For one more time this season, Gilbert Arenas improved his standing in the NBA.
Arenas was named to the All-NBA Second Team. He had been on the third team the previous two years. Earlier this season, Arenas earned a starting berth in the All-Star Game after making it as a reserve the previous two seasons.
“Twenty-four players get picked for the All-Star Game, and that’s a great honor, but even fewer get picked for this, so it’s a real accomplishment,” Arenas said, “and a lot of the credit has to go to my teammates.”
Arenas is joined on the second team by Cleveland’s LeBron James, Toronto’s Chris Bosh and Houston’s Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. The first team consisted of Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan,the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Phoenix’s Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire.
Arenas averaged 28.4 points per game, third best in the NBA. He scored at least 40 points nine times and 50 points three times, including a 60-point effort.
Arenas, who missed the final eight regular-season games because of a knee injury, finished first in three-point field goals made (205), was second in free throws made (606) and seventh in steals per game (1.88).
“Gilbert had a great year and displayed some tremendous individual performances throughout the season,” said Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan. “He made a number of memorable plays that led us to victory, and this honor is a reflection of his hard work and determination to be the very best.”
Arenas and Elvin Hayes are the only two players in franchise history to be named to an All-NBA Team three straight years.
Arenas, recovering from surgery, said he hopes to start walking on a treadmill next week.
“I’m ahead of my rehab schedule,” Arenas said, “now I have to get my leg stronger. I got the hardest part out of the way. … [But] it’s been hard because I just want to hurry up and get back on the court.”
Arenas is the first Wizard to be named to the second team since Rod Strickland after the 1997-98 season.
