Former NBA big man Tony Massenburg joined Scott Jackson & Doc Walker, who were in for Chris Russell, to talk NBA playoffs on Friday – but they had to ask Massenburg about the Wizards’ GM search as well.
Massenburg played for 12 NBA teams and a few more overseas, so he’s seen a lot – and in his opinion, a first-time GM isn’t necessarily a bad idea, as long as said selection has experience in a championship-caliber front office.
“I think you need a GM who has a name in the NBA – someone who has accomplished something. A lot of times that’s difficult to find because those guys are mainstays with their organizations,” Massenburg said, “but I think you need someone with a reputation, or who has been in the fold of a championship team – maybe not the head GM, but someone who has been under the tutelage of someone who has achieved something extraordinary. You need someone who knows what it takes to win in today’s league and can assemble the right pieces.”
A little after Massenburg’s appearance, Wolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, a hot name in the process, went on sister station WCCO and intimated he’s staying to focus on his job in Minnesota – which has a couple ex-Wizards on the roster.
There are a lot of those in the NBA who are starring in the postseason – Gary Payton II with the Lakers is one example Massenburg used – and whomever becomes Wizards GM has to find a way to bring in, and keep, players who can perform like that in DC, unlike the past.
Related
“If you’re Ted Leonsis, one of the thing that has to be concerning is seeing guys who have played with the Wizards performing well elsewhere now,” Massenburg said. “For whatever reason, you haven’t been able to get out of these guys what they’re doing now, so you want to find someone who can not only get the right players in, but get the most out of them while they’re in the fold.”
Keep up with 106.7 The Fan via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram