Is Gilbert Arenas Being Targeted By NBA Referees?

He seems to think so. And has no problem disclosing as much to the media.

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“They made this new rule, I don’t know what it is … it’s frustrating this season. I used to average about 11 or 12 free-throws a game*, now I can’t even get a call. I feel like they’re profiling me as a player.

I’m creating all the contact, and I’m saying that’s what a scorer is supposed to do, they’re supposed to create the contact when they get into the lane. It’s not double-jeopardy, but if they’re outside the lane, it’s a charge. Now if they’re inside the lane and I get into them, it’s a no call…

If two refs say it, that’s fine. But if every ref says it to me, that means before the game you’re consciously thinking, ‘When he goes to the lane, we can’t call it because they’re jumping straight up.’”

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Has anyone else noticed that Arenas pontificates about his stats a LOT lately? This is at least the second or third time this season where a frustrated Gil has gone to the stat sheets to explain or deflect his shortcomings in the Wizards’ new offense.

A whole lot of “I’m capable of X amount of points, I feel like I could take X amount of shots,” and now it’s how many free throws he should earn.

I don’t think the league has any incentive in Gilbert Arenas having a dip in his scoring average. I’m sure the NBA would embrace the star in one of its darkest basketball locales lighting back up in time for the after-Christmas, pre-All-Star break focus on pro basketball to keep up with the NFL Playoffs and pending Super Bowl.

The Truth put it best :

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From where I sit, Arenas needs to stop worrying about the refs (at least not more than the standard in-game politicking). Warranted or not, he can’t use a lack of calls as a lingering reason in the back of his head to why some things might not be working. Keep attacking the basket, but do it with scoring in mind, not trying to draw a foul while throwing up whatever attempt that can be mustered.

 

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