Zero to the rescue?

The drama, or at least the wait, is over; Gilbert Arenas has returned.

And that gives Washington a chance, in the long-term, to succeed. In the short-term, it means a transition period, particularly on defense (where they’ve excelled) and at the end of games (where he does).

Here’s how one Eastern Conference coach assesses the situation:

Defense »

Short term: Because he’s coming off the bench, for now, the minutes he’s taking will be those of rookie Nick Young and Roger Mason. Neither of whom is known for their defense. Wednesday, Milwaukee guard Ramon Sessions, who hit the game-winner over Arenas, and scored against him two other times.

“It was the same old Gil,’’ the coach said, ‘’[but] you’re not out anything.”

Long term: The Wizards have played good defense. Arenas, to be blunt, does not.

“Defense has to be a priority to him,” the coach said. “There’s no question they’re better defensively this year. Whether or not it’s because he was sitting out, I don’t know. But we have to cut him some slack; it was his first game back.”

End of games »

Short term: Caron Butler, aside from the 21 games he’s missed, is the Wizards’ tone-setter. He and Antawn Jamison have been the key players late in games. Wednesday night, they combined for three — three! — shots in the fourth quarter and one in the last five minutes”

“Everyone knows Gil takes the big shot,” the coach said.

Long term: It won’t matter. Butler and Jamison are used to playing with Arenas and they can defer much easier than he could.

“There’s no better competitor than Caron,” the coach said, “and Antawn is one of the classiest pros. They know they need Gilbert to win. You have to have three players who are in the top five or 10 at their position to win … [With Arenas], they have a chance to win a few playoff series.”

Different headaches always will require different solutions

Since entering the NFL, Chris Henry found himself in jail more times (four) than in the Pro Bowl (none). In a league in which bad behavior isn’t alwaysa death sentence, that stat proved too much to overlook.

Not that the Cincinnati Bengals receiving headaches are cured now that they’ve released their troubled wideout. Or did you miss Chad Johnson — for the 1,433rd time — rail against his team yesterday? Same complaints. Next thing you know, he’ll don a jersey that says He Trade Me on the back.

But, unlike Henry, he’s not going anywhere. The Bengals couldn’t count on Henry; they can count on Johnson. So, for the umpteenth time — and to the displeasure of Redskins fans, who want to trade for him, and Ravens fans, who’d love him out of the division — Johnson won’t be traded.

The Bengals, say those close to the team, know that despite Johnson’s rants, he is a major competitor who won’t sit out the season and who loves to play. When the season begins, he’ll produce as always.

Of course, they also knew Henry was a potential off-field problem when they drafted him. Turns out they were right. They’ll also be right about Johnson.

Johnson looking good

As he raced in from center field on Opening Day, a trimmer Nick Johnson thought about the past year, reflectingon a leg injury that left him sidelined for a season. As he raced around the bases later that night — sliding safely into second and then home — he thought of nothing but the next stop.

“I play the game the right way and I know my leg is good and I just go,” he said. “If it snaps so be it, but I have to play one way.”

Johnson, hitting .333 through three games, says he doesn’t feel like a different player. Just a lighter one. He dropped 25 pounds in the offseason, though said he’s regained some of that weight.

“I got the hardware out of there,” he said.

Naturally, he must have felt faster flying around the bases.

“No,” he said. “That’s all I’ve got.”

In case you missed it

Kevin Garnett nearly got into a fight in Chicago Tuesday night … with the mascot. During a late time out, Garnett was hit in the back by a T-shirt, launched by, he thought, Benny the Bull. Garnett had words with the mascot, who wisely kept his distance. But there’s a twist. A Bulls spokesman told the Boston Globe that, after viewing video, a member of the Bulls’ promotional team fell while firing the T-shirt launcher, hitting Garnett.

On the record

“His mandate is clear — do whatever is necessary to turn this team around.”

— New York Knicks owner James Dolan said of new team president Donnie Walsh, who could fire his predecessor and current coach, Isiah Thomas.

“I gave my heart and soul for 15 years. I loved that place. I always will love that place. People pass me in the airport and say, ‘Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk,’ and I say, ‘Go, KU.’”

— North Carolina coach Roy Williams discussing his affection for his former team, and Saturday’s opponent.

Top 10 …

1. River Walk is no Venice Beach, dude.

— Kevin Love (UCLA)

2. Haven’t seen Eva Longoria yet.

— Brandon Rush (Kansas)

3. No Piggly Wiggly stores.

— Tyler Hansbrough (UNC)

4. Alamo not nearly as cool as Graceland.

— Derrick Rose (Memphis)

5. Everyone reminds me of John Chaney

— John Calipari (Memphis)