So the wiz are doing some planholder meetings before games - the object is to find out about what we like and dislike about our experiences. They had 5 people there - all on the business/sales side of things and including one person who came down from the league in NYC. 2 of the people there were VP's.

Some stuff that was said:

1. Wizards did not leak any material to the media. (I was mentioning about the media and all of the rumors and gave the example of Ernie leaking stuff, and they answered this even though I didn't actually mean them to answer it)

2. Wiz are very frustrated because they are not able to explain their side of things. Everything of course is being vetted by lawyers. They are a lot of people pissed about the removing of Gil's jerseys etc. I told one of the VP's I would post what they were saying on this blog and he was really grateful.

3. RIght now the league is asking every player to disclose what firearms and weapons they have. There has been some talk about searching players before they go into the locker rooms but this won't happen according to the NBA person.

4. Before the season, Gil signed some papers that stated the do's and don'ts of being a Wizards player. He knew he wasn't allowed to bring guns into the locker room.

5. I talked to one of the VP's privately and he was talking about Gil being a 28 year old man and how at some point he has to grow up.

6. Wiz were not going to take any action when this broke because they wanted the legal process to play out. Gil forced their hand. Stern basically suspended him because he expressed no remorse, was lying on his twitter, and didn't seem to understand that what he had done was wrong.

7. One of the VP's expressed some anger that everyone seems to think they have abandoned Gil. It seems to be open as to when the jerseys come back, if Gil comes back etc. They want him to express remorse, understand what he did and change. (Not sure if this was said because they know the contract will be hard to void but I didn't get that impression)

8. It seems to be totally up to Stern how long Gil is suspended for. Wiz have no say.

9. Reason they removed his jerseys and went to such extreme measures is because of the image of the franchise and Gil being the face of the franchise. They didn't want kids looking at his jerseys etc and thinking that what Gil did was okay. It's also not the image they wanted to present. They weren't just abandoning or dismissing him as if he was trash. ( I thought this was really extreme when this happened but I can understand this now. Many people see athletes as role models which to me is unfortunate but is what it is. Athletes have a lot of influence)

I think that is all. Might remember more later. So were they being honest or was this just spin? From the emotions they expressed etc and a private conversation I had with a VP where he said some things I can't write here, I think they were actually being honest. But then again maybe I'm naive and want to believe them.

Editor's Note: Gotta bump this to the Front Page.  Great inside info from ooba! -PM

Hello

Here is my report from the meet and greet today. Sorry if some of it doesn't make sense - my hand was cramping as I was writing. Hope you find this interesting. It's a very long.

Flip said it was good to sit out last season and watch and analyze the other teams. Of course a plus was that he didn't lose any games.

He was interested in the Washington opportunity for 4 reasons - 1. ownership group's committment to the team and community 2. Managment staff and Ernie's success particularly with NY going to the finals and Milwaukee making the playoffs after many years. Plus Wiz making playoffs too. 3. Players - 3 all stars and plenty of veterans plus a nucelus of young players. 4. city and energy of the fans

He believes that Andre and Nick are really going to take off. Both have been really impressive. He particularly mentioned Andre's work ethic and working out.

Gilbert has been practicing every day and has lost 15 pounds and is at his lightest weight since 2004. Yes, Gilbert is unique and quirky but he is also very, very competitive.

Style of play - needs to be a balance between offense and defense. Have to take advantage of mismatches, the player who is hot will get the ball. For defense priority is protecting 3 point line and the paint.

Question - do you believe defense wins championships? How do you motivate the team to play defense? Flip - have to be committed to play defense. Individuals may not necessarily be good defenders per say but it is the team defense that is important. Especially help defense. It's also a matter of confidence. Players who get to this level know how to play defense they just need to know and understand the schemes and responsibility.

Q - Gilbert and leadership? Flip - Gilbert doesn't have a choice, he has to be a leader. I ask players - do you want to be good or great? A great player is a leader.The team is very hungry and embarrassed about last year. I have talked to him about  the process of being a leader. With Gil the potential is there as all of the other players respect him.

Q-Coaching staff of other teams has often dictated our matchups. How do you approach that from your perspective? Flip - we won't be matching down to another team, the 5 best players that work best together will be on the floor, this is not necessarily the 5 best players on the team.

Q - In the past you have had success with pg's who play slower. How does Gil fit with this? Flip- have had faster pg's eg: Marbury. It really depends on what you have. Don't want to get into fast break situation where there is a quick attack. Have to play half court as well. We play 82 games to set ourselves up for the playoffs so you can play the same way.

Q - how are the workouts going? Flip - each player working out has different strengths. Flynn - leader, good at pick and roll. Curry - best shooter. Jennings - very athletic. Price - good all around.

