.

It doesn’t change my opinion about his blog, however. mgoozner, you are right on target!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:11 PM

Basic Principles of the Princeton Offense with Eddie Jordan

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2009/01/07/nba_20090107_on_court.nba/index.html

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:17 PM

Mgoozner — welcome to the blog. You’re going to fit right in!!

SportsWiz — never forget. We love the Wizards. No one here wants anything but success.

Actually, aside from success, I have to admit — I do want a very high lottery choice next year!!!!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:22 PM

More from Jordan

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2009/01/06/nba_20090106_fan_night_crab.nba/index.html

Comment from dcbutler357
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:26 PM

WOW!! The brass of blogging are on the keyboards!!

Hey Guys, How is everyone?

I’m glad we get a day/night of rest today….we need it.

Comment from neal
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:27 PM

Welcome to the blog mgoozner. I think you’ll find some pretty well informed fans here, and occasional humor as well.

I’m very discouraged. I was encouraged for a few games, but I’m again going to be a no-show for the games until they start playing better.

Good to hear about Crittenton.

Comment from M2
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:28 PM

Tom still stuck on the damn lottery & potentially Steph Curry? Wow…

& yeah Jeff, I put it on my TIVO last night… ha ha ha ha

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:29 PM

I watched the videos of Jordan discussing offense, and I must say I was impressed, more so by ex player Eric Snow saying how hard it is to defend. Man if only we had his offense and a top notch defensive staff to balance, wow what could have been????

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:32 PM

mgoozner first post is a good one, welcome and yes we have some great and knowledgeable fans here, this is a great blog and a lot of fun! M2, what did you think of Eddie’s comments about the Wiz and the Princeton offense?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:33 PM

Getabig, M2, JeffM, TomM,Neal (okay I’ll put you with the heavy-hitters),

All on the blog at the same time and this time of day. To what do we owe this honor. Also a blog-type welcome to Mgoozner.

The whole league feels sorry for the Wiz…..now that’s what it’s all about. Win/Lose everyone wants to see good basketball.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:35 PM

Question for the board, What are your thoughts on the draft? IMO I do not really see (at this point) a high impact player (franchise), the Wizards already have young players that they want to develop, ok everybody your thoughts?

Comment from M2
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:35 PM

This offense was in full effect almost exactly 24 months ago when Jordan was named coach of the Eastern All Star Team… & it was only in “full effect” for a total of approximately 40-50 games played during Jordans tenure with the Wiz.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:37 PM

dcbutler you are also included as a heavy hitter as well, humble aren’t you,lol….And of course the bloggets…Bridge, gkbdc , Aundra and slwiz of course!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:38 PM

That’s exactly what the draft is for (potential and develop). Only special players can take you to the “mountaintop” as soon as they arrive. If it’s defense or the boards, that can happen as soon as they come in (depending on one’s learning curve) and if it’s a minor but key role IMO.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:40 PM

M2 so true,

I guess it’s a “what have you done for me now” type of business, or as they say the NFL stands for: “Not For Long” if things don’t get turned around quickly.

Comment from M2
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:41 PM

Zero immediate impact players in the draft… & yes, WE HAVE OUR YOUNG PLAYERS!

I like Jordan & agreed with practically everything he said…

When run properly, this offense gets it done. When run poorly (Ex: The Wizards) this offense doesn’t resemble an offense at all…

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:42 PM

M2, you hit it on the head, we avg right around 100 pts (actually a shade more) however the D gave up about the same, I look at the team now, we give up 100 and score 93. If only somebody told Coach Jordan to play the young guys more and really surrounded him with Defensive Coaches not one Coach (Ayers) even without key players we still would have been better off than we are today, IMO. And 17 out of 34 games we have scored 20 pts or less in the 4th qtr would also not be a stat under his tenure.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:42 PM

JeffM,

Bridge “Brought it” yesterday morning….lol….I didn’t even need morning coffee to wake me after reading her blog..LOL…

