Introducing New Wizards Assistant Coach Don Newman

Last week the Washington Wizards named Don Newman as an assistant coach. I am sure most of you are thinking, who is Don Newman? That's what you have me for.

Don Newman has 20 years of coaching experience. He also spent the past 7 seasons in San Antonio. If you do the math, you realize that Newman has 2 rings from his time with the Spurs. If you know anything about the Spurs system, you realize that they get a bunch of no names to produce next to Duncan. So it seems like a good move to add someone from a winning organization to a team that has had problems with that as of late. The Spurs are also one of the classiest organizations in sports and Newman should help bring some more class to Washington.

Newman managed to help the Spurs win 50 or more games in each of his 7 seasons with the team. Can you remember the last time the Wizards won 50 games? It sure has been a while. He helped the Spurs to the top record in the West last year. Have the Wizards had a top record in my lifetime? No! I am excited to have Newman on board and I am not the only one.

“Don is an outstanding coach and a great addition to our staff. He brings championship experience from his time with the Spurs and has been very successful in every stop of his career.” - Randy Wittman

Welcome aboard Coach Newman. This is a great low profile move.

-Noland

Wizards Reportedly Big Fans of Thomas Robinson

Before I begin this entry, I'd just like to say that I am back on Twitter. My new account is @norob87. The old one had issues that Twitter wasn't fixing so I opened up this bad boy. Be sure to follow me on there and here as well. I will do my best to follow you back.

Now on to the news story. The Washington Wizards are reportedly looking hard at drafting Thomas Robinson according to a report. The original report came from SI, but I got this story here. Apparently, the Wizards think Thomas Robinson can make an immediate impact in the frontcourt and they don't want a high risk guy. That type of high risk guy like Andre Drummond failed the Wizards before (Blatche, McGee).

Thomas Robinson is a hard working safe pick. The former Kansas Jayhawk would fit right in with the mentality that Wizards coach Randy Wittman is trying to instill in his team. I am just not sure Thomas Robinson is the impact player and scorer that the Wizards so desperately need.

I'm ok with the Robinson pick though, because he will start and you can then bring in Booker's energy off the bench. This move would make the Wizards far more versatile and help build depth. They can do a lot worse than Robinson at #3.

-Noland

Who Will Be The Wizards Coach?

Over at Wizards Extreme they recently did a piece on who the Wizards coach will be next season. This coaching piece is something that will be critical to the Wizards success next season. Due to their success towards the end of the season and the fact that he did decent with poor circumstances you would think Randy Wittman would get a shot. This article got me thinking though, what if he doesn't?

Would Sam Cassell be the next in line? I'd love for the former Nole to get a shot, but I doubt they go with him if they pass on Wittman. He may well be a candidate though down the road.

The post argues that the Wiz should bring in a college coach. I'm not sure that is the way to go, remember the last time that happened. The Wizards had one of the most successful coaches in college, Leonard Hamilton, and he didn't do so hot in Washington. I love Hamilton, he is great as a Nole, but he didn't cut it as a professional coach. If we looked to the college ranks, wouldn't he be at the top of the list again? Do we really want a repeat of that incident?

To me only two college type coaches make sense for the Wizards. These coaches are Brad Stevens of Butler and Gary Williams the former Maryland coach. Why these two? I chose these two because of their connection to Wizards basketball and because I think their coaching styles could translate to the pros. Brad Stevens is a two time national runner up who coached Shelvin Mack in college. He has a track record, is young, successful and is proven to help develop talent. His track record with Shelvin Mack could help give Mack his highest chance to succeed as a pro. Gary Williams is a legend of Maryland basketball. He has won a National Championship and made Maryland a powerhouse. I think the world of Williams as a coach. I doubt Williams would consider it, but wouldn't mind him coaching the Wizards one bit. It might lead to yet another return of Juan Dixon as well.

Of  course, the ideal college coach is Coach K, but does anyone think he is leaving Duke? If Krzyzewki doesn't leave Durham for the Lakers, he isn't leaving for the Wizards. I don't see it happening.

Therefore, I say go with Wittman, but am open to something new. What do you think the Wizards should do? Is there someone better than Randy?

-Noland