[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

I feel like the Wizards are the dumbest franchise in the past decade in a half. I’m no Wizards fan, but the moves the front office made is really questionable. One that really sticks out is that they could’ve got James Harden for Bradley Beal straight up.

I know most will be like John Wall and James Harden couldn’t play together because they are both ball dominated gaurds. But, I would argue that James Harden played with both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook at the same time to close games. Also, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade played together, Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan are playing together, and others had success with more than one primary ball handler.

I believe that they can be on the same team and the Wizards could’ve made it work by putting shooters around them, a stretch four, and operating their minutes by having one play with the starters and one play with the bench and have them play together at the end of the game. I feel like this would have been the best backcourt in the league if the Wizards didn’t have Ernie Grunfield (GM).

Some of the nonsense that occured on with the Wizards in the era of Ernie Grunfield is pretty amazing…..

• Trading Jordan Crawford for cash consideraton
• Trading the 5th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft for Randy Foye and Mike Miller 
• Only great player(s) that he’s drafted is John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Devin Harris 
• Here goes the more nonsense about the Wizards draft history ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards_draft_history )
• They always miss on drafts and can’t develop players, outside of Wall and Beal

This GM made some questionable decisons and they need to make a big splash next summer to try to contend for a championship because if they don’t they will be looked upon as the Josh Smith-era Atlanta Hawks.

 

 

 

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 I still think about the fact that they turned that trade down.  I wonder how the Wizards would look with a Wall and Harden backcourt.  I do think that Beal is a better fit with Wall as a spot up shooter but Harden was the runner up for MVP.  Harden and Wall would both need the ball but they would both be able to create for themselves and others. 

Another thing is that OKC was willing to trade Harden for Beal straight up.  It makes you realize how highly both Washington and OKC valued Beal.  

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 I still think about the fact that they turned that trade down.  I wonder how the Wizards would look with a Wall and Harden backcourt.  I do think that Beal is a better fit with Wall as a spot up shooter but Harden was the runner up for MVP.  Harden and Wall would both need the ball but they would both be able to create for themselves and others. 

Another thing is that OKC was willing to trade Harden for Beal straight up.  It makes you realize how highly both Washington and OKC valued Beal.  

[SubZeroParticipant]

Don’t call Otto Porter a bust yet, the jury’s still out on him. He could take a big jump next year

[SubZeroParticipant]

Don’t call Otto Porter a bust yet, the jury’s still out on him. He could take a big jump next year

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Never said that Otto Porter was a bust, just indicated that he wasn’t a great pick or that they didn’t develop him. 

I do believe that he is going to break out next year being used more as a stretch four and playing with John Wall more. I believe he also on a verge of breaking out to the previous veterans on the team that should help him develop, in Trevor Ariza and Paul Pierce.

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Never said that Otto Porter was a bust, just indicated that he wasn’t a great pick or that they didn’t develop him. 

I do believe that he is going to break out next year being used more as a stretch four and playing with John Wall more. I believe he also on a verge of breaking out to the previous veterans on the team that should help him develop, in Trevor Ariza and Paul Pierce.

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Never said that Otto Porter was a bust, just indicated that he wasn’t a great pick or that they didn’t develop him. 

I do believe that he is going to break out next year being used more as a stretch four and playing with John Wall more. I believe he also on a verge of breaking out to the previous veterans on the team that should help him develop, in Trevor Ariza and Paul Pierce.

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Never said that Otto Porter was a bust, just indicated that he wasn’t a great pick or that they didn’t develop him. 

I do believe that he is going to break out next year being used more as a stretch four and playing with John Wall more. I believe he also on a verge of breaking out to the previous veterans on the team that should help him develop, in Trevor Ariza and Paul Pierce.

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Never said that Otto Porter was a bust, just indicated that he wasn’t a great pick or that they didn’t develop him. 

I do believe that he is going to break out next year being used more as a stretch four and playing with John Wall more. I believe he also on a verge of breaking out to the previous veterans on the team that should help him develop, in Trevor Ariza and Paul Pierce.

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Never said that Otto Porter was a bust, just indicated that he wasn’t a great pick or that they didn’t develop him. 

I do believe that he is going to break out next year being used more as a stretch four and playing with John Wall more. I believe he also on a verge of breaking out to the previous veterans on the team that should help him develop, in Trevor Ariza and Paul Pierce.

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Never said that Otto Porter was a bust, just indicated that he wasn’t a great pick or that they didn’t develop him. 

I do believe that he is going to break out next year being used more as a stretch four and playing with John Wall more. I believe he also on a verge of breaking out to the previous veterans on the team that should help him develop, in Trevor Ariza and Paul Pierce.

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

Never said that Otto Porter was a bust, just indicated that he wasn’t a great pick or that they didn’t develop him. 

I do believe that he is going to break out next year being used more as a stretch four and playing with John Wall more. I believe he also on a verge of breaking out to the previous veterans on the team that should help him develop, in Trevor Ariza and Paul Pierce.