Comment from Rick
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:43 PM

IMHO there is only one player in the draft worth enduring this type of season for, and that is Blake Griffin. He’s 19, he’s a solid 6’10″ and he’s averaging 22pts and 14rbs right now. All the other players are iffy. So even if we get a high pick in the lottery, it’s not going to be an immediate impact player unless we pick #1, or can trade our pick up to get #1

Comment from dcbutler357
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:45 PM

IMO and I guess the whole world’s by now, we really should focus on developing our bench, with a proper foundation of teaching. Save Caron and AJ for when it’s time to piece it all together. We are really risking it, by playing them so hard.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:46 PM

Bridge has been known to express herself in a great way on the blog, and I love it. She is very passionate about the team, and gkbdc with DMAC and CB3 and Blatche, love the passion from everybody here. Tom brings great stat analysis here as well, and some great thought provoking post. Even in a down year, the board is still the board!

Comment from M2
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:47 PM

Miserable…

& I’m still scratching my head on Thibodeau’s two or three day stint as our defensive guru before camp last season? Something funky there for sure… That was (intended) a great hire. The subsequent “no thank you” from Thibodeau was a bummer.

Meanwhile, we still haven’t gotten it done. & I actually know & quite like Randy Ayers!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:50 PM

Hey Rick, I agree with you, Blake is FANTASTIC in college, and he would be closer to a safer pick, but as we would agree to it’s a crap shoot. Heck I saw somw boards that have us taking Rubio or Thabeet (I hope I spelled that right, lol) Trading is also an option as well, and IMHO might not be such of a bad thing?

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 5:54 PM

M2, I like Ayers so can you share some insight as to what the heck we are doing on defense this year? I again would love to have Jordan back with Coach Thompson and Ayers, Ewing (to develop the bigs) and any other assistant with a solid resume on defense. But I guess I must give up on Coach Jordan coming back to coach the Wiz, again before the video thought he was a good coach, after the video and looking at the teaching aspect of it, he has the tools to be a great coach!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time January 8, 2009 at 6:28 PM

I just watched the EJordan video…..it really brought it home….are we still running a princeton? they spoke of constant movement. The glaring fact is that we say that we beat boston three times last year, but we are not hearing anyone say that it was because we ran the princeton to beat boston three times last year. So I guess we shouldn’t get so upbeat about playing them, if we’re not running the proper offense to beat boston this year, or the man that put that system in place, isn’t around to make sure that his guys are running it properly. I guess that is why AB was in the dog-house, if you don’t continuously move, you won’t be on the court??? Maybe that’s why Brendan flourished last year, he finally played within the system?? Wow, that video gave me a whole new perspective about our players. It doesn’t really matter if people are good guys, athletic, or anything else, they have to play within the system, for the team to be successful. OMG, I feel worse for the guys now.

Okay, we’re not playing tonight, so I’m taking the rest of the night off also….LOL….

we need a lot of stuff to get this straight…where in the heck do we start (rhetorical)

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 8, 2009 at 7:28 PM

I actually see Coach Jordan becoming the Head Coach of the Sacramento Kings, in his old stomping ground and also putting him back with his mentor see below:

SACRAMENTO, CA, January 8, 2009 —- The Sacramento Kings today announced that former Kings assistant coach Pete Carril will return to the organization as a Basketball Development Consultant according to Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“We’re really excited to have Pete come back and join us as a consultant to assist Kenny (Natt) in all areas of individual player and team development,” said Petrie. “He’s really excited about rejoining the club and adding some of his experience and understanding of the game. I look forward to seeing him back here.”

One of the most respected men in basketball, Carril spent 10 seasons with the Kings as an assistant coach, specializing in individual player development and offensive schemes.

“Coach Carril brings a lot of winning experience and knowledge about basketball in general,” explained Kings’ Head Coach Kenny Natt. “As a young head coach, I will be able to utilize his experience and knowledge about getting the best out of our players. I’m looking forward to his input. It’s exactly what I need at this point.”

