Will Pollin's Pep Talk Help the Wizards?

Wizards owner Abe Pollin, 84 years old and suffering from a debilitating disease, offered his team some motivation yesterday in preparation for Game 5.

Only the Wizards know for sure what Pollin said, but let's just assume it was something a bit more inspiring than this:

YLordY: COME ON, YOU NO-ACCOUNT, OVER-PAID, UNDER-ACHIEVING INDIVIDUALISTS! WAKE UP AND WIN FOR MR. POLLIN!!!!!

Will the pep talk help? We'll have to wait and see, but here's what readers are thinking:

ddraper81: Thanks you Mr. Pollin for all that you have done for Washington DC. I wish you and your family well. Yet, with all due respect. I doubt these guys have the physical, spiritual, and mental fortitude to grant your request.

cmalik: If Abe has to make this speech to put the Wizards over the edge and get a win in Cleveland, what does this say about the character and professionalism of the team? I have a simpler solution...bench Arenas.

Really? Still? I thought we were done with the "Gilbert Arenas isn't good at basketball anymore" phase.

cbmuzik: Man, it makes you really wonder what motivates out Wizmen to get out there and play hard every night...albiet Gilbert and Caron are both slowed by injuries or this series would have WAY been over...but let's hope this is a good motivational factor in there taking one from Cleveland and helping us regain momentum in this series.

Man, this is getting depressing. Thank goodness for Kathy:

kathywargo: Mike, I would like to thank you for this beautiful column about Mr Pollin. He demonstrates on a daily basis what one person can do when he is passionate about something. I am sure he and I will look forward to seeing the Wiz play on Friday Nite. Thank you for putting things in perspective. - Kathy (section 106 Row B)

Somebody should go find Kathy on Friday (maybe) and give her a high five.

jeff19: We just need to ride this day out and hope for the best. Really, I think these guys could have won tonight without Mr. Pollin's appeal, they do have it in them, but the extra inspiration from their classy owner can't hurt. Go Wiz.

impeachemall: DC has both the most, and the least classy of sports franchise owners. I'll give you one guess as to who is the latter.

Finally, another franchise owner (who I think it's safe to assume is not "the latter" impeach refers to) puts in his two cents.

But now that we're on the topic of team owners, what do you think?

By Lindsay Applebaum |  April 30, 2008; 2:54 PM ET  | Category:  Wizards
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