Former Washington Wizards man Paul Pierce has taken purpose on the crew’s present shedding tradition, describing their present state as an “embarrassment.”
Paul Pierce: Wizards Are an “Embarrassment”
In the end the Washington Wizards managed to snap a seemingly endless 16-game shedding streak final week, with a shock win once more the Nuggets.
It impressed a momentary glimmer of hope for the rest of their season having endured a no-win November. Nonetheless, they had been rapidly reminded of the duty at hand after being steamrolled at residence by the Grizzlies on Sunday night time by a 28-point margin.
It stretched their dire season file to 3-19 – the worst within the NBA – and is now the worst begin in franchise historical past.
Former Wizards ahead Paul Pierce, who performed for the franchise for a single season in 2014/15, has blasted the present panorama in Washington.
An NBA champion with the Celtics, Pierce referred to as for a cultural overhaul whereas talking on the Kevin Garnett’s Ticket & The Fact present.
Being a Washington Wizards fan in 2024 pic.twitter.com/h5Lj5DGE7q
— PJ Hoops (@RealPjHoops) December 1, 2024
“They acquired to alter the tradition down right here,” Pierce mentioned.
“I don’t know if that’s with the coaches, I don’t know if that’s with the gamers, one thing has to alter as a result of now it’s back-to-back years the place we’re seeing any such product that they’re placing on the ground, and it ain’t nothing that it’s going to promote no tickets or nothing to get enthusiastic about. It’s nearly like a humiliation.”
Regardless of securing second general draft decide within the form of Alex Sarr – who has endured his fair proportion of teachable moments – Pierce has questioned whether or not the Wizards’ recruitment additionally wants analyzing.
“Numerous that is on group, too. Do they do diligence on gamers? Facilitating trades and who to herald for tradition and veterans and issues of that nature. That’s actually on them to attempt to determine that out.
“As a result of proper now, no matter they’re doing just isn’t working. And I don’t know should you put it on the gamers or the coach. Do they want a brand new voice in there? Do they want management? It’s like so many issues they need to examine off proper now.”
Washington’s disastrous season follows a dismal yr in 2023/24 the place they received simply 15 of their 82 video games, ending with the second-worst file within the NBA.
Based on NBA sportsbooks, their probabilities of making a miraculous cost to the playoffs stands at simply above 3%.