In a crowning achievement to his legendary collegiate coaching career, Carril was rewarded with an induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 29, 1997. After coaching 30 years in the NCAA ranks, Carril joined the Kings prior to the 1996-97 campaign. His addition to the Kings’ coaching staff reunited him with Petrie, whom he coached at Princeton from 1968-70.

The winningest coach in Ivy League history (525-273, .658 winning percentage), Carril’s career at Princeton included 13 conference titles, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, and just one losing season. Prior to his retirement following the 1996 NCAA Tournament, he was the only active NCAA Division I head coach to reach the 500-victory plateau without athletic scholarships.

In his final season as head coach at Princeton, he led the Tigers to the Ivy League Championship with a 22-7 record. In one of the most thrilling moments of the 1996 NCAA Tournament, Carril’s Tigers upset defending champion UCLA in the first round, 43-41, on a signature Carril-designed backdoor layup with only 3.8 seconds remaining in the game.

Carril played collegiately at Lafayette College under Head Coach Butch Van Breda Kolff. Following his graduation from Lafayette in 1952, Carril began his coaching career at the high school level where he stayed for 12 years. He went on to become head coach at Lehigh University for one season before beginning his stay at Princeton in 1967.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time January 8, 2009 at 8:31 PM

I didn’t realize that mgoozner is a first time blogger on this site. What a great addition. Very insightful with an obvious knowledge of the game. Welcome!

Comment from neal
Time January 8, 2009 at 8:32 PM

It seemed to me that by the time Jordan left very little Princeton offense was being run. My impression is that when well run about 80% of the offense runs that system with about 20% taking advantage of opportunities that present them selves. By the time he left less than 20% looked to me like Princeton offense. It looked to me like the “ad lib” offense.

I certainly believe that Jordan designs excellent offenses. But I’m convinced that at the pro level the biggest responsibility (and the most difficult challenge) of the coaching staff is getting all the individuals to play as a team on both ends of the court.

Comment from lenman
Time January 8, 2009 at 8:34 PM

I can stand losing (honestly) becuase I realize that in anything it takes time to develop the skills necessary to rebuild and be successful. But what bothers me most about this organization is the way the team is coached and being run. Simply, we don’t have the coaching or the organizational personnel to be successful at the highest level. To me, this organization sells success as a .500 record and simply making the playoffs. You do this by signing veteran ballplayers that are great guys and hard workers to long term contracts. Sprinkle early season optimism with visits by Boston, LeBron, Kobe, DWade, Superman etc. with a great arena/location and you got the recipe for a valuable franchise even with a consistently average to mediocre team.

Our development of player personnel is atrocious because our leaders dont have the skill set to develop them. Contrast the early play of McGee and Nick Young (under EdJordan) and the play of other first rounders around the league with how these guys are playing now. Look at Brooke Lopez, Thornton, Beasley, Speight, Oden Chalmers, Gordon and others who are getting the minutes and showing continued impovement not regression as our kids are. One of the key measures of a coach is how he develops his players.

This team is dsyfunctional and a coaching change to bring in a major coach and philosophy can’t be put off until the season is over. I’m pushing for Avery Johnson big time. I realize that you may be paying for three coaches this year but a new coach may offset the major loss in attendence that is going to happen over the remainder of the season.

The new coach and management has to establish a philosophy and committment to the future. As much as I love Jamison (and Caron) the future is not built on 32 year old jump shooting Power Forwards. Lets get real. This formula is not successful and we need to stop referring and deferring to them as All Stars. Name one other team with two let alone one ALLStar that has only won 7 games. This is the kind of thinking and deference that has hindered this team and the development of this franchise. Play these guys 35 minutes and two things will happen, (A) you will give the younger playes valuable minutes and (B) they might be fresher and able to close out games in the 4th Quarter. These guys play more minutes than superstars on winning teams.

Grunfeld has to take part of the blame just as he held Eddie Jordan accountable. His argument to firing Jordan was that there was enough talent here to win (without Gil and Brendon). Not only is the team not winning it is in further disarray. (I firmly believe EJ would have posted a better record but also have the team develoiping more positiively).

The question is whether Grunfeld has made the proper player personnel moves or has he mortgaged the teams future with his long term deals. In my view he has to come up with a solid plan for the future and has one year to get the team beyond the first round of the playoffs. The signing of both Gilbert Arenas and Antwain Jamison to long term deals was extemely qestionable. Additionally, releasing the only true point guards (Antonio Daniels and Dee Brown) and bringing in Mike James and Javaris Crittenton does not make a whole lot of sense. Javaris may develop but the jury is still out. Mike James only exacerbates the problems of defending quick guards and providing dribble penetration.

If I were a Lottery Pick I would be absolutely frightened about coming to this franchise with its present veteran philosophy. But if we do get a pick we desparately need help at Point Guard and we need a shooter to stretch the defense. Stephen Curry or Harden fits that bill to a “T’. I don’t know how plausible it is but I would also love to have Kirk Heinrich on my squad as a back up point or combo guard. He is done in Chicago with the kid now running the point. I have always felt he was one of the most underrated defensive minded point guards in the league and a great shooter.

Finally, with a new coaching staff, the culture of this team of veteran hierarchy has to change. The team needs new different leadership and a committment to defense and playing the right way has to be established. This nonsense of meritocracy, and giving the ball to the “All Stars” has to be replaced with making the extra pass, throwing the ball into the post, staying solid on defense rather than playing the passing lanes, smart playing time allocation/rotations and an overall team concept. The new coach will have to demand of Gil that he has to develop a committment to playing some semblance of defense. That has been Gilberts achilles heel and the teams a well.

With Boston aging and LeBron moing on after next year, we should be able to compete with Orlando and the Hawks for the Eastern Conference Title in two years.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time January 8, 2009 at 9:15 PM

I just watched the EJ short demonstration of the Princeton offense (thanks for the link Jeff).

EJ did a great job explaining the basic offense. His explanantion, also illustrates the downside of that offense.

The basic problem with the Princeton offense on a NBA level is the quickness, athletic ability, experience, and strength of NBA defensive players. With the Princeton offense, if you don’t get a back-door layup you have a defensive man’s hand in the ball handler’s face, or worse yet a double-team, and you rarely get an open shot. Watch the Wiz offensive flow…that’s just what happens. Then we are one-on-one with everybody else watching.

With the exception of the back-door layup, the Princeton offense is an outside, jump-shooting offense game. How can we run this thing and then complain that we are taking too many outside jump-shots? What other shots are there to take? On those rare occassions when the ball does go to the low post, we then run a man baseline, off that post which allows the defense to double-team the post player with the ball…unless the post player is able to throw a pin-point pass to the cutter who might be momentarily open, we’re double-teamed again, or if we are really lucky it is AJ in the low post with the ball and he might make one his funky, Kevin McHale-type shots.

The Princeton offense invites the double-team so that it can get the back-door layup. Problem is, in the NBA you might get the back-door layup 2-3 times a game…then what? I guess that you play your All-Stars 40+minutes a game and hope that that will keep the score respectable. I don’t think that winning or losing is the most important thing to Tap, looking as though he might know what he is doing is appears to be most important.

Let’s get rid of the LOTTERY OFFENSE.

We need an offense that sets a screen, or multiple screens to free good shooters; an offense that takes advantage of the quickness, passing ability, and length of our low post players; an offense that uses give-and-go and pick-and-roll; an inside-out offense; an offense that pushes the ball up the court and attacks…a Big Boy Offense.

Go Wiz!

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time January 8, 2009 at 9:20 PM

lenman, great post!

I agree with you about Kirk Heinrich. I’m not sure what the deal is with him and the Bulls, but he is offensive-minded and can handle the ball.

