The biggest question facing the Washington Wizards (2-7) isn’t how they’ve lost six straight games. It’s who the heck is Gilbert Arenas going to be this season? He had his first double-double (19 points, 10 assists) of the year in Saturday’s 106-103 loss to Detroit but never seemed comfortable. Not every quarter he plays seems to add up to 25 cents:
First quarter
After proclaiming prior to the game that Agent Zero had returned, Arenas missed his first six shots, most notably an off-balance heave over multiple collapsing defenders at the first-quarter buzzer that took the shine off four assists.
Final line » 0 points (0-for-6), 4 assists, 2 rebounds
Actual value » Maybe a dime, only because we’ll add a nickel for the assists.
Second, third quarters
After two jumpers in a row, Arenas starts warming his hands — signs of the hibachi? — and then he line drives a three from 33 feet, leaving him bouncing with attitude at the halftime buzzer. After the break, Arenas sets the tone, with a runner right out of the gate and two huge threes a short time later. He orchestrates the break with both long and short passes, and picks his spots as the Wizards turn an eight-point halftime deficit into a lead of as much as 10.
Final line » 15 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Actual value » We’ll buy that for a dollar.
Fourth quarter
Arenas manages just three shots — his only make is a meaningless three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining — completing his disappearance as both a scorer and facilitator.
Final line » 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block
Actual value » Retracting the previous offer. No more than two cents for this finish.
“I don’t know if I’m just sitting out there watching,” said Arenas. “There’s always a half or a quarter where I don’t shoot or I don’t score … Me sitting, not shooting for a whole quarter doesn’t really bother because we have other players that are scoring. But then when I try to get into that rhythm, I don’t have that feel so I have to try and find a way to keep myself in the game the whole time.”
With the Wizards sinking fast, that’s far too much volatile currency fluctuation for a guy whose contract is valued at $111 million.
