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

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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