Thursday Roundup: Wizards Lose Economic Gamble Concerning Arenas

To most Americans, the country's financial problems originate from Washington D.C. 

The nation's capital also takes the NBA spotlight for economic blunders.

In last night's 105-90 drubbing to the Orlando Magic, the Wizards put on a fine exhibition of what $161 million of summer spending (the combined worth of Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison's extensions) has bought them:

1. A team of incomplete, perimeter-oriented players in Jamison, Caron Butler, Nick Young, and company.  When they're hitting, they're decent.  Decent has gotten them as far as the first round of the playoffs.
2. A complete lack of quality interior personnel.  Dwight Howard dominated the Wizards' frontline for 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks.  Washington's center-by-committee of Javale McGee, Andray Blatche, and Etan Thomas combined for 6-of-16 shooting, 18 rebounds, and 14 fouls. 
3. A 2-11 record that ties the mark for the worst start in franchise history. That's worse than the current records of New York, Minnesota, Memphis, and Sacramento.

Again, those are the dividends for $161 million invested into the Wizards this summer. 

Arenas obviously makes up the bulk of that dubious venture, which was risky to begin with thanks to his knee issues before this summer.  General manager Ernie Grunfeld's reward for faith in his franchise player?  An even longer stint on the injured list.

Frustrating for many is the fact that Arenas' promises of a healthy return have been matched only by repeated visits back to the operating table.  It's doubtful whether he'll ever return as the feared Agent Zero that made Washington a threat to beat any team on any given night.

It's especially bitter for Wizards' faithful to swallow as they watch teams with lesser talent on paper (the Knicks) win more and, at the same time, have the ability to improve via free agency in the future. 

Thanks to Arenas and Jamison's contracts, Washington has no hope of become relevant unless a) Arenas does in fact come back healthy or b) they get a stud in the lottery.

That's a pretty big gamble for $161 million.

Other Notes:

• Caron Butler's night was symbolic of his efforts for Washington over the last season and a half.  His individually stellar 25 points and six assists were enough to keep the Wizards within reach, but not nearly enough to win. 
• J.J. Redick gave his fans an insight as to why he's been riding the pine for most of his professional career: 1-for-6 from three-point range and five turnovers on a night in which he actually got decent playing time.
• The Wizards' McGee attempted to force the issue offensively against Dwight Howard at the beginning of the first and third quarters. The result: a shot that hit nothing but backboard, an airball, a blocked shot, and a traveling violation.  Washington interim coach Ed Tapscott promptly chewed him out afterwards.
• The Hornets stole a 105-101 win in Denver last night.  After a quiet first half, Chris Paul erupted for 20 second-half points, finishing with 22 points, 10 assists and three steals.  It was Denver's moronic decision to leave James Posey (Robert Horry v.2.0) open for a three-pointer that gave the Hornets a three-point lead and, in essence, the win.
• Not only were the Hornets without starters Tyson Chandler and Morris Peterson, but David West played an extremely sub-standard game (6-for-16 shooting for 15 points and eight rebounds).  Nuggets' coach George Karl was probably thinking to himself after the game, "If only we could've locked down Rasual Butler (7-for-8 from the field, 19 points)."  How many times has that ever happened?
• J.R. Smith was the man for Denver, lighting it up for 32 points that came from both the three-point line and the highlight reel.  If his rumored "attitude problem" ever gets straightened out, there's no reason he shouldn't be an All-Star.