Q- a lot of players who weren't playing, weren't even on the bench supporting. What is your opinion on this? Flip - this may also be due to the dress code. Sometimes players will tweak something in practice and not have a suit with them. The team doesn't want the fine so the player won't be on the bench. But philosophy is player should be there suppporting.

Q-Guys getting hurt? What approach going to take? can we be like Phoenix? Flip - last year we had some freak accidents such as Haywood getting hurt. I hold intense but short practices as opposed to 2 hour practices. It's also a process of conditioning the body. Players have to prepare in the off season. Sometimes players show up to training camp and they haven't really worked out in the offseason so they start intense workouts and get injured.

Q-There are many statistical tools that sports fans don't see, what do you focus on stats or gut instinct? Flip - developing new program where will chart plays on a computer during the game so can see what works, players tendencies and synopsis of all plays. Can figure out top ten most successful plays. In last 10 minutes, I coach with my gut.

Q - who are you going to pick in the draft? Flip - we are looking at 7 players. Really depends on what the teams do above us. We are luckier than most teams in the top ten in that we do not have to have an impact player right away because we have such good players already. We can draft a new player and he will have good mentors. A player who would be a starter on another team, doesn't have to be that for us right away. When we drafted KG for Minnesota, we watched him work out for 5 mins. There were 20 other teams there. We told the other teams we were going to take him at number 5 in the hope that they would be like ' wow, he must be really good, maybe we should take him' in the hopes that one of those other players projected to go 1-4 would drop down.

Q- we have a very talented but immature team. How do you make them grow up? Flip - We keep pounding into players and eventually they will get it. If the players don't have believe and have the attitude the we can win a championship, then they won't play. I think of myself as more of a teacher than a coach.

Q (from someone who was a little angry but who can blame her) respect should be earned and not given. Gilbert is a prankster, he did his own rehab, he stopped sitting on the bench and supporting the team, and he behaved irresponsibly off court. Jamison is the opposite. Gilbert even said that the team should finish last to get the number 1 pick. Flip - I don't care about he past. We have a clean slate. I have a certain way of doing things. I tell players - 'your greatest strength is your greatest weakness if you can't control it'.Eg - with Rasheed and all of his technicals. I told him, if you think you are wronged by the referees (which he always thought), come over to me and yell at me instead. He would be looking at getting suspended for a game in the playoffs so would come over and yell at me to get over the hump. Of course it was interpreted as Rasheed and I were in conflict. As far as Gilbert's pranks - need a melting pot for the team which is what we have.

Q- thoughts on Ricky Rubio and would we take him if he fell to us?  Flip - don't think he is going to fall to us but he can play with Gilbert. Some teams are scared off by the Spanish contract but think a team will trade up to get him. After Blake, most buzz is surrounding Rubio and Curry.

Q- how do you develop the youngsters to make sure they are ready? Flip - experience with both KG and Marbury. Have to give youngsters responsibility to have them keep improving, as they improve give them more responsibility, if they don't improve take away some of that responsibility. Use film sessions as well. Part of the problem with youngsters is that they are not used to the competiveness of the games and how hard the games are. The players we have had work out for us have all said that our workouts are the hardest they have ever done.

Q - How will you get the team ready for a big moment at end of 4th quarter? Flip - practice late game situations every day. Preparation is really key. Can never really be prepared for getting caught up in the emotion but can have rituals and repetiveness.

Q - how is Brendan doing? Flip - very good shape. Actually lost weight while he was injured because was working so hard. No ill effects. Deshawn is doing back exercises.

Q- defense. even when healthy, one of the worst teams. Each coach has said we'll improve it and it never happens. What do you identify as the Wiz weaknesses? Flip - it can come from the offense. if you take a lot of 3 pointers early in the shot clock, you run the risk of the long rebound and fast break for the opponent and the transition defense has been lacking. We plan on contesting every shot, no second shots and no layups.

Q - about Javale? Flip - working with him on fundamentals. Has freakish athleticism but have to realize that don't have to dunk every shot, can sometimes lay it in.

Phew, I'm done. 

Hello

I have to train on Monday 14th so I can't use my ticket for Wiz/Pacers. The game is at 7pm and the seat is section 115, Row S, Seat 21. It is the wiz last home game before the playoffs and it will probably be pretty important for playoff positioning.

Ticket is free to whomever wants it. Reply to this  with your e-mail if you want it.

Thanks

Hi

Ernie held this chat for Wiz planholders at the en d of March. Here is a transcript:

Haymarket: I think coach Jordan and the Wizards have been doing very well this year despite the injuries. However, over the last few years, it always seems that the Wizards always play down to their level of competition and lose to teams that are missing key players. Last nights loss is a prime example. What gives?

