Gilbert Arenas impact? Is he Overated

[B-Scott]

The last 2 seasons

2005/2006- 45-37

2006/2007 - 42-40

This season - 34-33

Keep in mind Caron Butler missed almost 2 months. They easily could have matched or had a better record (Without Arenas) then when they had him the last 2 seasons.

I know he is a exciting player,but he also has long stretches where he can hurt the team and shoot 35% from the field over a 10 game stretch.

Replace him with just a good PG likie Devin Harris who is not as good a scorer,but better 1 on 1 defender and there record might be better.

[Kobay]

the east is weaker this season.

[Teddy KGB]

ur crazy. caron broke out in a big way this season, that's why they're as good as they are. if caron was playing like he did last year they would be near the bottom of the league.

Arenas is definitely THE most crucial cog in that Wiz team

[dockingsched]

gilbert arenas was not 42-40 last year. the wiz lost 7 of 9 to end the season without him last yr.

[B-Scott]

Actually i was wrong

2006/2007 - 41-41 and he played 74 games

2005/2006 - 42-40 he played 80 games

Are they that much worse without him

[miller31time]

Our record this year (for the millionth time) is a direct result of a few things...

1. First and foremost, hiring Randy Ayers (former head coach and current defensive specialist assistant coach). He has transformed our defense from one of the most embarrassing displays of incompetence to something that's actually passable for an NBA defense.

2. More PT for one of our most effective players and best defender, Brendan Haywood. He, consistently, year after year, helps the Wizards win. He is both an efficient scorer and a top-5 (IMO) post defender in this league. Hell, today, he held Dwight Howard to his lowest point total of the season while Howard proceeded to turn the ball over numerous times, commit 5 fouls and really have a tough time with Brendan. This is all thanks to Etan Thomas being out for the season. Etan, while a serviceable big man, is nowhere near the caliber of player Haywood is, so with Etan out, that means more minutes and most importantly, crunch time minutes for Mr. Haywood.

3. Improved bench play. It may not show up in the stat-sheet, but our bench is quite good. Granted some of our actual bench are forced to start because of the injuries, but Antonio Daniels, Nick Young, Roger Mason Jr., Dominic McGuire, Darius Songaila and most importantly, Andray Blatche -- is a solid bench. Something we were really missing last year and in previous years.

4. The improved play of Andray Blatche. He has matured a lot in one season, and has been showing the Wizards why they chose him a few years ago. He's a good scorer, decent defender, killer rebounder and excellent shotblocker. He adds to the aforementioned depth.

5. Improved play from Butler. I know what you're all thinking - the reason Butler is better is because Arenas is out. NO! The reason Butler is better is because that's what he does each and every season - he improves. This off-season he added the 3pt shot to his game and refined his mid-range jumper, while improving his already stellar free throw %. His efficiency is up not because of more touches (actually, it's basically the same as last season WITH Arenas), but because he's hitting a higher portion of the shots he's taking.

All of these factors have nothing to do with Arenas being with the team or not. They're interdependent, and the reasons why we are able to stay afloat. WITH Arenas, we're projected to be a 50-win team in the East, among squads like Cleveland and Orlando.

[Bucky O'Hare]

ur crazy. caron broke out in a big way this season, that's why they're as good as they are. if caron was playing like he did last year they would be near the bottom of the league.

Arenas is definitely THE most crucial cog in that Wiz team

Of course Butler broke out this season, he didn't have to play beside a black hole of a point guard jacking up shot after shot with a miserable fg%.

Arenas is the epitome of being a stat whore. The most self-centered player in the league, and it's not even close.

[BrooklynBulls]

Actually i was wrong

2006/2007 - 41-41 and he played 74 games

2005/2006 - 42-40 he played 80 games

Are they that much worse without him

If I was really honest, I'd say that the team doesn't really fit him. He's an offensive machine, so he really just needs to be put with a good 2nd option who's a good to great defender at the swing, and then surrounded by defensive and rebounding roleplayers.

Washington has a lot more offensive talent than they need with Arenas on the team.

I'm not a Gilbert fan, but he's a very good player, bottom line. He CAN shoot a team out of a game, but absolutely any perimeter star can. That's really the reason low-post scorers are important. They're consistently high volume and efficient. Arenas is either/or, neither or both, all in different proportions.

With Haywood's emergence, Blatche's improvement, and Jamison giving a damn about D, Arenas would be in an environment much more conducive to his style of play (I still wish he'd defend some).

So yeah, they'd be "that much better" with Arenas.

[Teddy KGB]

-= original quote snipped =-



Of course Butler broke out this season, he didn't have to play beside a black hole of a point guard jacking up shot after shot with a miserable fg%.

Arenas is the epitome of being a stat whore. The most self-centered player in the league, and it's not even close.

If he was such a selfish stat whore then I'm pretty sure that we would hear his teammates complain about him, but on the contrary everyone on this Wiz loves him and loves playing next to him

[Harm14]

He's good in the clutch. With the way Caron has developed, there's no question he'll make a big impact when he returns.

[Ian4]

I don't care i hate his guts he talks so much smack.I hope he breaks both knees.

[L&H_05]

All I know is; Agent0 needs to sign a 1 year deal with the Cavs, and just roll with THE KING... That would be fun...

[miller31time]

I don't care i hate his guts he talks so much smack.I hope he breaks both knees.

Attaboy. Stay classy.

[Texas Longhorns]

His impact isn't overrated. However, I think that his impact to the Wizards cannot be determined until we see him with one other star. Three stars on a team is harder to figure out how much he is meant to the team. His value of impact goes down as there are more stars, so I personally don't think it's overrated. I think it's fine where it's at.

[spudwebb]

All I know is; Agent0 needs to sign a 1 year deal with the Cavs, and just roll with THE KING... That would be fun...

Arenas is a chuckster extradonairre. How would he coexist with Lebron who has the balls in his hands every possession?

[NO-KG-AI]

How can you be overrated when everyone thinks you are a chucker/team cancer etc??

This is ridiculous.

[5DOM]

It's all Dave Hopla

[TooNice00]

arenas is okay. his impact is overrated. whether they have him in the playoffs or not will not change their outcome. he is a chucker who will take shots away from the more efficient butler and jamison. and throw in the fact he doesn't play defense he is pretty useless if his shots are not falling. he kind single handly take over a game but he can also single handly lose a game.

[Uncooked]

All I know is; Agent0 needs to sign a 1 year deal with the Cavs, and just roll with THE KING... That would be fun...

Do not want.

[Wizards2Lottery]

arenas is okay. his impact is overrated. whether they have him in the playoffs or not will not change their outcome.

So you're saying he won't be an improvement over Antonio Daniels?

Man you crazy. You should watch some Wizards games and notice how dreadful our offense gets sometimes. It makes life hell for AJ and Butler when the teams don't use there best perimeter defenders on Gilbert.

Gilbert in the game = mismatches for Stevenson, Butler and Jamison.

AD in game = doubles teams for both our all stars since AD has no range on his jumper.