This is as bad as it gets.
Once perennial playoff foes, the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers are two of the worst teams in the league heading into their game Sunday in Cleveland.
The Wizards are 0-25 on the road this season. The Cavaliers just ended the longest losing streak in professional sports at 26 games Friday. There’s a real feeling the loser of this epic matchup won’t win again this season.
Comcast SportsNet’s Chick Hernandez has pledged not to cut his hair until the road streak is broken. The normally closely shorn Hernandez bought a comb, then a brush. He’s going to need shears if the Wizards lose this one. Hernandez soon will be able to audition for the next Kid ‘N Play video.
Can Washington really go 0-41 on the road? Sure, why not? They melt down in the fourth quarter faster than Charlie Sheen in rehab.
The Cavaliers at least have a reason for their demise after losing LeBron James to free agency. The Wizards finally jettisoned Gilbert Arenas, but the John Wall Dance has become the next Electric Slide for weddings and parties. Only the black hole that has been Washington basketball largely for the past 30 years could swallow the No. 1 overall pick in one gulp. Well, at least it’s not as bad as the Kwame Brown debacle.
Owner Ted Leonsis needs to clean house come the offseason. New general manager. New coach. A largely new roster.
Nick Young is a tease, a mediocre shooter who gives back points defensively like Arenas but lacks Arenas’ offensive strengths. Trade Young for whatever because after nearly four seasons there’s nothing to develop.
Andray Blatche is another who frustrates more than thrills. His 15.8 points and 8.1 rebounds are misleading. He doesn’t make big plays when needed.
Wall’s early injury has slowed his development. His 14.8 points and 9.0 assists aren’t bad, but Wall just doesn’t seem in sync with his teammates. Still, there’s time for him to become a star.
The rest of the players — whatever. Not really concerned with them.
The real change must come over the offseason. Coach Flip Saunders just isn’t reaching the youngsters. An 0-25 road mark is inexcusable, and a long-standing owner probably would have changed coaches already. Leonsis is likely learning the game and reluctant to move too early, but keeping Saunders after this season would be a mistake.
The Wizards need a coach who can build the roster. That wasn’t what Saunders was hired to do. It’s not his fault the team imploded and veterans were traded, but moving forward the Wizards need someone new. With this young roster, maybe the Wizards should lure Gary Williams from Maryland.
And surely the best move would be changing general managers. Danny Ferry is out there. Go get him.
Washington is a basketball town even if the Redskins are the most popular team. The Wizards could rival for the top if they could ever end this cycle of catastrophe.
Beating Cleveland would be a start.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
