The Wizards players are in a very long line on this one.
The feeling around the league is that Wizards coach Randy Wittman will be given his walking papers within a few days of the end of the season. The Wizards were a big disappointment this season, and while injuries were a part of that so was an attempted shift to play faster/smaller that is just not in old-school Wittman’s wheelhouse.
Wizards players are expecting the ax to fall, reports J. Michael at CSNMidAtlantic.com.Of all of the players talked to by CSNmidatlantic.com, including following Wednesday’s morning shootaround at Verizon Center, none expect him to be retained even though Wittman is partially guaranteed for 2016-17....
Some players don’t believe Wittman takes into consideration their points of view on in-game adjustments. John Wall and Jared Dudley have spoken up about it, though they’re hardly alone.
“I don’t see how they could bring him back,” one player told CSN via phone.
Wittman has not been popular with the players for years, but the combination of wins in the playoffs (last season) and there still being years on his contract kept him employed. This season both of those things go away (there is a partial guarantee on his contract, but Ted Leonsis would not need to eat the entire thing).
The Wizards need a coach who wants to play fast and whose base offense will take better advantage of John Wall’s skill set. The question becomes will Leonsis be willing to pay what the big names ask, and would he give them the power over players they will demand? Or, are the Wizards looking for a top assistant and hoping they strike gold?
We should find out soon, the ax will fall on Wittman within a couple of days of the end of the season.