Bruce Boudreau hasn’t generated this many headlines since that time he kept saying “f&*$” on HBO. The Caps coach has been receiving plenty of plaudits for the balls it took to bench Alex Ovechkin at the end of the third period on Tuesday night. And rightfully so. Everything worked out to perfection, both on the ice and off. Even Ovechkin himself had to concede that point.
It got me wondering what it would be like to have such a ballsy coach at the helm of some of the area’s other prominent teams. Could Coach Bruce bring structure to the disorderly Wizards? Could he instill some accountability in the Redskins?
If Bruce coached the Wizards . . .
For starters, Andray Blatche’s minutes would be cut in half. I doubt that would bother anyone too much. Even Seven Day Dray would concede that he could use the extra rest, and man, the cushions on those chairs are thick. Very supportive. Very comfy.
There would be increased accountability elsewhere, of course. Jordan Crawford could still dream of being better than Michael Jordan, but he’d have to do it without the green light to shoot 20 times a game he has enjoyed under Flip Saunders. On the other side of the court, JaVale McGee would probably be expected to play the kind of defense that doesn’t involve blocking every shot within 15 feet of him. Weird, right?
If Bruce coached Maryland football . . .
Sorry, Kevin Plank, but you can take that third alternate helmet and shove it someplace uncomfortable—at least until the team is playing well enough to warrant such ostentatious sartorial selections.
If Bruce coached Maryland basketball . . .
Let’s just say he wouldn’t allow a meddling athletic director to chase him away. Though, to be fair, he probably wouldn’t last for 15 seasons.
If Bruce coached the Redskins . . .
Current coach Mike Shanahan has had plenty of run-ins with star players. The difference is, his method of standing up to players usually involves showing them up. No forced conditioning drills for the disgruntled tackle or the public shaming of his quarterback for Bruce. Nothing but the cold reality of the bench for those who deserve it, and a straightforward explanation for the rest of us.
The biggest loser in this scenario would be Kyle Shanahan. Not only would he no longer be the coach’s son, he’d no longer be the guy calling the plays. Because Coach Bruce calls his own game.
After all that, maybe he could do something about that practice bubble everyone is waiting on.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
If Bruce Boudreau Ran the DC Sports World
His benching of Alexander Ovechkin worked for the Capitals. Could he work his magic on other area teams?
Bruce Boudreau hasn’t generated this many headlines since that time he kept saying “f&*$” on HBO. The Caps coach has been receiving plenty of plaudits for the balls it took to bench Alex Ovechkin at the end of the third period on Tuesday night. And rightfully so. Everything worked out to perfection, both on the ice and off. Even Ovechkin himself had to concede that point.
It got me wondering what it would be like to have such a ballsy coach at the helm of some of the area’s other prominent teams. Could Coach Bruce bring structure to the disorderly Wizards? Could he instill some accountability in the Redskins?
If Bruce coached the Wizards . . .
For starters, Andray Blatche’s minutes would be cut in half. I doubt that would bother anyone too much. Even Seven Day Dray would concede that he could use the extra rest, and man, the cushions on those chairs are thick. Very supportive. Very comfy.
There would be increased accountability elsewhere, of course. Jordan Crawford could still dream of being better than Michael Jordan, but he’d have to do it without the green light to shoot 20 times a game he has enjoyed under Flip Saunders. On the other side of the court, JaVale McGee would probably be expected to play the kind of defense that doesn’t involve blocking every shot within 15 feet of him. Weird, right?
If Bruce coached Maryland football . . .
Sorry, Kevin Plank, but you can take that third alternate helmet and shove it someplace uncomfortable—at least until the team is playing well enough to warrant such ostentatious sartorial selections.
If Bruce coached Maryland basketball . . .
Let’s just say he wouldn’t allow a meddling athletic director to chase him away. Though, to be fair, he probably wouldn’t last for 15 seasons.
If Bruce coached the Redskins . . .
Current coach Mike Shanahan has had plenty of run-ins with star players. The difference is, his method of standing up to players usually involves showing them up. No forced conditioning drills for the disgruntled tackle or the public shaming of his quarterback for Bruce. Nothing but the cold reality of the bench for those who deserve it, and a straightforward explanation for the rest of us.
The biggest loser in this scenario would be Kyle Shanahan. Not only would he no longer be the coach’s son, he’d no longer be the guy calling the plays. Because Coach Bruce calls his own game.
After all that, maybe he could do something about that practice bubble everyone is waiting on.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Capitol Riot Suspect Arrested in DC Airport After Bizarre Series of Events
Biden Removes Trump’s Diet Coke Button—and Makes a Few Other Changes to the Oval Office
Why Were Last Night’s Inauguration Fireworks So Amazing?
Everything You Need to Know About the New First and Second Families
The Internet Is Freaking Out Over Bernie Sanders Social Distancing in His Mittens
Washingtonian Magazine
January 2021: Joe Town!
View IssueSubscribe
Get Us on Social
Get Us on Social
Related
Chad Dukes, Fired for “Racist” Comments, Announces New Show
Dwayne Haskins Apologizes for Partying Maskless
High-Contact Sports Now Prohibited in DC
Video From Fall Real Estate Market Update With Local Leaders
More from News & Politics
DC’s International Spy Museum Will Reopen This Weekend
Capitol Riot Suspect Arrested in DC Airport After Bizarre Series of Events
WAMU Dismisses Two People as Result of Investigation Into Workplace Culture
Anthony Fauci Sure Looks Happy in the Biden Administration
Maryland Congressman Andy Harris Tried to Bring a Gun Into the House Chamber
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Local Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Trivia?
Why Were Last Night’s Inauguration Fireworks So Amazing?
Biden Removes Trump’s Diet Coke Button—and Makes a Few Other Changes to the Oval Office