I don’t know enough about Avery Johnson except that he appears to be tough; knows how to win; and obviously irritated some people in high places.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time January 8, 2009 at 10:11 PM

mgoozner, I want to offer my opinion about the Wiz defense…
I order to learn a motion offense (think Princeton), you have to walk through it MANY times (the EJ video link provided by Jeff is an illustration) and you have to walk through it with every player on the team playing every position that you might ask them to play during a game (BORING). In the course of these practice runs the coach will place players on the court to provide “token” defense just so the offense gets used to some defensive players being on the court with them. Of course all of the defensive players know the offense so if they play tough defense, the offense is impotent. Consequently, the coach’s instructions to the defense is “let them run the offense”. This, of course, leads to the defense playing without any passion and the offense going-through-the-motions and throwing HORRIBLE passes knowing that the defense will let the pass alone. This also tells the defense to be passive (matador-style at best; don’t appear to give a damn, at worst). I believe in psychological terms it is called “imprinting”, which is a reinforced behavior. That behavior, of course, is unacceptable in a game…but, too late, it has been imprinted.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 8, 2009 at 10:33 PM

Mgoozner, welcome to the blog. You already sound just like us Excellent first post and again welcome.

I may not be here long though. Neal and Grunfeld are trying to trade me to the Oklahoma City blog for a blogger to be named later

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 8, 2009 at 10:40 PM

Lenman I agree with every word, except, Eddie Jordon was also known for running his veterans big minutes. That was our gripe about him too. He wouldn’t play the young guys. He did more than Tap does though. Everything else I agree with 100%

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 8, 2009 at 10:41 PM

How can you guy be talking lottery picks already? It isn’t even the all star break yet. Gees I guess we really are bad this year

Comment from FromOz
Time January 9, 2009 at 12:07 AM

Get HUGHES back, he (I don’t really know) has not been happy since Lebron said “GET ME HUGHES”. Half the minutes and he has three time the 3 pointers than their famed, new “Jordon”, Rose. 36 three pointers, Rose has not hit 20 yet with double the time and Larry is no three pointer (yet is average is high thirties). No team chemistry and that is what is needed first with any team. Gilbert and Hughes and “J” are chemistry and will bring the young ones along, probably will take a good cut to play stretch the years out. Look at his stats at Chicago or Cleveland on both sides of the court, he still has it and chemistry, a career year from Gilbert or “J” and luck and we can get into those playoffs and start the foundation. Best back court in history, never forget. I know he wishes he would never have left, but has not lost a step in speed and Chicago is trying to develop players from trash with minutes, it does not work (sound familiar).

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 9, 2009 at 12:27 AM

Lenman-your post has to be one of the best and complete post I have ever read here, kudos to you. I am glad you guys also checked out the links, I really think it gives some great insight. We have some great fans here, you guys have to start calling in on the post game!!lLOL….Grif if you go to OKC can you send Wilcox back?lol, love all the post guys great and productive as usual.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 9, 2009 at 12:39 AM

getabig, also great points as well, I am sure Larry is looking forward to Friday’s game as well. He will put up numbers.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 9, 2009 at 12:48 AM

I really look forward to your comments on this article from the Post:

For Tapscott, Lineup Is Time-Sensitive
Wizards Coach Seeks Balance Between Developing Youth and Trying to Win

By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 9, 2009; E06

Washington Wizards interim coach Ed Tapscott continues to try to strike a balance between relying on veterans such as Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Mike James and developing youngsters such as Dominic McGuire, Andray Blatche, Nick Young, Javaris Crittenton and rookie JaVale McGee.

Blatche and McGuire have been starters, Young has a solid role as sixth man, Crittenton has seen more action recently and McGee, who made 13 starts early in the season, hasn’t played in three straight games.

Despite the team’s 7-27 record heading into tonight’s game in Chicago, the organization is still not ready to play the young guys at the expense of searching for wins.

