OK, now what?

[RonArtest15]

Posey is gone. Matt Barnes got signed by the Suns. Gil signed his deal leaving money on the table so the Wizards can make some roster additions. Who is out there that can make a difference on this squad? Gil was quoted in the WaPo today saying that he wants to bring a championship banner to the Verizon Center. The dust has kind of settled. The draft is over, summer league is done, and there aren't many impact FA's on the market out there (that we can afford). Are we looking at a 40-45 win team again? Have any of your expectations changed for this team?

[VaK9Trainer]

You have to believe that Ernie is planning on trading for somebody. Otherwise, No, I dont see us making any noise this season except another early exit from the playoffs.

[ACW]

Barnes is a good fit for the Suns...Look for Arenas to average 25 and 7 (at least)...he'll be on a mission.

[pjfootballer]

Until we actually win 50 games, I have no confidence we're anything more than a 40-45 win team, first round fodder. I'll root for them as always, but until they prove me wrong by becoming more that the Cavs B****, then there are no higher expectations for me.

[REDALERT]

Until we actually win 50 games, I have no confidence we're anything more than a 40-45 win team, first round fodder. I'll root for them as always, but until they prove me wrong by becoming more that the Cavs B****, then there are no higher expectations for me.



What he said.. :(

And frankly, I just think we made a big costly mistake in making Gilbert Arenas a franchise player. I see Arenas as another Michael Redd type of guy that carried they're franchise in the scoring department but unable to get them over the hump. Not to mention Redd had injuries also and it now has been an on going issue ever since.


Further,

On the Washington Post Sports section regarding Arenas getting the franchise money and Abe Pollin seeing a player with talent that could get him a banner. Really! When did Abe pollin become the talent evaluator and get such a hunch in Arenas to carry a team to a Championship and make him the franchise? Abe is a 100 yrs. Old and still riding Wes Unseld's coat tail from 1978 :laugh: . Yes! the same Wes Unseld Abe believed could run the organization for years and totally screwing it up with jaw dropping trades that wrecked the bullets for years.


Keep drinking the Kool-Aid people, because if any one's going to carry us to the Championship I don't believe it's going to be the Arenas factor.

[pjfootballer]

Fact: The Bullets/Wizards are the only team in the NBA besides the Clippers and expansion Bobcats to NOT post a 50 win season since we went 54-28 in the 1977-78 season. Pathetic.

[Lloyds' Mongolian Beef]

Fact: The Bullets/Wizards are the only team in the NBA besides the Clippers and expansion Bobcats to NOT post a 50 win season since we went 54-28 in the 1977-78 season. Pathetic.Fact: The Wizards have made the playoffs the last 4 seasons. That's not pathetic.

[twenty-eight]

We could win 50 games and still easily have a first round exit

Does winning 50 games really guarantee the wizards getting to the 2nd round?

[ACW]

Fact: The Wizards have made the playoffs the last 4 seasons. That's not pathetic.Not to mention, the last time we were in the playoffs was in 96-97, losing to Chicago in the 1st round; before that, 83-84 to 87-88; the last playoff series we WON, 81-82. In other words, we've made the playoffs more times the past 4 seasons than the previous 16 seasons combined (4 more times in fact, in only 1/4 the seasons).

[mad4comp]

Not to mention, the last time we were in the playoffs was in 96-97, losing to Chicago in the 1st round; before that, 83-84 to 87-88; the last playoff series we WON, 81-82. In other words, we've made the playoffs more times the past 4 seasons than the previous 16 seasons combined (4 more times in fact, in only 1/4 the seasons).

So thats a good excuse for the team to be mediocre now? You're content with just making the playoffs 4 years in a row, with nothing to show for it?

:rolleyes:

[The Caretaker]

I like the amount of thought that went into the apparently "non kool-aid" drinkers :doh: . Am I predicting a championship? no, but you judging the Wizards as a 40 - 45 win team or as "first round fodder", is a little unfair and ignorant, technicaly, they have only been the "cavalier's *****", only 1 of the three meetings, and even then, that was Caron's first year, we had NO bench, and Brenden haywood was still a inconsistant center.


