…but let’s try to keep the discussion within reasonable limits.
You’ve seen the comments from Gilbert Arenas on NBA.com and The Washington Post after last night’s 97-94 win over Dallas.
My take: Arenas is trying as hard as he can to play the good soldier, and he did a great job against Dallas last night. He recognizes where he fits into the Wizards plan going forward, and he’s prepared to play the role off the court as John Wall‘s mentor and on the court as the reliable outside shooting off-guard. A subtle, controlled Arenas is what the Wizards want. It actually may be his best position, too, one that gives Washington a fantastic chance to build a foundation for success moving forward. Like many aspects of the Wizards performance last night, there’s something appealing about the way the game unfolded and the promise it showed for this season and beyond. Of course, it was also the first game of the preseason.
The problem is, it’s a little too easy for Arenas to slip from “good soldier” to “tired, old, headed for retirement soldier.” Whether he really feels that every night of the season remains to be seen. It’s hard to pronounce one’s future with the team over before the season has even started. Regardless of what has happened between Arenas and the Wizards, it’s going to take a lot of effort for Arenas to keep from actually enjoying playing basketball. It’s what he does.
Last season Arenas tried to shut down his relationship with the media and his enjoyment of the game – and all that comes with it – and it really didn’t work. Now, the situation on the court at the time was hardly encouraging before the locker room gun incident that sunk the season, but Arenas was still himself up to that point, even if his interaction with the media was limited.
If last night was any sort of predictor – and from the very beginning of training camp, the locker room dynamic of this team appears to be totally different from what it was last year – there will be some good times ahead, even if the Wizards still lose games. If Arenas wants prevent himself from enjoying this season, that’s up to him. But just as he showed when Lester Hudson knocked down the game-winning 3-pointer, it’s impossible to maintain a straight face when your teammates are all smiling.
