How bad have things gotten with the Washington Wizards? Bad enough that the players are bickering with each other and their coach, who is about to lose his job, a source close to the situation told FOX Sports Ohio.
The Wizards entered the lockout-shortened NBA season with some buzz, most centered around electrifying second-year point guard John Wall and young big men Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee. They even got cool new uniforms — red, white and blue intended to celebrate their championship-contending (and winning) days of the 1970s, when they were known as the Bullets.
But an 0-8 start has a way of putting a damper on hope, and a premium on the idea that a start-over is desperately needed.
First came the report from CSN Washington that said veteran forward Rashard Lewis got into an argument with assistant coach Sam Cassell before a game against Minnesota, resulting in Lewis’ refusal to play. A sore right knee was what the Wizards’ listed as the reason Lewis was not in uniform for the 92-73 home loss Sunday.
Lewis and head coach Flip Saunders denied the report, and Lewis told the Washington Post he wasn't on the bench because he didn't have a sports jacket.
But a source told FOX Sports Ohio that Saunders “likely has two or three more games” for the team to show signs of progress. “He might not even last the week,” said the source, who asked to remain anonymous because of his close association with the team.
The good news for Saunders is other sources have told the Post that his job is safe. Also, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis wrote on his blog, “I have found the best thing to do in times of stress and turmoil is to do research; be analytical; NOT emotional; and try to find ways to improve.”
Saunders is 49-123 as coach of the Wizards and in the third of a four-year contract that reportedly will pay him $18 million. He attended Cuyahoga Heights High School outside Cleveland and was named Ohio's Class A Player of the Year in 1973.
The Wizards’ 0-8 start is the worst in franchise history.
