[Ed. Note: This is the 'official' TAI debut of Conor Dirks, longtime Wizards fan, Maryland transplant in the ATL. Follow him on Twitter: @ConorDDirks. -Kyle W.]

In the last 10 years, the Wizards have had exactly one general manager, former NBA player Ernest Grunfeld. During Ernie’s tenure, the Wizards have amassed 475 losses, which is good for the second-most losses (tonight’s opponent, Minnesota, has the most) and third-worst winning percentage in the NBA over the last 10 years. The reason for the discrepancy between total losses and percentage is appropriately sad: the Charlotte Bobcats didn’t exist during Grunfeld’s first year with Washington.

It would be irresponsible to hold one individual wholly accountable for the failure of an organization with so many moving parts. However, after the trade of Jordan Crawford, and a recent history riddled with failed player development, it’s appropriate to try to ascertain what has gone wrong.

Bad draft picks and failed draft picks are not one and the same. Many of Ernie Grunfeld’s draft-day acquisitions have gone on to play significant roles in the NBA. However, the Wizards under Ernie Grunfeld have shown a complete lack of ability to develop and retain valuable players. Washington has also, during Grunfeld’s tenure, become notorious for dysfunction. This dysfunction isn’t endemic to D.C.’s team (see: Sacramento Kings), but the Verizon Center might be its headquarters. Read more »

[Editor's Note: The last time we took an in-depth look at Jan "Honza" Vesely, he was fighting that dragon. Today, he continues to fight. Did you know that he actually started four games earlier this year? He sure did. More recently, Vesely played for at least 20 minutes in three straight games from December 21 to 26 (totals: 14 points, 12 fouls, 11 rebounds); since, he's seen 32 total minutes over the last four games (totals: 4 points, 5 fouls, 9 rebounds). After taking some lumps against Dirk Nowitzki in 16 minutes of action on New Year's Day, Vesely only played four minutes (all in the first quarter) against the Pacers in Indiana on Wednesday.

"He has to play better," is all team president Ernie Grunfeld could muster about his 2011 sixth overall pick in a recent interview with NBA.com's David Aldridge. Quite the understatement from the much-maligned leader of basketball operations. Jan Vesely needs to do more than "play better," he needs an awakening. Maybe schnitzel, pea soup and potato salad from auntie will help.

Below, find a translation by TAI's Lukas Kuba of a recent interview Vesely gave to a Czech outlet, as well as video of Randy Wittman discussing his young, fragile player. —Kyle Weidie]

I’m still getting used to the NBA, it’s not good, says a worried Jan Vesely

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Ultimately, it is what it is — Mike Miller style. What will be with the Washington Wizards will be. Until there are signs that that franchise is truly turning around, those who question “the plan” are obtuse outsiders without context. At least it seems this way, sometimes, as mistakes accrue and ownership looks to provide massaged reasoning via blog pixels.

It won’t be easy is a mantra, stay the well-intended course is the verse, and injuries are the narrative. It’s still hard to tell if something is direly amiss with the Ernie Grunfeld administration and how things are being evaluated in his second life. The track record barely needs mentioning to know how putrid it is. Now, the fires have been further inflamed by a reported trade that never happened.

The Washington Post‘s Michael Lee dropped a bombshell on Ted Leonsis’ pro basketball franchise on Tuesday evening, just as the Wizards were set to tip off against the Hornets in New Orleans. The quick gist is this tweet via @PostSports:

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John Wall met with a few reporters after his press conference today. Wall talks draft experience, expectations, DC declaring June 25, 2010 John Wall Day, jersey number possibilities, USA World Cup Soccer, and the controversial Eric Prisbell Washington Post article. Wall is humble, candid and brings his own raw style of humor. Enjoy

At John Wall’s introductory press conference today, the Wizards played a new video for their No. 1 draft pick. It was a big welcome to the city, the John Wall Dance, D.C. style.

I saw Stephen A. Smith roaming the media catacombs of Madison Square Garden and figured I’d ask him about John Wall to the Wizards, Wall playing with Gilbert Arenas, and the proposed trade for Kirk Hinrich and the 17th pick … but I figured to not ask him about cheese-doodles, even though we’re at the NBA Draft and all that.

Smith did not disappoint in his answers, including speculation of an Arenas for Baron Davis deal, that he, however, likes the idea of Arenas staying in D.C. (because “he owes the District of Columbia a great deal after the way he screwed up”), and that he’s “not completely convinced” of the purported Hinrich trade.

Just check it out.

While I’m in New York for the draft, Adam McGinnis is covering the goings-ons back in D.C. and brings the video below of Ernie Grunfeld’s post-John Wall selection press conference.

At the end, someone asked the Wizards team president to do the John Wall Dance.

No comment. But hey, at least he tried.

As you may or may not know, I’m in New York City, at Madison Square Garden, covering the 2010 NBA Draft, one that will go down in history for the Washington Wizards.

As you also probably know by now, the Wizards have arranged to acquire the 17th pick in tonight’s draft along with Kirk Hinrich in exchange for providing the Chicago Bulls with precious, precious cap space. The deal can’t be official until July 8th, you can read the details about it here. Hence, when the 17th pick is called tonight, he’ll likely be a Bull for a couple days.

Nonetheless, I stopped and chatted with Coach Fran Fraschilla about who the Wizards might be targeting with the 17th pick, i.e., telling Chicago who to select.

Many thanks to Coach Fraschilla for taking time to talk.

On Monday, June 21, Bobby Maze (G, Tennessee, 6′3″, 195) worked out for the Washington Wizards along with Magnum Rolle (F/C, Louisiana Tech, 6’11, 225 lbs.), Samardo Samuels (F, Louisville, 6’9, 260 lbs.), A.J. Ogilvy (C, Vanderbilt, 6’11, 250 lbs.), Solomon Alabi (C, Florida State, 7’1, 251 lbs.) and Devan Downey (G, South Carolina, 5’9, 175 lbs.). Get the run-down on Maze and check out his workout videos below…

When Maze talks, you can really tell he’s from the DMV. Just listen to how he says “area” and “experience.”

Maze Run-Down:

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I’m not going to get all jazzy with an explanation of what you see above, you can go to the creator, Obsessionism, for all of that (btw….dude did this for all NBA teams).

What do I notice off the bat? This season, losing by 1-6 points is a muther.