At this point, it’s going to take a miracle to save the Washington Wizards.
Currently staking their claim as the worst team in the NBA, the Wizards are likely headed for a serious change. But whether that change happens first in the front office or the roster is anybody’s guess. A season which was supposed to be a new page in Washington history has, so far, read like the same old chapter for one of the league’s most dismal franchises.
Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk have a few ideas on how to return Washington back to prominence. This week they debate which method would be most effective in putting some magic back in the Wizards’ hands.
Riley: Where to begin? After sitting in on a few Wizards’ practices, I’ve come to the realization that head coach Flip Saunders is the right man for the job—he just doesn’t have enough workers. Forward Andray Blatche and former No. 1 pick John Wall have been lambasted by critics, but these are two guys that are stationary pieces in D.C. Wall needs to seriously improve his jump shot, that’s nothing new, but Blatche would be better served coming off the bench ala Lamar Odom. If the Wizards can land another power forward who can dominate in the post through a trade, that would be perfect. I like the pieces they already have and hope the team doesn’t do anything drastic that would break this unit apart. It would be ideal if they could land another top pick in the draft but I fear pressure and ridicule from fans won’t allow them the time.
Green: This team can’t just sit back and wait for years at a time to add talent. They need to make a move now. Blatche needs to go, immediately. The immaturity is one thing, but his inability to be effective is something else. He’s a cancer to this club and needs to be moved. I wouldn’t mind seeing guard Nick Young traded as well. I agree with you, the team needs a low post scorer, and if they could package both Blatche and Young for such a gem that would be superb. They also need to fire Saunders as soon as somebody from the front office reads this. His offensive schemes have been nonexistent and he hasn’t developed Wall at all. I’d bring back Eddie Jordan before I’d keep Saunders.
Riley: Blatche has been disappointing but I’m a firm believer in holding onto skilled big men. He has position flexibility and can play both power forward and center at times. And when he’s on his game he can be an adept passer and shooter but I think the pressure to operate as a go to scorer hurts his performance. Young has shown that he can light it up but again, neither Blatche nor Young should be in your first wave of scorers. You really couldn’t ask for better complimentary talent than what this team already has, they just need to land a top-flight scorer.
Green: You can take the tune that you’re satisfied with the talent on this roster but I’m not. When you watch this team play, you see a bunch of guys who can run, jump and talk trash but offer little in terms of basketball fundamentals. The only player on this team who can shoot is Young, but even then only on selective nights. Honestly, I wouldn’t be opposed to breaking this team up. Outside of Wall and Jordan Crawford, we’ve already seen what Blatche, Young and JaVale McGee can add, and I’m tired of seeing it. The Wizards are the only team in the league with three should-be bench players starting and a head coach, who should be fired, still coaching. Mediocrity has gripped this city for years and everything you’re saying just seems to be a regurgitation of the level of complacency that surrounds D.C. sports fans. If you want change then change the team and get a competent coach and some better players in here. And if Wall keeps bricking everything he shoots, then I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing him exit either.
Riley: The only problem gripping this city is impatience. The microwave days of trading draft picks for immediate help and doling out contracts to over-the-hill veterans are over. I can’t speak for the football team but the District’s professional basketball team is right on track. Do they stink? Yes! Should they blow up what they have? No way. The team is committed to building through the draft and that’s what they’ve done thus far. The 2012 NBA draft class is deep and although it’s a shame we’re already talking about this summer, that’s Washington’s most surefire path to improvement.
