Scoping Gilbert?: Arenas, Wizards Hurting in D.C.

The Wizards are a disappointing 0-4 but Jordan Rose says wins and losses may be the least of the team's worries.

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November 09, 2007

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The Washington Wizards came into the 2007-2008 NBA season with guarded optimism.

Last year, a promising Wizards squad bowed out of the playoffs in the first round after suffering a rash of freak injuries late in the season. The '06-'07 Wizards owned the Eastern Conference's best record at the All-Star break.

The "guarded optimism" coming into '07-'08 hinged mostly on the presumed health of All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas, who tore a meniscus in his left knee in the final weeks of last season.

Now it looks like that optimism may have been a bit premature.

The Wizards are 0-4 after last night's 87-85 road loss to the New Jersey Nets—and Arenas, who played 42 minutes after having his knee drained of fluid on Wednesday, is reportedly talking about reducing his minutes and undergoing an MRI on Saturday.

Wizards fans can only cringe.

Suddenly the optimism has shifted to serious doubt in Washington, as the team remains winless and searching for answers. The Wizards' home game tonight against a struggling Denver team will be a chance to break out of the slump.

Washington got off to a quick 20-point lead on New Jersey, but failed to close the deal late in the game. Arenas, who thrives under last-second pressure, had his late bid to win the game blocked by Vince Carter.

Arenas seemed to be at 75 percent last night, showing flashes of quickness but failing to put together the sort of complete performance for which he was known before getting hurt.

While most sports fans in D.C. are rooting for a late-season playoff push from the Redskins, diehard Wizards supporters are concerned only about one man's left knee.

If Agent Zero has to shut it down for any length of time, it may be time to shut down the Wizards' playoff hopes in 2007-2008.

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comments (4) write a comment »

reply to comment by David
7 months ago

Unfortunately it appears that the Wizards are at the dreaded crossroads. Either you aspire to win it all or rebuild to win it all. Personally I think Gilbert will be fine. But the question still begs, do they have the parts to take them where they apire to go? Antawn and Gilbert could bolt in a hurry if the Wizards don't have success this year. Do they play for the now or for the future. I would like to see guys like Blatche, Mcguire, Young and Pecherov getting more minutes, rather than guys like Daniels, Mason & Songaila.
reply to comment by Erick
7 months ago

It would be nice if ANYBODY on the Wizards could defend. They face tough opponents to start the season hoping that their mindset of "lets run out and outscore everybody" is actually going to work. Next thing you know, they're getting blitzed.

Plus, I love how Arenas gets tripled teamed during their last play against New Jersey and decides to unleash a ridiculous fallaway. Arenas has always been selfish and egotistical. That play was the epitome of it.
reply to comment by Jordan
7 months ago

Arenas has backed it up though. Did you see him tie the game in Indiana with a deep three? He is one of the most clutch players in the game and he proved it several times last season. As for the Wizards defense, they did play some decent defense early on against the nets (holding them to 87 for the game is an achievement in itself for this team).

Being a life-long Wizards fan, I agree with David that this is a crossroads season. I hope we can turn it around.
reply to comment by David
7 months ago

Maybe it's time to shake things up. Blatche showed he has it what takes, albeit not consistently. But guess what, Haywood has been lousy the last two games. For some reason when you are young inconsistency is unacceptable, but when you are a vet it's ok. I would try bringing Butler off the bench as well as Stevenson. Start Nick Young and Dominic Mcguire. The Wizards need some firepower off the bench. Blatche needs more minutes, Songaila and Daniels need less. Playing Buter, Jamison and Arenas together for over 40 minutes won't cut it. They are 0-5, what have you got to lose, not quite time to panic, but definitely time to be concerned.

Dave