Longtime Wizards observers will tell you that McGee, Blatche and Young followed Gilbert Arenas. They saw what he got away with. They learned from Arenas.
Obviously, there are better role models.
At some point, though, adults are responsible for their own actions. Which brings me back to Blatche.
I mean, really, what’s left to say about him? The fact that he’s even on the roster is a black eye for management.
Listing all of Blatche’s dunderheaded acts through the years gets tiring. Yet, here he is, going strong in his seventh season with the Wizards.
In fitting fashion, Blatche got Washington pointed in the wrong direction on opening night, announcing his captaincy, playing poorly as Washington squandered a 21-point first-half lead while losing and then criticizing Saunders for using him incorrectly.
I like Ernie Grunfeld, the team president. I respect what he’s accomplished during his long, successful career. But his loyalty to people colors his opinions too much.
Grunfeld makes too many excuses for Blatche. “He’s a young player,” Grunfeld usually says each time Blatche drags him into another mess. It’s like a remake of Laurel and Hardy with these two.
The Wizards continue to wait on Blatche because he has skills and a cap-friendly contract. They list Blatche among their “assets,” believing he also could be attractive to other teams if he plays to his potential.
And the first general manager this offseason who inquires about trading for Blatche should be the first fired. It doesn’t matter how much Blatche produces relative to his salary. He’s just not a winning player.
Unlike Blatche and McGee, Young hasn’t been a lightning rod for controversy. He’s also a good scorer.
Problem is, Young doesn’t do much else. He has exhibited an aversion to playing defense and, at 6 feet 7, has a career rebounding average of fewer than two per game. Also, Young hasn’t displayed the type of basketball smarts that would lead anyone to believe he’s capable of becoming a top performer on a good team.
After leading Washington in scoring last season, Young, a restricted free agent, reluctantly returned to the Wizards for a one-year qualifying offer because no one offered anything better. That says something about how the rest of the league views the Wizards.
With management seeking positive reinforcement for its decisions, the Wizards could be in trouble if the team has a decent stretch at some point this season, because that could prompt Leonsis and Grunfeld to believe they’re on a good track.
Even if the Wizards decline to re-sign Young, that wouldn’t be enough. They need to make it a clean sweep.
Wizards officials stress they have a plan. Separating from Blatche, McGee and Young would be the start of a good one.
For Jason Reid’s previous columns, go to washingtonpost.com/reid
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