Wizards Introduce Flip Saunders.
Media got a chance to meet the new head coach of the Washington Wizards in a press conference held inside the Verizon Center's Acela Club yesterday afternoon. After long speculation by fans and other media members, President of Basketball Operations, Ernie Grunfeld, told the media Saunders is the man to help the Wizards get back to where they belong - the NBA Playoffs.
A New Beginning
"This is a very exciting day for us", said Grunfeld. "Flip was top priority in this coaching search."
Grunfeld cited Saunders' NBA background and credibility as factors in the hiring decision. "He's a winner, not only in the regular season, but also in the playoffs.
Saunders has been in the NBA conference finals 4 out of the last 5 years, a place Grunfeld hopes to one day take the Washington Wizards.
While the Wizards had been somewhat successful at that with former coach Eddie Jordan, getting to the playoffs hasn't been an issue. It's advancing in the playoffs that's the missing element. (Wizards have met Cleveland in prior seasons, only to have Cleveland advance, leaving the Wizards with an early summer vacation).
"Once we get to the playoffs we want to make some noise, and I think this is the man to lead us there", said Grunfeld.
Flip On Coaching The Wizards Team
"It takes a lot of hard work, but you also have to be lucky in some aspects, said Saunders - adding, "but you can make your own luck through hard work, and the commitment that your players have for the team."
Throw in a little t-r-u-s-t, and you've got a winning team, according to Saunders.
"You have to be willing to trust your team mates. When you trust your team mates, it's not just you against the world, you're doing it together.
What Owner, Abe Pollin Had To Say
Saunders, who met with owner Abe Pollin earlier in the day, told the crowd Abe's only request is
On Player Development
"The young players have a lot of potential. Your potential is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do, and your character and attitude determines how well you do it. It's important for the coaching staff, it's important for the veteran players to help the young players understand what kind of attitude and character is needed to be successful in this league - but it starts at the top. It starts with Mr. Pollin, and trickles down to Ernie", added Saunders.
Speaking of the Players
When we asked how the other players have warmed up to (or not) the idea of having Flip as their new coach, we were met with this response from Grunfeld...
"We just made the announcement today. Flip hasn't met with the team just yet, but he'll meet with the team next week."
On Dealing With Different Player Personalities
Saunders wouldn't made light of the question we asked about which player Grunfeld warned him about.
"I can't tell you that", said Saunders joking - but later admitted - "All of them."
While Saunders says he's dealt with different player personalities in the past, he doesn't speculate that any of the Wizards players will be a difficult task, including star guard, Gilbert Arenas. Saunders said Arenas (who he has experience with in an All Star game) had text'd him a couple of weeks ago, and pegs Gilbert as a player who wants to win.
"I love his competitiveness. I look forward to the opportunity to work with him. I'll learn from Gilbert, and he's going to learn from me - but the bottom line is we talked about the trust factor. The most important thing is winning. It's not about an individual being an all-pro player, or an individual being an MVP, and I know Gilbert wants to win more than anything."
On What Makes A Great Team
Saunders compares the Wizards (or any team) as a melting pot. "That's why America is such a great country, people from different areas. In basketball you have to be the same way. One player's strength might be another player's weakness. Everyone can't be a robot. As a coach, my job is to bring those personalities together, connecting strengths, minimizing weaknesses. When you do that we're going to be very, very successful."
It's a Process
"The process starts today", said Saunders. It starts in the offseason with our players understanding the committment that I have as a coach, and I'm going to expect that same committment from those players - to work individually, to get better, and the process evolves in the training camp. It sets the tone for what we expect during the year. You play 82 games in the regular season to perfect how you want to play so that when the playoffs start, you have a chance to have success."
Along with that success Saunders is looking forward to, he promises fans this one thing about next season’s basketball games:
Happy birthday Mr. Grunfeld!
See Flip intro photos here.
