OZZY

I think it is obvious, the players on Washington are still in awe of Michael Jordan! This is the man they all looked up to when they were young, and they would never ever talk back to him. You can see why but if the players totally give all control to Michael the team will not succeed because I think there has to be some "in-fighting" within a franchise. The Bulls had it, everyone on those teams did not bow to MJ, they respected him but they spoke what they thought.

Players like Stackhouse, Hughes and even guys like Laettner and Oakely should speak up more. MJ should not be the only leader on that team. Just seems like MJ is the one playing with the passion and everyone else is standing by watching...

So Wizard players, quit savering every second you have playing with Michael. There will be time for that later, so how about you start playing aggressive basketball.



P.S. Outside emotional problems with the team I think Kwame's lack of playing time has a lot to do with the slump they have been in. And Jerry really needs to star playing like he did last year with the Pistons, make other players better!

Bball_Doctor

Never understood why people are so hyped up on Stackhouse last season. Honestly, he didn't make the Pistons better...Carlise did. The Pistons this year are playing even better. Stackhouse is like Reef...great stats...no wins. But I take Reef over Stack anyday but that is a completely different argument. As for the MJ thing, I don't believe it is awe. The awe is over now..it is the fact that he is the BOSS. Everyone knows that as MJ plays he is evaluating the players the Wiz have on the court not as a player but as a boss as well. That extra pressure doesn't help. Plus the Wiz team is actually not that good. MJ is still playing great but his age is more evident than ever. Stackhouse is a loser not a winner. Huges can be labelled the same. Oakley...no. Laettner...solid but far from impact. Kwame...well no minutes. If they played in the West the Wiz could easily be a lottery team. Don't get me wrong I really really really want to see MJ back in the playoffs again but even that could not happen. They are the 8th seed now and struggling to keep it...I just can't see them winning out of the first round since MJ and Oak are basically the only playoff tested players. Stack played like crap last postseason. I wish they would just give Kwame some minutes...this whole making the playoffs thing is actually a bit selfish on MJ's part. He wants to leave as a winner: doing what he set out to do which is make the playoffs. MJ competitiveness and desire might just get him in trouble with young players such as Kwame. But then hey it is MJ and he turn a 19 win team to potential playoff contenders the last two seasons. Even if they don't make the playoffs I call that an acheivement. It was clear that winning a championship was a long long long long shot but MJ's comeback has sparked interest in WAS again. For that nobody can hold MJ's to his faults.

mambo47

Well said! 'Doc".

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Mambo was there when they won it all!