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Reeling Wizards send coach Saunders packing, promote Wittman
Source: Agencies |
January 26, 2012, Thursday
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THE National Basketball Association-worst Washington Wizards fired coach Flip Saunders on Tuesday after a 2-15 start and replaced him with assistant Randy Wittman.
"I'm not the miracle-maker here," said Wittman, who was given the top job through the end of the season. "We've got to change our outlook on how we play. Sometimes, when you have such a young team, players get a little confused, when the word 'development' is used; that they're going to be able to develop just playing. Development has to happen on the practice floor."
The Wizards fell to 0-7 on the road with a 20-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Washington's next game is at home against the Charlotte Bobcats today.
"I felt like at this time, our players were not responding, and we needed a different voice," team president Ernie Grunfeld said.
Grunfeld said that the coaching change was his decision, although he got approval from owner Ted Leonsis - whose National Hockey League team, the Washington Capitals, dismissed coach Bruce Boudreau in November last year.
Saunders was in his third season with the Wizards, going 51-130. When he was hired, the roster featured All-Stars Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, but the franchise is now starting over around point guard John Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft.
"I'm not the miracle-maker here," said Wittman, who was given the top job through the end of the season. "We've got to change our outlook on how we play. Sometimes, when you have such a young team, players get a little confused, when the word 'development' is used; that they're going to be able to develop just playing. Development has to happen on the practice floor."
The Wizards fell to 0-7 on the road with a 20-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Washington's next game is at home against the Charlotte Bobcats today.
"I felt like at this time, our players were not responding, and we needed a different voice," team president Ernie Grunfeld said.
Grunfeld said that the coaching change was his decision, although he got approval from owner Ted Leonsis - whose National Hockey League team, the Washington Capitals, dismissed coach Bruce Boudreau in November last year.
Saunders was in his third season with the Wizards, going 51-130. When he was hired, the roster featured All-Stars Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, but the franchise is now starting over around point guard John Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft.
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