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Raycasey I think your initial thought going into this meant well. Let me say this its easier said now than then whats a smart or not smart action. 

Let’s consider this wall &,harden would definitely be a top 5 duo of today, plainly in.my.opinion., but who knew harden would develop into a MVP player? I feel in okc he was very good, obviously he made a good enough impression to make the USA Olympic team, but what he has become I think is a extreme case. I feel okc wanted Beal because of the amount of time westbrook & durant handled the ball, & with a good perimeter shooter like beal he would open up the offense even more, & this would ddfinity help out weztbrook if he chose to take the help considering his inconsistencies shooting the 3 ball as opposed to continuing with harden who added to the culture of one-on-one ball that okc gets stuck  in throughout periods of games.

Like what has been said alreadt this speaks to the value of beals shooting & potential at the time. I think had the wizards had a crystal ball, being able to tell the future they word have pulled off the trade, & like wise if okc had a future telling crystal ball to see harden would become a MVP caliber player maybe they trade perk for some 2nd round picks or do something to create a way to have enough money to keep harden, but no team had a crystal ball, not on draft day, free agency, or throughout the season. Wiz arent even my team, but i dont like when people say anything is stupid regarding the past decisions when those decisions need time to pan out, and then when the result is unfavorable someone gets a thumbs up for bashing that decision as if they knew the result all along.

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Raycasey I think your initial thought going into this meant well. Let me say this its easier said now than then whats a smart or not smart action. 

Let’s consider this wall &,harden would definitely be a top 5 duo of today, plainly in.my.opinion., but who knew harden would develop into a MVP player? I feel in okc he was very good, obviously he made a good enough impression to make the USA Olympic team, but what he has become I think is a extreme case. I feel okc wanted Beal because of the amount of time westbrook & durant handled the ball, & with a good perimeter shooter like beal he would open up the offense even more, & this would ddfinity help out weztbrook if he chose to take the help considering his inconsistencies shooting the 3 ball as opposed to continuing with harden who added to the culture of one-on-one ball that okc gets stuck  in throughout periods of games.

Like what has been said alreadt this speaks to the value of beals shooting & potential at the time. I think had the wizards had a crystal ball, being able to tell the future they word have pulled off the trade, & like wise if okc had a future telling crystal ball to see harden would become a MVP caliber player maybe they trade perk for some 2nd round picks or do something to create a way to have enough money to keep harden, but no team had a crystal ball, not on draft day, free agency, or throughout the season. Wiz arent even my team, but i dont like when people say anything is stupid regarding the past decisions when those decisions need time to pan out, and then when the result is unfavorable someone gets a thumbs up for bashing that decision as if they knew the result all along.

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 James Harden final year in Oklahoma City 17 ppg, 4rpg, 4apg and he was only 22 years old playing as the third option. You’d expect a player at that age that played that well coming off the bench, being that young, and being the third option on the Thunder behind Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

I most likely will go with the sure thing than gamble and take a less established player in most cases, besides the Andrew Wiggins Kevin Love swap. I was for the Lakers to trade Julius Randle and the second overall pick for DeMarcus Cousins because he’s an established star. 

 

 

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 James Harden final year in Oklahoma City 17 ppg, 4rpg, 4apg and he was only 22 years old playing as the third option. You’d expect a player at that age that played that well coming off the bench, being that young, and being the third option on the Thunder behind Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

I most likely will go with the sure thing than gamble and take a less established player in most cases, besides the Andrew Wiggins Kevin Love swap. I was for the Lakers to trade Julius Randle and the second overall pick for DeMarcus Cousins because he’s an established star. 

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

Yea, he actually averaged 16.8 pts/3.7assists/4.1rebs a game, not that much off but you did too much averaging up for me. What I am saying is we knew he could play And obviously he was a sure thing, meaning pretty good, but were you sure about him becoming a MVP player? I’m mean he was the MVP this year even the players said he was robbed of the award by voting for him at the players award.

Beal is no scrub and in.my opinion is a top 10 shooting guard when healthy, who knows what okc or washington saw him becoming, drafting in any sport comes down to a combo of guts vs logic, and sometimes your right, sometimes your wrong, and sometimes your content. Either way trust was put into beal and for the most part its working out. I mean seriously, After the finals lost to miami with harden’ performance did you, be honest, see MVP in harden’s future? I have to ask because right now 16.8pts 4 rebs & close to 4 assists  a game don’t seem like number that beal can’t reach!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

Yea, he actually averaged 16.8 pts/3.7assists/4.1rebs a game, not that much off but you did too much averaging up for me. What I am saying is we knew he could play And obviously he was a sure thing, meaning pretty good, but were you sure about him becoming a MVP player? I’m mean he was the MVP this year even the players said he was robbed of the award by voting for him at the players award.

