Mark of Futility

The Wizards have matched the worst start in franchise history. And in my opinion are one game closer to having a new coach. It is apparent that this team has given up on coach Eddie Jordan. All of the alleged emphasis that was placed on defense in the pre-season has been for naught. This team just doesn't get it on the defensive end of the court. The rotations are slow, the defensive rebounding is awful and there is no intensity at all. On the offensive end of the court the ball doesn't move enough. The usual offensive set consists of a pass and a shot...usually a jump shot. The Wizards are a team of jump shooters. The problem is that the shots are not falling. There is an old adage in basketball that says "if you live by the jump shot, you die by the jump shot." That pretty much sums up the Wizards season thus far -- dead!

There is no quick fix for the problems that ail this team. The team as it is currently constructed will continue to struggle if it is not making shots. Can you blame that on the coach? No, but I don't see many adjustments being made by the staff. The Wizards were unable to generate any offense against the zone defense New Jersey employed Thursday night. "They threw in that zone, and that was the game-change," Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. "We haven't worked against it enough to feel comfortable against it. It was a good strategy by them." Why haven't you worked against a zone in practice and why weren't you able to make adjustments during the game?

The Wizards allowed Bostjan Nachbar to score 10 points in the 4th quarter in the New Jersey game. Nachbar continued to get open looks even after hitting 3 consecutive shots early in the quarter. Jordan said "We thought we were closing out on him aggressively, but he really made some good shots, he and Richard." I don't know who he thought was closing out aggressively? I didn't see a defender within 6 feet of him on the two 3-pointers Nachbar drained.

In the Denver game dribble penetration by the guards especially AI was again a problem. Iverson was able to beat his man and dish the ball off to open shooters who were making shots. (the Nuggets recorded 30 assists). The Wizards also had no answer for Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is a bad match-up for most teams, but he is an especially tough cover for the 'zards because they lack a player with the combination of size and quickness to slow Melo down. The game was essentially over when he made 5 straight shots in the 3rd quarter to push the Denver lead into double digits.

The schedule doesn't get any easier in the near future. The Wizards play a much improved Atlanta team on the road Sunday then return to the VC to face Indiana on Wednesday. Each player needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask himself what he can do to help the team get out of this slump. Coach Jordan deserves better effort than he is getting from these players. I hope they don't end up getting him fired.

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