Ernie Gunfeld: We played well this season against some pretty good teams, and that's just the nature of the NBA, sometimes you face some teams and have a bad game. We have another game coming up against Seattle and we'll try and do better. We are disappointed about last night's loss, especially after beating the Pistons at home. But in this league, you have to put the disappointing losses behind and look to the next game.

Mike (Clarendon): This year you had three rookies receive significant playing time due to injuries. Can you talk about what each one brings to the table and what you think they need to work on in the off-season?

Ernie Gunfeld: The first rookie, Nick Young, has shown the ability to get his own shot, his shooting pct from three is among the best among rookies. He's very proficient on the offensive end, although he needs some polish. On the defensive end, like most rookies, he needs work. Dominic McGuire is also doing very well and we're expecting big things from him. Our first round pick from last year, Oleksiy Pecherov, unfortunately broke his ankle earlier in the seaason but he's back and a good defensive rebounder and shooter. We think he has the potential to be a rotation player.

Ryan (Springfield, VA): What Wizard has surprised you the most this season and why?

Ernie Gunfeld: I've been pleasantly surprised by several. Antawn Jamison has been a workhorse for us and as a two-time All-Star maybe it shouldn't be a surprise. Roger Mason has also been very solid for us, playing key minutes and really doing the job for us on the defensive end.

Jackson, Columbia: Ernie - Do you read Gilbert's blog on NBA.com and if so what do you think about it? Thanks

Ernie Gunfeld: I really don't read it. Every once in awhile I hear about it. It's very popular and widely read blog, and I think last year he won a Celebrity Blogger Award. But I don't read it every week.

Rick (Potomac): Ernie, Regarding Gilbert - Do you believe his recent frustration at not being cleared by the doctors will be used as a reason to not re-sign with the team? If the team is prepared to make him a max offer, what do you think are the possibilities that he signs that offer? Thanks

Ernie Gunfeld: Gilbert loves it here. He loves the fans and this city. I love that he wants to come back and play for us. He's worked very hard and he's frustrated. He's right around the corner and should be back for us soon. I love that he's so competitive that he wants to get back right now and help his teammates.

BK Arlington: As a General Manager, you have made some great decisions on which player to keep or let go. Everyone in town is wondering about GA. But I think the backbone to this team is AJ. What are our chances of signing him? Thanks for your time

Ernie Gunfeld: Our intention for the offseason is to retain both Giilbert and Antawn. We are a good team, we've beaten Boston twice, New Orleans twice and that's without Gilbert. With this current group, when we get healthy, we can beat anyone. I want to keep this core and see what we can do against the top opposition at full strength.

Fred (Burke): You have pulled off some great trades/signings over the last couple of years with Gil, Antawn and Caron. What are the first few characteristics that you look for when acquiring a player?

Ernie Gunfeld: Everybody has different characteristics so you can't pidgeon-hole anyone. I like competitive nature in a player, does he reallly want to win and hate losing. Also, you have physical factors, size, strength, athleticism, a particular skill. But I like guys with a real competitive nature who have character.

Allen (Arlington): Ernie: If Etan Thomas retires, would you use the money that frees up to resign present players or to get a new player ( I think you need a 15PPG SG for when the Big Three get injured )

Ernie Gunfeld: We're anticipating Etan to come back and play, so I think that's a bit premature. We expect him back with us.

Stevie (Fairfax): Ernie, First time long time, thanks for taking the time to host this chat. Which veteran player would you compare to Nick Young and what impact will he have for the Wizards over the next couple of years?

Ernie Gunfeld: It's hard to compare players to other players. Nick Young's strengths are his ability to score, good size for his position and he's athletic. He's got a diversified offensive game. He's showed improvement defensively. He's one of these players who likes to play, likes to compete and is a hard worker. I think he'll be a solid player for years to come.

Sam (Reston): Do you have Tennessee winning the NCAA Championship? Those Jayhawks look really good!

Ernie Gunfeld: For the record, of course! Actually, I have them going to the ...lemme check....lemme see my bracket. I got them reaching UNC, which would be a tough game. But if they get past UNC anything can happen. I'll be in front of the TV tomorrow night rooting them on.

G (Springfield: Who are your role models as GM and why?

Ernie Gunfeld: My mentor and role model as a younger GM was always Red Holzman. He was a consultant for us with the Knicks. I loved him as a coach, growing up in NY. I was fortunate to have worked with him. I learned many valuable lessons from him. He was always fair and honest and treated people with respect and that really made an impression on me in my earlier years in the front office.

Hello

I have a conflict next Wed night so I can't use my Wiz/Bucks ticket. Does anyone want it? Its one ticket but a very good seat - Section 115, Row O, Seat 16. I'm not looking for money for it, I just want it to go to a good home. Reply to this post, if you want it and I'll figure out a way of getting it to you.