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I know people are saying jan, but its been three months since surgery. Any word on soonner rather than later for a return for a game???

I wouldn't expect anything before the All-Star game to be quite honest. He hasn't even been cleared for contact. Once that happens it'll be another couple weeks before he's cleared for full practices and then another week or two of real practice for him to get into some semblance of basketball shape.

But if you're in a deep fantasy league and can afford to have him take up a bench spot, I would say to pick him up. The team will be out of the playoff hunt and the only thing he'll have to play for is stats. He's going to be eager to prove that he's still "Agent Zero" or "Mr. Hibachi" or "The East Coast Assasin" or whatever name he'll pick for this year so you can count on him chucking like there's no tomorrow.

Good info. I cant get him too early, but dont want to be left out.

He could sit out until 2009/2010 season.

First thing I've read on it in awhile ...

They are only whispers but I'm hearing chatter that Gilbert Arenas and the team is seriously pondering whether to bring him back at all this season. He originally targeted Dec. 1 as a possible comeback date and certainly expected to be in uniform last night but remains on the shelf with not clear date in sight

Could just the beat writer just stirring up a little chatter, but many here have suspected something like this, and this is first time it's been suggested by a more official source.

Gil is DONE. Penny Hardaway/Grant Hill done.

ZonkertheBrainless wrote:Gil is DONE. Penny Hardaway/Grant Hill done.

Nah. More like: "The season is OVER. Oklahoma City Thunder over."

It looks to me like management has thrown in the towel on this season. We're not making the playoffs so why push Arenas? Arenas should be handled as if the only goal is to maximize his effectiveness next season. That means keep him on the sidelines until he is 100% healthy, not 95%. I think it would be best to get him onto the court by mid February or so. I'd like to see him play about 25-30 games this season to get his rhythm back and to learn the tendencies of his new teammates.

The best-case scenario would be to tank hard now and play the youngsters. Then bring back Arenas and Haywood in mid-February and try to build some momentum for next season. I'd like to see us win 10 out of our last 15 games to give everyone some optimism for next year. Guys will work harder in the offseason if they have reason to expect success next year.

from the interview last night during the game it seems like Gil thinks he's
ready to play as soon as they tell him.

I'm of 2 minds about this

I can certainly understand them wanting to be extremely cautious about a guy
they just signed to 111M.

OTOH - I paid good money to see the Wiz play THIS year. Getting to see Gil play
is a definite factor in deciding to be a plan holder.

I'm of the mindset for Arenas to take his time to comeback. Even if he helps the Wizards win a few games, it's very unlikely that it will amount to a playoff birth. I also believe that Eddie Tapscott will not be able to control Gilbert's minutes when he comes back. I also don't want the Wizards to go on a hot streak it could allow ET to stay on for another season.

I think the Wizards will have the assets to make a trade this offseason without changing their core too much.. At this rate, they'll have a top 4 pick and 3 expiring contracts (Thomas, James, and Pech) to make a deal for a major player.

Shut him down...

ZonkertheBrainless wrote:Gil is DONE. Penny Hardaway/Grant Hill done.

I felt this was a possibility before they gave him 111Mil over the next 6 years.

Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:

ZonkertheBrainless wrote:Gil is DONE. Penny Hardaway/Grant Hill done.

I felt this was a possibility before they gave him 111Mil over the next 6 years.

Sure it's a possibility. But it's also a possibility that he returns to form much like Amare Stoudemire did coming off knee surgery. I also think the Wizards will have an opportunity to move Gilbert Arenas even if his play never returns back to 100%.

Worst NBA contract of all-time..Why the Wiz and warriors wanted a gimp at a 100 million + ? I don't know..It makes zero sense..The guy was already having year's of difficulty with that knee.

The only goal this team has for this year is being worse than the Oklahoma City Thunder. Arenas returning does not help us achieve that.

This draft isnt worth losing games over...Finishing with the worst record only gives you a slim chance at the #1 pick..Which will be Griffen..A good prospect..But not a franchise maker.

the problem is, if we're not playing arenas now or in the immediate future because we have essentially given up on the season, WHY ARE WE STILL PLAYING VETERANS? i'm not even mad about caron and jamison getting 40 minutes a game. i'm talking about songaila, james, and stevenson primarily. it looks like we've taken etan out of the equation, which is a great first step. now let's complete the process by letting Young and McGee get at least 20 minutes a night consistently! okay, so james has been good for us. songaila's a solid vet. stevenson - who knows, maybe he finds his stroke. GREAT! We seem to be under the impression that we're playing these guys so that they can increase their trade value, but come on, have the years of following hte wizards taught you guys anything? The odds that we trade any of these guys before the trade deadline are slim to none in my opinion. That's just not how the wizards operate.

I don't mind playing James at all because he's at least a good NBA player who is raising his trade value game after game. Its playing D-Suckashawn so much that bothers me.

I'm with Jim - fans are paying real money to see real games, not ping pong balls.

If Arenas is really injured, by all means don't rush him back - but if he is really injured then I start to favor the definition of "Penny Hardaway Done".

Ernie says Gilbert is "close" to coming back according to the WaTimes.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/200 ... celebrate/

The possibility of him sitting out if he CAN play, no matter what the record, doesn't make sense to me. They need to know what % of the pre-injury Gilbert they are getting in order to decide how to build the team going forward.

so, am I the only one who is convinced Gilbert will come back January 4th when the Cavs come to DC? I mean come on, it's gilbert. reports out that he's almost ready to come back, he says he's been ready to play all along, and its the CAVS... IN DC! i'll be in attendance and i will actually be surprised if gil is not on the court.