Second year, we are first in the East, antawn goes down, we go down the drain, Caron gets hurt, comes back gets hurt again, Gilbert screws his knee, sweep by cavs.


third year, Gilbert out almost all year, caron playing with wrist issues, hip issues, Gilbert Severly limited, standed a similer chance due to the bench and haywood being significantly better.

To claim this team as anything at this point is just unfair, I cannot even judge them as "good" yet, again, all I am saying is you can not judge the Washington Wizards as anything more then a injury prone team, not until we see this wizards team survive a full season and present in the playoffs.

[ACW]

So thats a good excuse for the team to be mediocre now? You're content with just making the playoffs 4 years in a row, with nothing to show for it?

:rolleyes:Did I say I was :rolleyes: At least I'm not Mr. Negative :rolleyes:

:rolleyes:

[method man]

If I were Ernie, I would try to package Songaila and Pesh (and the Memphis 1st, which adds a teeny bit of value) for Ras Butler, who sucks as equally as Songaila but whose contract ends a year earlier. I would then go sign Justin Williams off Houston's summer league team for the minimum and go with:

Arenas/Daniels/Brown
Stevenson/Young
C. Butler/McGuire/R. Butler
Jamison/Blatche/Williams
Haywood/Etan/McGee

[mad4comp]

Did I say I was :rolleyes: At least I'm not Mr. Negative :rolleyes:

:rolleyes:

oh yea, likes there's so much to be positive about...

same team, another 40+ win season followed by a quick 1st round exit..

[Gator Bait]

Ras Butler, who sucks as equally as Songaila

Songaila doesn't suck...he proved to be very solid off the bench in the second half of the season.

Arenas/Daniels/Brown
Stevenson/Young
C. Butler/McGuire/R. Butler
Jamison/Blatche/Williams
Haywood/Etan/McGee[/QUOTE]

[twenty-eight]

Songaila doesn't suck...he proved to be very solid off the bench in the second half of the season.

:applause::applause:

[pjfootballer]

Fact: The Wizards have made the playoffs the last 4 seasons. That's not pathetic.

Well, just like the Skins, if you like one and done, whatever floats your boat.

We could win 50 games and still easily have a first round exit

Does winning 50 games really guarantee the wizards getting to the 2nd round?

I have to actually agree with you, yet....well, just see above. It would help to actually have home court advantage as the 1,2 or 3 seed for once. When is the last time a 5 seed or worse played in the finals?

So thats a good excuse for the team to be mediocre now? You're content with just making the playoffs 4 years in a row, with nothing to show for it?

:rolleyes:

Just like the Redskins, they'd rather be 9-7 and squeek in the playoffs instead of 12-4 and dominating.

[pjfootballer]

I like the amount of thought that went into the apparently "non kool-aid" drinkers :doh: . Am I predicting a championship? no, but you judging the Wizards as a 40 - 45 win team or as "first round fodder", is a little unfair and ignorant, technicaly, they have only been the "cavalier's *****", only 1 of the three meetings, and even then, that was Caron's first year, we had NO bench, and Brenden haywood was still a inconsistant center.


Second year, we are first in the East, antawn goes down, we go down the drain, Caron gets hurt, comes back gets hurt again, Gilbert screws his knee, sweep by cavs.


third year, Gilbert out almost all year, caron playing with wrist issues, hip issues, Gilbert Severly limited, standed a similer chance due to the bench and haywood being significantly better.

To claim this team as anything at this point is just unfair, I cannot even judge them as "good" yet, again, all I am saying is you can not judge the Washington Wizards as anything more then a injury prone team, not until we see this wizards team survive a full season and present in the playoffs.

Make all the excuses you want, but the team has not won more than 45 games nor been out of the 2nd round since 1978-79. I think it IS fair to judge them as an "average" 40-45 win team. I didn't say they suck, I didn't say they are horrible, I basically said they are what they are, AVERAGE!