“If you take a look at the minutes for the veteran guys, they are in the high 30s, and I just try to keep them just south of 40 because 40 minutes is a lot over the course of a long season,” Tapscott said. “If you look at Caron, Antawn and Mike James, they are getting 35, 37, 38 minutes, so I’m not overly concerned with putting young guys in just to put young guys in. We’re trying to give them a chance to grow up and learn to play, but not at the expense of winning basketball games. So they have to contribute.”

McGuire has been solid as a starter, particularly as a defender and rebounder; and Blatche is averaging a career-high 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds. In Wednesday’s night loss to Toronto, Crittenton saw his most extended action since arriving in a trade from Memphis on Dec. 10.

The second-year point guard, who was a first round pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007, posted three points, six assists and three rebounds with no turnovers in just less than 27 minutes. He made only one of his four shots but pushed the ball effectively in transition, found the open man and finished with a plus/minus rating of plus-3.

In his previous 16 games this season (seven with Memphis and nine with the Wizards) Crittenton had 12 turnovers and 11 assists.

“It’s all about getting out there and feeling comfortable on the floor,” said Crittenton, who played only one season at Georgia Tech and has seen spot duty since entering the NBA. “The more I’m out there, the better I feel and the more confident I’ll be.”

Tapscott was pleased with what he saw out of Crittenton on Wednesday and that could mean more playing time. It helps Crittenton that DeShawn Stevenson remains out with a disk problem in his lower back. Stevenson had split time between shooting guard and point guard before missing the past four games.

He expects to be out 10 days to two weeks.

“The young fella I thought grew up tonight,” said Tapscott, who played point guard at Tufts University. “He’s a young player playing a difficult position, and he’s playing for a point guard. So I told him he’s not going to have easy nights and easy practices. He’s going to have to get used to every decision getting analyzed and examined, but I thought he played with energy, guarded well and I thought some of our better moments were with him in the game.”

McGee, meanwhile, has been stuck in the rotation at center behind Blatche, Etan Thomas and Darius Songaila and hasn’t played since last Friday’s game at Boston. Speaking generally about his young players, Tapscott emphasized that minutes must be earned.

“I told those guys, ‘This is a meritocracy,’ ” Tapscott said. “I tell them, ‘You get what you merit. Everything is earned in this league. You earn veteran status, you earn veteran minutes. There are no grants coming into this league and the other thing is, you can’t transfer in the NBA. So I you’re not happy about it, you’ll have to earn your minutes.’ “

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 9, 2009 at 12:53 AM

So I guess from reading this that Dixon and McGee have not earned minutes, and I guess Juan is not a verteran because he has not earned veteran minutes. There is so much in this article that I need some time to digest it all!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 9, 2009 at 1:02 AM

Wow from the Wizards Insider (Washington Post):

McGee Sits
No practice today so nothing to update there, but I did want to do the best I could to address the JaVale McGee situation. Specifically, a lot of folks are wondering why the talented but raw rook has fallen out of the rotation. He hasn’t gotten off the bench in three straight games, including last night’s loss to Toronto.

Interim coach Ed Tapscott explained his decision not to play McGee last night by saying he would’ve been a bad matchup against a Raptors team that has big men who play a lot on the outside (Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh).

“It’s all based on matchups, flow of the game and strategy,” Tapscott. “Nothing he’s done wrong, he’s working hard.”

But that doesn’t explain why McGee didn’t see the floor against Dwight Howard in Orlando or against Cleveland on Sunday. I do know this: He hasn’t seen the floor since taking a really bad shot in the late stages of the loss at Boston last week.

I have so much to say about my last 2 post, it will take too much time, I am sure there will be plenty to say about this, OMG

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 9, 2009 at 2:12 AM

McGee would have been a BAD matchup against Bosh and Bargnani? HELLO… tapping on Tap’s head…. NO he wouldn’t have? He is quicker and taller with bigger wingspan than probably both of them put together. Ok I exagerate but you guys know what I mean. If Taps was worried about Bargnani’s beef put McGee in with Thomas, Blatch, or Songaila. Don’t continue to waste him in games where he can give the “other” teams matchup problems.

