Ted Leonsis on the State of the Washington Wizards

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 4: Ted Leonsis, CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, talks during a press conference announcing a new contract for John Wall at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. on August 4, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ted Leonsis gave a candid interview on the state of his Washington Wizards, on the Wizards Off the Bench podcast. Some of what he had to say will surprise some fans.

In their Off the Bench podcast, team owner Ted Leonsis gave a candid interview on the state of the Washington Wizards. Mr. Leonsis spoke about the team’s current struggles, free agency, and the changing landscape of the NBA. He also believes that the Wizards are one player away.

Leonsis also had high praise for Jason Smith, who he called a “Godsend”. Whether Smith’s in the game, or doesn’t see the floor, one would never know it, because he always has a good attitude.

According to Leonsis, the Wizards

"“are off to a slower start than we all anticipated. I thought that having the continuity in bringing back Otto Porter, John Wall and Bradley Beal as our core–with one of the best starting five statistically when they play together–that we’d have a better record. We’re a couple of games over 500. If the season ended today, most likely we’d be in the playoffs.”"

Part of the reason for the Wizards’ slow start, Leonsis attributes to the team’s injuries. Beginning with Markieff Morris, who was out to the start the season, due to sports hernia surgery. Then most recently Wall, who has been sidelined with a knee injury.

However, he believes that if the Wizards can get through this five-game road trip, and stay around 500, they will be in a good position when Wall returns. But he’s still not satisfied where the Wizards are at the moment.

The Wizards Culture

On why Wall, Beal, and Porter want to remain with the Wizards. Leonsis believes, that drafting and developing the team’s young players is key. In addition, Kelly Oubre, a first round pick, has really been contributing.

“The ability to build a team around the team is important not only to the performance on the court, but how you build your business.” The fans like longevity, specifically knowing that a great player like Wall will be around for a long time.

The way you build a team is through the draft, trades and free agency. But Leonsis believes that free agency is a crapshoot. A lot of free agents have to learn the system and their new city. In addition, a player is “one injury away from not living up to their contract”.

With the uncertainty of free agency, Leonsis’ philosophy is that he tends to reward players, that believed in the Wizards early on. He cites Otto Porter as an example, who went to Georgetown, and the former number one draft pick, John Wall.

Leonsis mentioned, that the first conversation that he had with Wall after the draft, was similar to the one he had with the Capitals’ Alex Ovechekin:

"‘We’re honored to pick you, but the reason why we’re picking you is because we’re not that good. We have to be in this together, share a viewpoint of what is success. We have to overcome all of the speed bumps, and be in this together.’"

Both the Wizards and Capitals organization have young players with high integrity, who love the fans, the city, and share the same vision to grow their respective teams.

On Coach Scott Brooks

Coach Scott Brooks is a player’s coach. Being a player’s coach to Leonsis means, you do the coaching in the film room and the practice court. On the court itself, the coaching shouldn’t take away from the players–you can’t show up the players or wear them out.

At the end of the game, when the players go into the locker room, you don’t see Brooks. This was the first time that Leonsis has ever experience that. It’s the players’ time, win or lose, they have to decompress. There’s nothing a coach can say that can add value to the game, a couple of minutes afterwards.

According to Leonsis, that’s a very astute part of being a player’s coach. Being able to know when to be tough, or let the player figure it out. He’s also witnessed Brooks ask the players, if something’s going to work during the game.

NBA’s Changing Landscape

‘”Golden State has raised the bar for everyone.” With four All-Stars, they play a game that relies more on skill, speed and shooting. He’s hoping that the Wizards now have three All-Stars, but knows that they still have to build and continue to add depth.

Finding the right rotation and chemistry has been a little difficult, because they added a lot of new players to their bench. He’s aware of the criticism of their second unit but lately they have been playing well. Some games the bench has played an integral role.

But there’s an arm race in the NBA, to keep what you have but trying to add to it. The Wizards are in the max at what they can spend, and are now in the luxury tax. Like their fans, Leonsis believes that the “Wizards are one player away”.

However, he believes that the Wizards will get better, as their four young players improve. According to the Wizards owner, Otto Porter has been their best player this season.

Leonsis also discussed, how the Wizards have lost their lead near the end of games. If the Wizards got some defensive stops, they’d have four or five more wins.

Playoff Bound and the Bullets

Leonsis expects both the Caps and the Wizards to be in the playoffs. He isn’t concerned about the 50 or 55 wins, just that they do better than last year. Leonsis believes that the Wizards could’ve went to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

He noted, that the Cavs are starting to perform well, and the Celtics being the surprise team. He recognizes that the Wizards have to get through one of those teams, to reach their conference finals.

Looking over the 40 years, the Bullets were a great franchise and went to the Finals often. They were able to get Bobby Dandridge, who reminds him of Otto Porter. Leonsis has been advocating for Dandridge to be in the Hall of Fame.

With regards to Phil Chenier, he’s the most respected person and deserves to have his jersey retired. Also, Chenier will to continue to be an important part of the Wizards and Monumental Sports for life.

It should be heartening to fans, that Leonsis is in keenly in tune with what’s going on with the team, and is also aware of what’s needed for the Wizards to take that next step.

On Monday, the Washington Wizards have an upcoming second part to their Leonsis interview, which you can find here.

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