Boston, LA, Detroit, SA, etc, etc. doesn't seem to have the same "excuses" that we do every year. Would I love to see what this team can do at full strength? Yes, and I would LOVE for them to prove me wrong. But, until they do.... :rolleyes:

[ACW]

Just like the Redskins, they'd rather be 9-7 and squeek in the playoffs instead of 12-4 and dominating.:doh: Um, no. Better that than NO PLAYOFFS AT ALL :doh:

[pjfootballer]

:doh: Um, no. Better that than NO PLAYOFFS AT ALL :doh:

See, that line of thinking is what fans have convinced themselves of with regards to BOTH teams. Of course I like to make the playoffs, but when you keep exiting EVERY YEAR before you get off the damn bus, what good does it do. As Redskin fans, we NEVER accepted losing in the playoffs in the 80's under Gibbs. It was expected that we win, just like all good franchises and their fans do. (NY Yankees, Red Wings, Lakers/Celtics and now the Patriots). Complacency will get you....nowhere.

[The Caretaker]

Make all the excuses you want, but the team has not won more than 45 games nor been out of the 2nd round since 1978-79. I think it IS fair to judge them as an "average" 40-45 win team. I didn't say they suck, I didn't say they are horrible, I basically said they are what they are, AVERAGE!

Boston, LA, Detroit, SA, etc, etc. doesn't seem to have the same "excuses" that we do every year. Would I love to see what this team can do at full strength? Yes, and I would LOVE for them to prove me wrong. But, until they do.... :rolleyes:


Ive said this on other boards, mainly WE, yes, injuries should not be an excuse, but only to a certain point, their is a certain climax that excuse turns into reason, let me put you into a scenario, lets say, LA loses kobe, and Gasol, Kobe can be gil, and gasol can be caron, do they still get to the conferance finals? or even be 1st in the west?

Detroit, they lose Chauncey billups, and richard hamilton, are they more effective? no where near, San antonio, without tim duncan, and Tony parker, no where near as defensively dominant in the paint nor do they have the same efficiancy.

Their is a reason that they do not have the same "excuses" every year, its because none of their core players are out for long enough for it to be nearly as bad as our sitiuation.

I understand your "injuries are not an excuse", but, their is a certain extent to which that abides, you cant honestly say that Cleveland would even win a game without lebron, you cant say the celtics would be any good without KG.

Let them play a full season together and then we can point fingers and call them names.

[method man]

Songaila doesn't suck...he proved to be very solid off the bench in the second half of the season.

Arenas/Daniels/Brown
Stevenson/Young
C. Butler/McGuire/R. Butler
Jamison/Blatche/Williams
Haywood/Etan/McGee[/QUOTE]

We've seen him get destroyed on the boards and on defense twice in a row in the playoffs. Little PFs who lack athleticism, rebounding, and defensive ability should not be on this team. Remember that Etan and AD expire in 2010 at the same time Ras Butler would. With 16 million in expiring contracts and 3 good prospects on hand, you could possibly use that to land that star big man to actually take that next step to a title.

[twenty-eight]

^^
Haywood's contract expires in 2010 as well

[pjfootballer]

Ive said this on other boards, mainly WE, yes, injuries should not be an excuse, but only to a certain point, their is a certain climax that excuse turns into reason, let me put you into a scenario, lets say, LA loses kobe, and Gasol, Kobe can be gil, and gasol can be caron, do they still get to the conferance finals? or even be 1st in the west?

Detroit, they lose Chauncey billups, and richard hamilton, are they more effective? no where near, San antonio, without tim duncan, and Tony parker, no where near as defensively dominant in the paint nor do they have the same efficiancy.

Their is a reason that they do not have the same "excuses" every year, its because none of their core players are out for long enough for it to be nearly as bad as our sitiuation.

