How Andray Blatche Got Eddie Jordan Fired in Less Than Two Minutes
Andray Blatche needed less than 60 seconds to irreparably damage the Washington Wizards’ 2008-09 season. Two plays in the fourth quarter of a tight game against the Miami Heat led to an irresponsible post-game comment that ought to lead to his dismissal before the all-star break.
Down 85-74 with 6:39 remaining in the game, Blatche committed his first turnover of the game on a traveling violation. Not something you expect at the pro level, but it can happen. Fortunately, the following Heat possession led to a missed layup from Dwyane Wade, a rebound from JaVale McGee, and a three-pointer by Antawn Jamison to close the lead to eight.
The Heat’s next possession was a missed three-pointer, which turned in a Juan Dixon short jumper in the lane to close it to six. The Wizards were clawing back into the game.
And then, with 5:09 on the clock, fate would have a series of poor passes wind up in the hands of Andray “Hot Sauce” Blatche, who went awkwardly between the legs before plowing into a Heat defender at the top of the key.
Offensive foul. Heat ball.
The Wizards would draw closer, thanks to the aggressive play of Dixon and Jamison down the stretch, but that was the thrill was gone for the Washington Wizards. So gone, that Eddie Jordan went on to make this statement after the game.
“This team is built for Gilbert Arenas to lead us, this team is built for our all-star forwards to do certain offensive things for us and for Brendan Haywood to have a career year manning the middle for us,” Jordan said. “We don’t have those things. You’re asking people to do things that they are not capable of doing. They are not capable of carrying the load for us like a Dwyane Wade, like a Gilbert Arenas. You’ve got young guys who aren’t going to make veteran plays night in, night out. They’re going to be good here and there, so to be in the game is a credit to everyone in our organization right now. It’s eight games into the season and you’ve got to be positive but you’ve also got to be realistic about things. That’s where we are.”
The bus rolled by, and everybody got thrown under. When the coach in essence says, “we don’t have the players to make it happen,” you’ve got a problem. And because Jordan isn’t the one drafting and signing the players, its all going to fall down on him.
The Wizards can compete and win with the core of players they have now, but they just aren’t responding to Jordan anymore. As good as he is for this team, and as great as he has been for its development, its going to be hard to say goodbye, but it has to happen.
Its only fair to ask him to leave before Andray Blatche pushes him out kicking and screaming.
 |  |
