What can Randy Wittman expect as interim coach of the Washington Wizards? He might want to consult Ed Tapscott, who filled the same role in 2008-09. Before his promotion, Tapscott was the Wizards’ director of player development. It was his responsibility to tutor the Wizards’ youngsters, including Nick Young, Javaris Crittenton, Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee.
Compared to his predecessor, Eddie Jordan, who often referred derisively to his “rooks,” Tapscott was seen as a coach more sympathetic to the plight of inexperienced players. But even that year’s crop tried his patience.
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Once, when Tapscott angrily yanked McGee from a game, the center’s mother, Pam McGee, rose from her seat behind the Wizards’ bench and yelled, “Don’t worry baby. He’ll be gone next year.”
By the end of that horrific 19-63 season, Tapscott’s rotation looked a lot like that of his predecessor. Even with the team going nowhere, Tapscott couldn’t bring himself to reward unproductive but promising players with consistent minutes.
Four years later, Wittman becomes the interim coach under similar circumstances but with a different reputation. He played at Indiana under Bobby Knight, and as a Wizards assistant under Flip Saunders, he played the bad-cop role.
As he takes over a dysfunctional team, carrying little authority as essentially a substitute teacher, it will be interesting to see how Wittman handles players such as Young, Blatche and McGee, who in tough times always can find solace in his mother’s words.
After all, Wittman won’t be here next year either.
– Kevin Dunleavy