I understand your "injuries are not an excuse", but, their is a certain extent to which that abides, you cant honestly say that Cleveland would even win a game without lebron, you cant say the celtics would be any good without KG.

Let them play a full season together and then we can point fingers and call them names.

I understand what you are sayin and I fully agree with you in regards to injuries to star players. Only difference is, our players have yet to prove they can win anything. How many years has Gil and Antwan been here? 3 or 4? Kobe, Duncan, Sheed, KG and the others have actually won something. And why is it that their star players don't get injured, but ours do? Is there something in the water in DC? It gets old because I saw what we could do the year before when we had the best record at the break.

This is the year we need to s*** or get off the pot IMO. I think DC is tired of waiting for a winning basketball team. We had to endure the Gene Shue years, the Wes Unseld years and over 25 years of mediocrity. We were teased with Webber, Howard and Strickland and now it seems like we're being teased again. If we fail to win 50 games and get out of the 1st round, the season will be a complete and utter failure to me.

[Gator Bait]

With 16 million in expiring contracts and 3 good prospects on hand, you could possibly use that to land that star big man to actually take that next step to a title.[/QUOTE]

not going to argue with that

and can use the bird rule to sign caron butler in 2011!

[Clutch03]

I for one get tired of the folks that don't appreciate the team we have. I've been a Bullets/Wizards fan all my life and we have had some very depressing seasons.

Of course I want the Wizards to win it all but to say I don't just because I'm happy with the team is just ignorant. What I find funny is the folks who say if we just trade this player for this pick or this player than we can win a Championship!! :laugh: It's amusing to me that these people actually think they know the "secret" to winning an NBA championship.

The fact is EVERY NBA team is trying to win a Championship and only one does it each year. So are all the other teams too dumb to follow this secret/formula that you guys seem to have figured out? No, there is just many factors to winning a Championship. EVERYTHING has to go right AND you have to throw luck into the mix. NFL Example, look at the Giants last year they were just an average team that squeeked into the playoffs and then went on to beat one of the most dominating teams in the regular season ever.

Do I enjoy the Wiz getting booted out of the first round of the playoffs? No. But I'm happy that we have a chance, that we are competitive, and that we are no longer the laughing stock of the league.

[hfmonk]

Ive said this on other boards, mainly WE, yes, injuries should not be an excuse, but only to a certain point, their is a certain climax that excuse turns into reason, let me put you into a scenario, lets say, LA loses kobe, and Gasol, Kobe can be gil, and gasol can be caron, do they still get to the conferance finals? or even be 1st in the west?

Detroit, they lose Chauncey billups, and richard hamilton, are they more effective? no where near, San antonio, without tim duncan, and Tony parker, no where near as defensively dominant in the paint nor do they have the same efficiancy.

Their is a reason that they do not have the same "excuses" every year, its because none of their core players are out for long enough for it to be nearly as bad as our sitiuation.

I understand your "injuries are not an excuse", but, their is a certain extent to which that abides, you cant honestly say that Cleveland would even win a game without lebron, you cant say the celtics would be any good without KG.

Let them play a full season together and then we can point fingers and call them names.

Here is a better question....If Parker and Duncan were injured three years in a row, their team exited the playoffs early every year, and they became free agents would SA give Duncan a near max contract offer and sign Parker to a $12M/year contract and leave their team to pray that the 2 players didn't get injured and in salary cap hell, or would they go out and try to find some very good healthy players with all the money they have? Baron Davis and Lamar Odom, maybe?

[The Caretaker]

Here is a better question....If Parker and Duncan were injured three years in a row, their team exited the playoffs early every year, and they became free agents would SA give Duncan a near max contract offer and sign Parker to a $12M/year contract and leave their team to pray that the 2 players didn't get injured and in salary cap hell, or would they go out and try to find some very good healthy players with all the money they have? Baron Davis and Lamar Odom, maybe?

