Free-falling Wizards host Rockets tonight at Verizon
The Wizards will roll a wax figure of Gilbert Arenas onto the Verizon Center floor tonight when they host the Houston Rockets.
With the team at 1-8, the real thing can’t return soon enough.
“You ever seen that movie ‘Click,’ where you just fast-forward through time?” asked Arenas Thursday. “I wish I could just [do that] all the way until I could play.”
According to Arenas, the actual timeline for his return is between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15. He said, however, that he is anxious and if the playoffs began today he could be on the floor, but would probably be unable to play back-to-back games.
“I wish I could take that leg off and put it on mine,” said Arenas, gesturing toward the life-size wax figure, unveiled Thursday at Madame Tussauds, three blocks from the Verizon Center.
“We’re just playing a waiting game now,” said Arenas. “We’re trying to wait until Dec. 15. We wait until Jan. 1, everybody will be happy. The trainer said mid-December, I’d have no problems. They said Jan. 1, I’d be good to go 40 minutes. I was thinking after New Year’s, just give me time to get in shape.”
The Wizards, off to their worst start in 42 years, need his scoring, his passing, and his experience. But most of all, they need his finishing.
In Wednesday’s 91-87 loss at Atlanta, the Wizards led by four before being outscored 8-0 in the final minute. In three other losses, Washington held fourth quarter leads.
“Most teams at the end, they find a way to win. We’re finding ways to lose,” said Arenas. “We could easily be 5-3. Right now, we’re not.”
Wizards coach Eddie Jordan started JaVale McGee at center and Dee Brown at point guard Wednesday. It was the first career start in the NBA for both players. Despite the loss, Jordan liked what he saw.
“We stayed in the [first] quarter without falling behind, on the road,” said Jordan. “Dee was very good. I liked the way he pushed it. It was a good tempo, good pace, good ball movement, and just seemed like the other three guys — DeShawn, Antawn and Caron — liked that movement and rhythm.”
Up next
Rockets at Wizards
» C Yao Ming (foot) sat out Wednesday’s loss to Dallas and his status in uncertain for tonight. Houston (7-5) has been led by Ming (16.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg), G Tracy McGrady (15.9 ppg), and newly-acquired F Ron Artest (14.4 ppg). Wizards guard Antonio Daniels practiced Thursday and might start tonight.
