Wizards coach Randy Wittman rips reporter who compares team to circus
With a record of 26-44 and only 12 games remaining in the regular season, the Washington Wizards have secured themselves a sub-.500 record for the sixth straight season. There has been some improvement since the team’s last playoff appearance in 2008, but the Wizards drafted John Wall with the first overall pick in 2010 and have yet to take the next step.
That doesn’t mean you can go around comparing head coach Randy Wittman’s team to a circus. In fact, WUSA’s Kevin Jones learned on Monday that doing so will earn you more than an earful from the second-year coach. After referencing how the circus was in Washington D.C. over the weekend, Jones asked if Wittman is relieved that the Wizards — who have won seven of their last 10 — are “no longer a circus.”
“You didn’t seriously just ask me that question, about the (expletive) circus being in town?” Wittman asked furiously, via CSNWashington.com’s J. Michael. “Are you (expletive) me? You called this organization a circus at one time. So I’m not going to answer that question.
“I’m part of the damn circus. It’s not a circus around here. … I don’t want to hear that no more. That’s disrespectful.”
Jones later tried to explain his motivation for asking the question, insisting that he was just joking with Wittman at a bad time.
Was looking for one of his “voodoo” answers. Caught him at the wrong time. He’s the man and I didn’t mean any disrespect. We’re cool
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) March 25, 2013
As this NFL coach can tell you, many people do not respond well when their teams are compared to the circus. Jones was trying to have a little fun with Wittman and compliment the team for turning things around to close out the year, but the joke clearly didn’t land. Now he knows for next time.
Thanks to DC Sports Bog for sharing the story