If they have players of that caliber and they know how destructive they can be when they are healthy, (especially since there was close to no free agents available this year) why not bring them back? people claim that "oh, we can just get Lamar odom, or we can trade for brand, etc" its not that easy, players of good caliber are not always obtainable.

The front office obvoiusly believes that if they can stay healthy they can contend. And I tend to agree.

[Duckus]

We've seen him get destroyed on the boards and on defense twice in a row in the playoffs. Little PFs who lack athleticism, rebounding, and defensive ability should not be on this team. Remember that Etan and AD expire in 2010 at the same time Ras Butler would. With 16 million in expiring contracts and 3 good prospects on hand, you could possibly use that to land that star big man to actually take that next step to a title.[/QUOTE]

A star big man would be absurd. Which big men will be on the market in 2010?

[BoRnAndRaiSedSkinsFan]

I am disappointed that we've been bounced out of the playoffs three years in a row. But could you honestly be diasppointed with our team from last season? Who honestly thought we would have played as well as we did without gilbert arenas? I think people are being a little impatient. The Wizards are trying to build a franchise to be really good for years when they hit their peak. We have our money tied up in three all stars. We do not need any more big names. Gil and Caron have not even hit their prime yet. It's unfortunate we have some oler vets with big contracts that are hard to move. The team has to build the role players around our all stars to contend. We have a lotof young talent on this team that still needs to develop. Yea the Celtics are good now, but in 2 years when they can't resign role players and KG and RA are over the hill, they will be back to a bad team. For the pics we've had in the draft, our team has done really well bringing in young talent. This team is built for the future, not right now. I saw someone earlier say Kobe, Duncan, Sheed, and KG have actually won a championship. Yea....they've been in the league a lot longer than our current all stars except AJ. Someone else wanted to us to model our franchise after the Celtics, Lakers, Red Wings, Pats, and Yankees.... Ummm the Yankees are in a sport with no salary cap and every year have the best and most expensive players under contract. They've been getting bounced out of the playoffs consistently for a couple years running. The Celtics sold the future of the team for the time being to win now. They won't be anywhere in the next couple of years. The Lakers haven't done anything since Shaq until this year. They made some lucky trades and developed their young players. Plus having the best coach ever in the history of the sport helps. The Pats cheated their way to the top haha. I mean, they had the best team they've ever had this past year. They played against the worst team they've played in the Superbowl this decade. What happened??? They choked. I do expect better from our Wizards, and would love to see what our team healthy can do. If we stay healthy, I think we will get going in the right direction. We have a young team with talent. i say we give them another year to see what they can do. But it's definately a team that is built for the future.

[method man]

We've seen him get destroyed on the boards and on defense twice in a row in the playoffs. Little PFs who lack athleticism, rebounding, and defensive ability should not be on this team. Remember that Etan and AD expire in 2010 at the same time Ras Butler would. With 16 million in expiring contracts and 3 good prospects on hand, you could possibly use that to land that star big man to actually take that next step to a title.

A star big man would be absurd. Which big men will be on the market in 2010?[/QUOTE]

After the Mavs don't make the playoffs next season, Dirk will be on the market.

[hfmonk]

If they have players of that caliber and they know how destructive they can be when they are healthy, (especially since there was close to no free agents available this year) why not bring them back? people claim that "oh, we can just get Lamar odom, or we can trade for brand, etc" its not that easy, players of good caliber are not always obtainable.

The front office obvoiusly believes that if they can stay healthy they can contend. And I tend to agree.

Contend for what?
A first round exit?
Here are alot of reasons we are bad and ways to change it:

Maybe we shouldnt play Gil for the first 20 games....that way he might be healthy at playoff time.
He played 80 games and got injured at playoff time....then played 74 and got injured at playoff time....then he played the first few games this season and got injured because he forced himself to come back too early and was ineffectual in a few games in the playoffs because he couldnt be wise enough to let himself heal completely. He brought the team down with an ineffectual style of play that does not include defense and passing, as well as too many turnovers and fouls. But, hey, Gil can shoot and that is why he is a Point Guard not a Shooting Guard...Or maybe that is bad coaching and bad FO evaluation.

