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Trouble in D.C.
The Washington Wizards were expected to be a much better team than last year, but the year has thus far been nothing but a disappointment. With the hiring of Flip Saunders as the new head coach, and Gilbert Arenas returning from injury, expectations automatically grew from within the organization but also from the fans. Standing at a record of only 3 wins and 9 losses, the first fingers are already being pointed.
When asked about the team’s struggles, Gilbert Arenas explained how some players are failing to make the sacrifices that he has made for the team and that certain guys are just unwilling to adapt. “I think the only person who actually had to sacrifice was me. Everybody else can just play their game”, Arenas said. The Wizards offense of old was certainly much different. Players had all the freedom in the world, and every offensive play was basically an isolation. Saunders does not allow as much of one-on-one play, which Arenas obviously does not like. However, when one looks at Gil’s statistics, it becomes evident that this so-called sacrifice of his is not as big as he makes it out to be. Arenas averaged 20.9 field goal attempts per game during the Eddie Jordan era. His “sacrifice” in shots per game is 1.6, as Agent Zero is averaging 19.3 field goal attempts during the current season. So maybe Arenas should take that pointing finger of his and turn it into his own direction.
Arenas was very blunt about the team’s struggles as he talked about individual players and who is doing what wrong. This basically came down to one player: Caron Butler. Arenas believes that Butler is slowing down the offense because he is not taking the shots that he should take and because Butler is a player who needs isolation plays in order to be effective. Such statements coming from Gilbert Arenas, one of the, if not THE most ball-dominating player in the league, is really quite hilarious to me. His talent is unique, there is no argument about that. However, the same is said of Allen Iverson and he is currently without a job because of his inability to adapt and sacrifice. Arenas is a very similar player to Iverson in that regard. He too needs the ball in his hands at all times and is unable to be effective otherwise. Or at least unwilling to even try. “It is very hard to win with a guy who dominates the basketball so much”, a GM said of Arenas.
Arenas even went as far as to exclude Caron Butler when asked which players were responsible for resolving such matters. “Me and Antawn [Jamison]. That’s our jobs [as captains].” Of course, Caron Butler is one of the three captains with Jamison and Arenas. Never ever have I heard Caron Butler being called anything close to a selfish player, but Arenas of all people seems to think differently. One has to wonder what his definition of a selfish player even is. When being called out by reporters on these strange complaints and claims, Arenas explained that he simply needs Butler to hesitate and dribble less when he gives him the ball. “I just want him to shoot when I pass it to him”, Arenas said.
Arenas and Butler met behind closed doors on Monday, and their feud was resolved, both players stated. My feeling tells me we won’t have to wait long to hear from Agent Zero again on this particular matter.
