There is still more than a month and a half left until the start of the 2023-24 season, but there are several coaches who have begun to feel the pressure of the noose around their neck. Failure to meet the expectations generated last year or the potential need for a major change of direction in the project will place technicians such as Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Billy Donovan or Chris Finch in the spotlight from the first day of the ‘training camp’.
There is another ‘head coach’ whose work will also be carefully monitored, although for other reasons. Wes Unseld Jr. will begin his third season leading a dull Washington Wizards that has been in no man’s land for five years: they are neither good enough to compete for the playoffs nor bad enough to aspire to one of the first three picks of the draft. Now, in addition, the departure of Bradley Beal opens a new stage in the franchise that has been accompanied by important structural changes in the main offices.
In his case, Unseld has maintained a record and position in his two campaigns in the American capital: 35 victories, five away from the access positions to the play-in, and a disappointing 12th place in the Eastern Conference. Michael Winger, named president of operations of the Wizards last May, has not directly suggested that Unseld’s position is in danger, but he already warned of important changes as soon as he landed in the organization. «I would not like to arrive at a ready-made organization. That’s not very exciting. It’s going to be a matter of establishing a culture and creating an identity that we can hold on to and continue for the next half decade. Sometimes, change for the sake of change accelerates progress », he declared then.
2023-09-08 20:00:00
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