Gilbert Arenas’ witty comments — dubbed Gilbertology — have landed him in numerous publications, increased his popularity and cemented him as a personality.
Sunday, they only caused problems. And on Monday, the Wizards started to clean up the mess.
Following Sunday’s 94-73 loss to Portland, the Wizards star guard Sunday questioned the strategy being employed minus forward Antawn Jamison, saying there was too much focus on improving the defense rather than on simply outscoring teams as they’ve done all season. That led to a heated rebuke in the media from coach Eddie Jordan.
On Monday, the healing process began, with a meeting between Jordan and Arenas as well as a 30-minute players-only meeting before practice.
“Every team goes through this,” said reserve guard Antonio Daniels, a nine-year veteran. “It’s part of the NBA. But it’s not when it happens, it’s how you put it behind you. Some things that were said opened some eyes. [But] we are a team; that’s all that matters.”
Jordan and Arenas met yesterday and watched film, with the coach pointing out instances when open shots were missed by players filling in for Jamison. In other words, the offensive opportunities remain.
“The mood was good,” Jordan said. “We had a good film session and we’re back on the same page. … [But] I talked more offense than I did defense [Sunday]. I was just a little more impatient seeing people make mistakes over and over again.”
Arenas declined comment, but Jamison, the team’s captain, was not pleased with Sunday’s war of words. He spoke with Arenas about it later that night.
“He’s a little brother, you’ve got to spank him on the [rear] once in a while,” Jamison said. “I put him in the closet and whooped his [butt].
“He made some mistakes and he’s doing everything possible to patch things up. … He has to be more cautious and definitely choose what comes out of his mouth [better]. He realizes that. It’s unfortunate, but it happened.”
The players-only meeting was their first of the season; on Friday, centers Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas fought during practice.
“Whatever makes them happy,” Jordan said of the players-only meeting. “What was important was that Gil and I got together and things are very positive.”
Washington (28-21) has lost four of five since Jamison sprained his left knee.
“It’s time for guys to take that challenge,” Jamison said, “and continue to have the boat floating until I get back. It’s not sinking yet, but they’re throwing rocks on it. We have to have fun and right now we’re not having fun.”
Put backs
» The Wizards have not scored more than 83 points in the past two games. The team had scored at least 99 points in their previous 11. They’ve also allowed at least 108 points in four of the five games minus Antawn Jamison. They’ve allowed an opponent to shoot better than 50 percent in each of those games.
» Washington plays at Philadelphia on Wednesday night, before starting its All-Star break. The Wizards don’t play again until Feb. 20 against visiting Minnesota.
