When change is the new black, "staying the course" is a dirty phrase inside the Beltway.
But that's exactly the plan of action Wiz GM Ernie Grunfeld decided to take as the NBA trade deadline came and went.
In this case, patience is not only a virtue, it's the most expeditious path to success.
Not so says the blogosphere world of punditry.
It's long been the popular opinion that the Wizards could not contend for a championship behind the big three of Jamison, Arenas and Butler. Problem is, no one has even seen the big three healthy and on the court together with a strong supporting cast.
Even in '06-'07 when the team raced out to the best record in the East, sending Eddie Jordan to coach the All-Star game, the Wizards had little to show from the bench. Do Jarvis Hayes, Calvin Booth, Michael Ruffin and Donnell Taylor have merits worth touting? Didn't think so.
But in this economy, it's popular to focus on dollar signs and bottom lines. So when whispers of an "Antawn Jamison or draft pick" ultimatum made their rounds, with Grunfeld opting for the former, people pushed the panic button and national critics formed a line.
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How dare the Wizards even thing about "selling" their draft pick? Well, they said the same when the Celtics essentially traded the fifth pick in 2007, Jeff Green, for Ray Allen ... until Kevin Garnett fell in their lap.
No, a Garnett-type is not magically landing in D.C., but solid pieces are already in place, and Jamison is one of those pieces the team is better off with than without.
It remains to be seen where the Wizards draft pick will even fall, much less if they'll be any summertime buyers of it packaged with a bad contract -- likely not. But for a change, Abe Pollin's financial issues seem to be a secondary concern to winning.
On second thought, maybe we will see change out of this franchise.