Haywood and Etan dont give us much defense, Pech doesnt(yet), Dray doesnt(...right now, but he will be good if Ayers has his way), VV is an offensive PF and doesnt, AJ isnt great at defense, Dominic is a stud and will be very good at defense in the future. All our bigs should be alot better at defense. All of these players are great players if they are in the right system and learning defense every day.

The problem is not so much with the drafting but with the coaching style and FO irresposibility. Any coach worth his salt that lets an injured great player come back too soon is irresponsible and harms the player, franchise and the fan's faith. The FO that allowed it should be held accountable too. The FO drafted good players and then put them in a sytem to fail after limited success and stunted their development.

I would love that guy we named defensive assistant head coach that left after a day. That guy has balls, wisdom and a solid head on his shoulders if he knows that the FO and HC are going to undermine his every move after just a day. Keep Ayers and we would have a solid beginning to a much tougher team. Also, we need to find a trainer and team Doctor that isnt a pushover.

The FO isnt infallible and I hold them accountable for the negative actions done in the name capitalism instead of true quality that will last like the Spurs, Lakers, Suns, Celtics, Nets and Pistons.


I dont want a playoff contender.
I want a championship contender.
Dont you?

[RonArtest15]

I dont want a playoff contender.
I want a championship contender.
Dont you?

I agree 100%....

Do I enjoy the Wiz getting booted out of the first round of the playoffs? No. But I'm happy that we have a chance, that we are competitive, and that we are no longer the laughing stock of the league.

I think this attitude perfectly reflects the sense of complacency that many have concerning the Wizards. Yeah! We're "competitive!" Well, so are about 10-12 teams in the Eastern conference. I don't see this team being any different than what we have been accustomed to watching over the past 4-5 seasons. Maybe we are being built for the future, but as far as what's going to happen this season, I have my doubts.

[BoRnAndRaiSedSkinsFan]

A star big man would be absurd. Which big men will be on the market in 2010?

After the Mavs don't make the playoffs next season, Dirk will be on the market.[/QUOTE]


Dirk won't give us rebounding and defense. I'd rather have AJ for offensive versatility and rebounds. Dirk would be another shooter. Plus his contrct would restrict us from making any moves. We need a role player like Gooden who gets boards. We need the right role players, not another all star. If only Andrew Bynum came with Caron Butler in the trade with LA. I'm pretty sure he wasn't doing anything for them at the time.........

[Clutch03]

I think this attitude perfectly reflects the sense of complacency that many have concerning the Wizards. Yeah! We're "competitive!" Well, so are about 10-12 teams in the Eastern conference. I don't see this team being any different than what we have been accustomed to watching over the past 4-5 seasons. Maybe we are being built for the future, but as far as what's going to happen this season, I have my doubts.

I think you are confusing being happy with not being in the celler with complaceny. Am I supposed to be upset that the Wizards are competitive? I want them to win the championship as much as you do. But like I said before only one team wins a championship every year ... I'm glad my team is in the conversation (by making the playoffs). One winner last season and a whole bunch of losers ... including the Lakers.

WHEN healthy this team has proven that they can be the best in the East. The problem hasn't been talent it has been health.

I just get tired of the "No it Alls" that can predict the future before any games have been played. Ask yourself this ... Could you predict that the NY Giants would have won the SuperBowl last year? I would argue that they are similiar to the Wizards. A team that has been competitive for a while but nothing special ... then boom Super Bowl Champs. Or even the year that the Detroit Pistons won the Championship ... did you predict that they would beat a Laker team with Kobe, Shaq, Gary Payton and Karl Malone?

Being competitive and in the hunt is what it is all about. Because you never know how the season and/or playoffs will shake out. Some of you all sound more and more like the "so called experts" that collect checks on tv and newspapers and less like fans. Part of being a fan is believing when no one else does ... otherwise your just known as a person who hops on the bandwagon.