Media got a chance to meet the new head coach of the Washington Wizards in a press conference held inside the Verizon Center's Acela Club yesterday afternoon. After long speculation by fans and other media members, President of Basketball Operations, Ernie Grunfeld, told the media Saunders is the man to help the Wizards get back to where they belong - the NBA Playoffs.A New Beginning
"This is a very exciting day for us", said Grunfeld. "Flip was top priority in this coaching search."
Grunfeld cited Saunders' NBA background and credibility as factors in the hiring decision. "He's a winner, not only in the regular season, but also in the playoffs.
Saunders has been in the NBA conference finals 4 out of the last 5 years, a place Grunfeld hopes to one day take the Washington Wizards.
While the Wizards had been somewhat successful at that with former coach Eddie Jordan, getting to the playoffs hasn't been an issue. It's advancing in the playoffs that's the missing element. (Wizards have met Cleveland in prior seasons, only to have Cleveland advance, leaving the Wizards with an early summer vacation).
"Once we get to the playoffs we want to make some noise, and I think this is the man to lead us there", said Grunfeld.
Flip On Coaching The Wizards Team
"It takes a lot of hard work, but you also have to be lucky in some aspects, said Saunders - adding, "but you can make your own luck through hard work, and the commitment that your players have for the team."
Throw in a little t-r-u-s-t, and you've got a winning team, according to Saunders.
"You have to be willing to trust your team mates. When you trust your team mates, it's not just you against the world, you're doing it together.
What Owner, Abe Pollin Had To Say
Saunders, who met with owner Abe Pollin earlier in the day, told the crowd Abe's only request is
"Just don't let us down",to which Saunders jokingly stated, "No pressure at all."
On Player Development
"The young players have a lot of potential. Your potential is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do, and your character and attitude determines how well you do it. It's important for the coaching staff, it's important for the veteran players to help the young players understand what kind of attitude and character is needed to be successful in this league - but it starts at the top. It starts with Mr. Pollin, and trickles down to Ernie", added Saunders.
Speaking of the Players
When we asked how the other players have warmed up to (or not) the idea of having Flip as their new coach, we were met with this response from Grunfeld...
"We just made the announcement today. Flip hasn't met with the team just yet, but he'll meet with the team next week."
On Dealing With Different Player Personalities
Saunders wouldn't made light of the question we asked about which player Grunfeld warned him about.
"I can't tell you that", said Saunders joking - but later admitted - "All of them."
While Saunders says he's dealt with different player personalities in the past, he doesn't speculate that any of the Wizards players will be a difficult task, including star guard, Gilbert Arenas. Saunders said Arenas (who he has experience with in an All Star game) had text'd him a couple of weeks ago, and pegs Gilbert as a player who wants to win.
"I love his competitiveness. I look forward to the opportunity to work with him. I'll learn from Gilbert, and he's going to learn from me - but the bottom line is we talked about the trust factor. The most important thing is winning. It's not about an individual being an all-pro player, or an individual being an MVP, and I know Gilbert wants to win more than anything."
On What Makes A Great Team
Saunders compares the Wizards (or any team) as a melting pot. "That's why America is such a great country, people from different areas. In basketball you have to be the same way. One player's strength might be another player's weakness. Everyone can't be a robot. As a coach, my job is to bring those personalities together, connecting strengths, minimizing weaknesses. When you do that we're going to be very, very successful."
It's a Process
"The process starts today", said Saunders. It starts in the offseason with our players understanding the committment that I have as a coach, and I'm going to expect that same committment from those players - to work individually, to get better, and the process evolves in the training camp. It sets the tone for what we expect during the year. You play 82 games in the regular season to perfect how you want to play so that when the playoffs start, you have a chance to have success."
Along with that success Saunders is looking forward to, he promises fans this one thing about next season’s basketball games:
"It's not just going to be a basketball game, but it's going to be an event."While a new assistant coach has yet to be named, one thing is true. It's a new day for the Wizards. A new (at long last, healthy) team, a new coach, a new NBA season. What a nice birthday present for Grunfeld, who celebrates his 54th today.
Happy birthday Mr. Grunfeld!
See Flip intro photos here.
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