Beal is no scrub and in.my opinion is a top 10 shooting guard when healthy, who knows what okc or washington saw him becoming, drafting in any sport comes down to a combo of guts vs logic, and sometimes your right, sometimes your wrong, and sometimes your content. Either way trust was put into beal and for the most part its working out. I mean seriously, After the finals lost to miami with harden’ performance did you, be honest, see MVP in harden’s future? I have to ask because right now 16.8pts 4 rebs & close to 4 assists  a game don’t seem like number that beal can’t reach!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[thricethefunParticipant]

It’s easy to say this in hindsight but no one knew Harden would be this good when Houston traded for him. He had just come off one of the worst finals performances in NBA history and it was questionable whether he was best fit to stay as a super 6th man rather than being a starter. Obviously if the Wizards could do it over again they would have traded for Harden but I don’t think this should be cited as one of the reasons Ernie is a terrible gm. Believe me there are many other reasons…

[thricethefunParticipant]

It’s easy to say this in hindsight but no one knew Harden would be this good when Houston traded for him. He had just come off one of the worst finals performances in NBA history and it was questionable whether he was best fit to stay as a super 6th man rather than being a starter. Obviously if the Wizards could do it over again they would have traded for Harden but I don’t think this should be cited as one of the reasons Ernie is a terrible gm. Believe me there are many other reasons…

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 He was a 22 year old that came off a season when he averaged 17 4 and 4 in about 31 minutes per game. He got better every season in which he was in the NBA. 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 He was a 22 year old that came off a season when he averaged 17 4 and 4 in about 31 minutes per game. He got better every season in which he was in the NBA. 

[thricethefunParticipant]

Which are good numbers but they don’t scream surefire superstar. Some people even thought Harden wasn’t worth the contract he got from Houston at the time.

[thricethefunParticipant]

Which are good numbers but they don’t scream surefire superstar. Some people even thought Harden wasn’t worth the contract he got from Houston at the time.

[whiteflashParticipant]

 You gotta remember though that Harden wanted out of OKC because he was basically tired of sharing the spotlight. He would be throwing world class hissy fits if he shared a backcourt with Wall. I’m interested to see how they use Lawson this year, ’cause Harden WILL NOT give up his ball dominant style without a major fight, ’cause it will drastically cut into his numbers. I’m in Houston and am curious to see how this plays out. Mchale said all of last year Harden needs to learn to play without the ball. Let’s see if he’s willing.

[whiteflashParticipant]

 You gotta remember though that Harden wanted out of OKC because he was basically tired of sharing the spotlight. He would be throwing world class hissy fits if he shared a backcourt with Wall. I’m interested to see how they use Lawson this year, ’cause Harden WILL NOT give up his ball dominant style without a major fight, ’cause it will drastically cut into his numbers. I’m in Houston and am curious to see how this plays out. Mchale said all of last year Harden needs to learn to play without the ball. Let’s see if he’s willing.

[goneParticipant]

 Ariza and Nene were on the books for big $$$$ and Wall wasnt locked up yet. So giving Harden the max would send them over plus risk not having money to resign Wall.

 Wall, Beal, and cap flex to possibly scoop Durant and keep Beal seems better to me.

[goneParticipant]

 Ariza and Nene were on the books for big $$$$ and Wall wasnt locked up yet. So giving Harden the max would send them over plus risk not having money to resign Wall.

 Wall, Beal, and cap flex to possibly scoop Durant and keep Beal seems better to me.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

In all fairness it’s not like that 5th pick turned into anything good. The Timberwolves drafted Jonny Flynn. Granted it’s not a given that the Wizards would’ve taken him. But I highly doubt they would’ve taken Stephen Curry with that pick.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

In all fairness it’s not like that 5th pick turned into anything good. The Timberwolves drafted Jonny Flynn. Granted it’s not a given that the Wizards would’ve taken him. But I highly doubt they would’ve taken Stephen Curry with that pick.

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Wizards tried to be win now when Agent Zero-Gilbert Arenas was there and took a few years to get themselves free of the heavy contracts they are carrying. Wall and Harden would have been a great duo but it’s not like Beal doesn’t still have upside and isn’t a very good NBA player even if he isn’t in the Harden class.

Porter the jury is still out on, he looked as if he struggled in his rookie year but with PP to mentor him last season he started to make good strides. This year will be a big year for him as he’ll likely be starting SF as PP has moved on.

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Wizards tried to be win now when Agent Zero-Gilbert Arenas was there and took a few years to get themselves free of the heavy contracts they are carrying. Wall and Harden would have been a great duo but it’s not like Beal doesn’t still have upside and isn’t a very good NBA player even if he isn’t in the Harden class.

Porter the jury is still out on, he looked as if he struggled in his rookie year but with PP to mentor him last season he started to make good strides. This year will be a big year for him as he’ll likely be starting SF as PP has moved on.

 

 

 

[cjwParticipant]

 As a wizards fan the jan vesely pick still haunts me

[cjwParticipant]

 As a wizards fan the jan vesely pick still haunts me

[Author]

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