[skinzwiz]

I think I know what the Wizards should do, but I just dont know how they should do it:


I believe Gilbert Arenas should be moved to SG. He is not a true point guard. He is an elite scorer and should always be looking to score. What the Wizards need is to find a point guard. DeShawn Stevenson should be coming off the bench behind Gilbert as a SG. Also I think thw Wizards need to find a decent center. They need an upgrade over Haywood...someone that can dominate. If the Wizards find a decent PG and decent center I think they can be okay.

I also think that's what my team needs...I like the Nuggets by the way.:cool:

[method man]

After the Mavs don't make the playoffs next season, Dirk will be on the market.


Dirk won't give us rebounding and defense. I'd rather have AJ for offensive versatility and rebounds. Dirk would be another shooter. Plus his contrct would restrict us from making any moves. We need a role player like Gooden who gets boards. We need the right role players, not another all star. If only Andrew Bynum came with Caron Butler in the trade with LA. I'm pretty sure he wasn't doing anything for them at the time.........[/QUOTE]

Even with all the bashing Dirk has gotten, he has led his team to the NBA Finals, beating the Spurs in the process. If you notice in the NBA, having a prototypical 7-footer at PF really helps. On defense, Dirk, while not all-NBA caliber, still does a decent job man-on-man and his presence in the paint alters shots, something Jamison can't claim. Furthermore, Dirk, while a shooter, still shoots at a high clip both from mid-range and 3-point range. He would be a very good no. 2 option next to Gil and his passing ability would help alleviate the fact that we don't have a true PG.

[arenasisgod]

They are going to win it all for Abe.
Gilbert >>>>> Jordan
Javale McGee >>>>> Shaq

As a result, I am excited to root for this championship contender.

[hfmonk]

They are going to win it all for Abe.
Gilbert >>>>> Jordan
Javale McGee >>>>> Shaq

As a result, I am excited to root for this championship contender.

At least you admit that you are a homer.
Unrealistic....but a homer.
Nothing wrong in delusion.
My wife is Jessica Alba in my delusion.

[TheREALJBird]

They are going to win it all for Abe.
Gilbert >>>>> Jordan
Javale McGee >>>>> Shaq

As a result, I am excited to root for this championship contender.

I like the optmism

[hfmonk]

Everyone that says, "Well what would the Spurs do without Duncan and Parker or Detroit do without Billups and Hamilton? is not comparing apples and apples.....If we had Billups or Parker instead of Arenas we might win something. If we had Duncan instead of AJ we would win something. Arenas and AJ are 2nd tier guys. They are overpaid and breaking our team in many ways. I love AJ as a captain and locker room leader but he is a sixth man on any great team. Gil is a very talented shooter but he is one dimensional and needs to develop if he ever wants to be great.

If I hog the ball enough I could score 30 in a game too. No team would win with me doing that....it would take the whole game....just like Gil....(But with me the team would score only 30)....Why score thirty when doing so makes your team only score 80 or 90 points and you lose because you give up 100?

Having a big three is nice but we need a big 5 and that isn't happening anytime soon. We need defense and we need post players that can play the high and low post. We need to cause turnovers not make them. We arent getting better this year....just older.

This team is not going anywhere in the playoffs anytime soon and we should not stand for it. As fans we must make our opinion known that we cant stand for just barely making it into the first round and quickly leaving the playoffs. Abe needs to know that we are disgusted with him and his mismanagement of a franchise that has not gone anywhere in 30 years and does not look to go anywhere in the next 30 years.

EG needs to show some management and get us the right coaching staff for this team. EJ, Unseld,Jr. ,Hubbard, and Koren need to go. Ayers should stay. Get that guy that refused the job of defensive coach for HC. He knew the situation and wouldn't stand for it. We need a coach like that. I want a guy that will stand up to EG and Abe.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

If I hog the ball enough I could score 30 in a game too.

I bet I'd crush you 1-on-1.