I agree Jeff… Tom should be coaching the team.. AND that’s only a semi joke LOL

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time January 9, 2009 at 8:22 AM

McGee is very young, very athletic and very raw. I’d like to see him get 20 minutes a game, because I am aware that we are in the lottery this year — period. Doesn’t matter whether he sits or plays, no playoffs for the Wiz.

As to our young guys not developing, lenman, are you forgetting about Dominic McGuire? Nick isn’t developing, imo, because he doesn’t have much of a basketball IQ, and he isn’t working to improve it (wch he is certainly capable of). I think he probably did next to nothing in the off season to come back a better player — again contrast that with Dominic.

As to Pecherov, I’m sorry but he is not an NBA player.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time January 9, 2009 at 8:31 AM

On the draft and the lottery.

What is best guide to the kind of numbers a player will put up in the NBA? The best guide is the numbers he put up in college. Marreese Speights was *a stud* in college. He succeeded to Al Horford, and he put up the same numbers as Al Horford. No surprise that he scores efficiently and rebounds at a high rate. Ditto Kevin Long.

But Speights wasn’t available when we picked. As to JaVale, he did *not* put up equivalent numbers in college. But, he is very young and was picked on “potential,” which — given his size and athleticism — he surely has.

Now, to this year’s draft. First point is that Blake Griffin is putting Duncan-like numbers. He looks to be an NBA star in the making. Unfortunately, we are unlikely to have the #1 pick — we’re even mediocre at being bad!

Beyond Blake Griffin, it’s anybody’s guess who’s going to be good. Harden is putting up good numbers for a guard; do we really need a 2, however? Georgetown’s Greg Monroe is not as good as people think he is, at least not so far. Arizona’s Jordan Hill performs… but I don’t know him. As to Curry, I think he is phenomenal fun to watch, but he is actually getting a little less done this year than last — maybe people are figuring him out? (but I still like him)

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time January 9, 2009 at 8:34 AM

I should be coaching the team? That’s *pretty funny!*

(but… I should be GM — that I’ll go for) (not really…)

Comment from neal
Time January 9, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Good points getabig. The comments on this site get more and more informed and insightful.

I still agree with Grunfeld’s decision to replace Jordan. The team looked like it had lost all hope. Tapscott is the interim coach. If he happens, against odds, to succeed, he gets another year. But I’m sure Grunfeld has been considering long-term replacements since before he fired Jordan and continues to do so.

I can’t argue with Tapscott’s idea that he has to balance winning with developing the young players. It’s just a matter with drawing the line. But Tom’s right, we’ll be a lottery team in any event. We’d all like to see McGee play some in every game.

Someone said Songaila makes very good cuts and the others need to look for him more. The best thing about Songaila’s cuts are that he makes them. Most of our players spend most of the time standing around waiting to see what will develop. I am not, however, knowledgeable enough to know how this compares with the other NBA teams. It seemed to me like Boston beat us mostly with terrific shot-making, rather than eye-catching plays.

Yes, our future is in large part tied to the long-term contracts of Arenas and Jamison. We may never know to what extent those calls were Jordan’s, Grunfeld’s or Pollin’s. Obviously, the Arenas decision doesn’t look good now. And given that we’re not a playoff team now, the Jamison decision doesn’t look good either. But who knew?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time January 9, 2009 at 11:10 AM

Good Morning Everyone,

Just about everything has already been said (pertaining our problems) ….IMO we keep hearing the same thing….EJordan even had the same words that Tap is now speaking, but the bottom line is….We are already losing (it’s not like we’re winning and are looking for bench players), so what in the heck is he talking about. And the veterans aren’t even running anything on the floor…LOL…This team is more close to winning a spot on SNL.

Basically, I’m trying to say, i’m more about getting ready for the future, winning isn’t even a priority at this point.