Despite his offseason offer to take a pay cut to allow for Antawn Jamison to resign with the Wizards, it is his otherwise audacious and flamboyant behavior that grates on me a little bit. 

His shot selection has never been particularly judicious, and I always feel like he is one season away from getting called for palming, walking and/or charging on every other offensive possession. 

He sometimes appears unwilling to give up the rock when he probably should, and this may have stymied the Wizards in their past few chances at the playoffs.  Engaging in ego-driven games of one-on-one does not seem to work very well in the NBA over long stretches of games. 

That said, Arenas is a terrific athlete and amazing scorer.  He doesn’t seem to have any problems with confidence or physical ability.  He is entering his prime, and assuming his body holds up, this season could be his best yet. 

The contract cut shows a bit of maturity, and perhaps this is about the time that he eliminates the me-first from his game.  If I were picking him up, I would simply have to hope I could get other big time players who would command the ball from Gilbert, rather than just hope for it.

6. Baron Davis 6’3” Age: 29

Baron Davis loses major marks for age.  His knees (sadly) have given him trouble.  His back and most other parts of his body are also seemingly in continual disrepair. 

However, after all the injuries, he goes out and gets NBATV’s second best playoff dunk of all time (against Andrei Kirilenko.  In case you haven’t seen it, there are about 400 versions of it on youtube). Seeing this kind of thing harkens me back to the days of true OGs. 

Does Davis have another three years as an elite point guard?  Four?  It is hard to say, but he is definitely one of the best in the league as of right now.

7. Rodney Stuckey 6’5” Age: 22

Stuckey is already known as a player who can drive into the lane and finish with authority.  Like Rajon Rondo, his outside shot is his main question mark. 

If he can develop into a consistent threat from the three-point line, opposing guards will have to stop defending him so loosely. 

He is expected to make major leaps and bounds this year, but if Billups returns to the starting lineup (which appears likely) he’ll be fighting an uphill battle for playing time.

8. Louis Williams 6’2” Age: 21

Williams is so young, it is sort of expected for him to struggle with his shot.  He is following an excellent path to development, though, being given major minutes as a rookie on an overachieving team. 

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