[hfmonk]

I bet I'd crush you 1-on-1.
I bet that is true.....but I could score 30 in a game if I had the ball all game and didnt pass it to anyone....The score would be 200-30 but I would score it.....okay...more like 500-30

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Dude there is no chance you could score 30 in an NBA game. No chance. I don't care how much you hog the ball. It ain't happening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTUAvU1EgUE

And remember, it would be not one but five "big kids" against you.


Back on the topic though: I still have faith, based on that half of a season two years ago where we were the ****, that we can make some actual noise and win some actual meaningful games. I think we can and I think we would have already if not for the God of Injuries. The ****er.

Now if we stay healthy this year, no major injuries to any major players, and we still bomb in the playoffs then I am fully ready to commit to the side of the naysayers.

So that's where I'm at and I think that's exactly where a lot of these "homers" are at.

[The Caretaker]

Arenas and AJ are 2nd tier guys

AJ maybe, but Arenas? no, He is the best scoring PG in the league, no question about it.

[HogTastic]

Dude there is no chance you could score 30 in an NBA game. No chance. I don't care how much you hog the ball. It ain't happening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTUAvU1EgUE

And remember, it would be not one but five "big kids" against you.


Back on the topic though: I still have faith, based on that half of a season two years ago where we were the ****, that we can make some actual noise and win some actual meaningful games. I think we can and I think we would have already if not for the God of Injuries. The ****er.

Now if we stay healthy this year, no major injuries to any major players, and we still bomb in the playoffs then I am fully ready to commit to the side of the naysayers.

So that's where I'm at and I think that's exactly where a lot of these "homers" are at.

No major injury to any of our major players???? I think you have a better chance of scoring 30 points in an NBA game.

On a side note I found this hilarious spoof of PTI I thought yall would enjoy
http://www.digitalfuntown.com/videos/90

[pjfootballer]

I dont want a playoff contender.
I want a championship contender.
Dont you?

I agree. See Redskin's fan syndrome.

I agree 100%....

I think this attitude perfectly reflects the sense of complacency that many have concerning the Wizards. Yeah! We're "competitive!" Well, so are about 10-12 teams in the Eastern conference. I don't see this team being any different than what we have been accustomed to watching over the past 4-5 seasons. Maybe we are being built for the future, but as far as what's going to happen this season, I have my doubts.

Agree. What good is it being merely competative if you can't get out of the first round?

I think you are confusing being happy with not being in the celler with complaceny. Am I supposed to be upset that the Wizards are competitive? I want them to win the championship as much as you do. But like I said before only one team wins a championship every year ... I'm glad my team is in the conversation (by making the playoffs). One winner last season and a whole bunch of losers ... including the Lakers.

Part of being a fan is believing when no one else does ... otherwise your just known as a person who hops on the bandwagon.

No one is upset that they are competative. Just for once advance to round 2 or 3. They are not a championship caliber team and to put them in the same category as the Pistons, Lakers, Mavericks, Suns, etc. is foolish. They all mop the floor with us. I don't want to be IN the conversation, I want them to BE the conversation.

Part of being a fan is having expectations for the team you root for. This is the same thing Redskin homers come up with when they can't debate a point: Question said person's fandom. I can't believe you called anyone in here bandwagon fan. Dude, I've been rooting for this team since 1977. Good or bad (mostly bad).


Back on the topic though: I still have faith, based on that half of a season two years ago where we were the ****, that we can make some actual noise and win some actual meaningful games. I think we can and I think we would have already if not for the God of Injuries. The ****er.

Now if we stay healthy this year, no major injuries to any major players, and we still bomb in the playoffs then I am fully ready to commit to the side of the naysayers.

So that's where I'm at and I think that's exactly where a lot of these "homers" are at.

I agree that we did show for 1/2 a season we could run with the big dogs, but there is always that "if" as, "if" we can stay healthy. But we never do. I appreciate your candor to committing to the "Naysayers" side, and I hope we have a great season and you won't have to do that.