Another fun week in Wizards world, eh? And that’s not just because new owner Ted Leonsis gently reminded me that Yi Jianlian wasn’t acquired for marketing purposes. Did I really think that? Not quite, but it was fun to write, and it speaks to my own corporate background from my previous career/life. By the way, it’s also nice to know that Leonsis is reading the Examiner, too. Ted, we appreciate it.
Perhaps what I should’ve said, though, was that the indications of a longer-term strategy for the Wizards were clear before Leonsis reminded everyone that Washington intends to be the tortoise. It is no surprise to watch Washington let the rest of the NBA scramble to make a splash in free agency while the Wizards both reap the rewards (with the acquisition of Kirk Hinrich, Kevin Seraphin and Yi for next to nothing) and rebuild the roster in a way that fits the revamped vision of team president Ernie Grunfeld and head coach Flip Saunders, with energy, toughness and defense in guys like Trevor Booker and Hamady N’diaye.
