The Wizards Need the Winds of Change to Blow Harder

The winds of change are almost constantly blowing through Washington. Whether it be politicians leaving office, the Capitals making an earnest run at the Stanley Cup, the Nationals having the brightest pitching prospect in the last decade, or the Redskins trimming their roster in strategic salary cap maneuvering, change is a constant in D.C. The one pillar in Washington, seemingly immune to change for the better or the worse, has been the Wizards. The Big Three of Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison accompanied by the up and down big man Brendan Haywood, and a bunch of no name players to fill out the roster. The addition of Mike Miller and Randy Foye didn't do much to change the Wizards, as they followed a dismal 19 win season with a season destined to net fewer than 30 wins yet again.The Wizards were strangers to change up until Arenas had the audacity to pull his firearm stunt towards the end of December 2009 and the beginning of January 2010. Funny how it takes a player messing with guns to open the eyes of the front office execs who should work towards improving the team instead of improving revenue in the presence of stagnation. In the last few weeks, Washington bid farewell to the likes of Butler, Jamison and Haywood.

Yet GM Ernie Grunfeld feels Arenas, the man with the contract rivaled only by his ego in size, can still be good for the Wizards. Keep in mind Arenas pleaded guilty to felony gun charges and awaits sentencing later this month. Sounds exactly like the guy I want leading my franchise into the future. Perhaps that is a bit harsh, but keeping ties with Arenas distracts from the players that are playing now. The ones who are still suffering the harsh season without the safety net of veteran leadership. The ones whose futures depend on their performance over the rest of the season.

- Matthew Brown