Wizards stick to tradition during NBA conference finals

Photo by Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Could Turkish big man Alperen Sengun be available when the Wizards pick at 15?The NBA’s conference finals are well under way, which means the Wizards are engaged in their most cherished traditions: searching for a new coach and evaluating draft prospects.

While many have sought to bring a level of science to each of these pursuits, there are always factors beyond the scope of analysis. My bright idea over the years was to hire someone with a winning history in the minor leagues. A number of winning coaches, including Phil Jackson, had this profile.

But, so did Dave Joerger, whose personality alienated players, coaches, executives and…