On Gilbert Arenas

After back to back losses to the Thunder and Spurs, the Wizards have been getting pretty frustrated. No one, apparently, more-so than Gilbert Arenas. He spoke to reporters regarding the state of the Wizards. Here's a bit of what he said:

"Everybody needs to get on the same level, that's all. Everyone's got their own individual goals, I guess. Hidden agendas. You can't win like that... I've never been on a team where you have eight free agents next year. I've never played on a team like that. I've never seen it turn out well. Sometimes it works out for the best because everybody's hungry and everybody's fighting. Sometimes it works out for the worst when everybody's out for their own." [Emphasis Added]


Here's a list of the Wizards' free agents after this year. Which of these men is "out for their own?":
Brendan Haywood
Mike Miller
Fabricio Oberto
Randy Foye
Dominic McGuire
Mike James
Javaris Crittendon
Earl Boykins

Has Gil been paying attention? As The Washington Post's Ivan Carter said, "Haywood is the only free agent who has played every game this season, but it's not like rebounding and blocking shots is a disruption." Everyone else has been inactive, either with injuries or DNP-CDs. With a little help from BBR, here's a comparison of Agent Zero and the Agenda'd Eight:

Player	G	GS	MP	FGA	FG%	3PA	3P%	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS	ATR
Gilbert Arenas	12	12	437	231	0.39	62	0.371	91	0.736	48	75	16	1	48	32	270	1.56
8 Free Agents	8.29	4.29	178.57	318	0.47	52	0.44	108	0.78	35.71	90	3.43	4.43	68	17.71	57.57	1.32
	average	average	average	sum	%	sum	%	sum	%	average	sum	average	average	sum	average	average	average

You can see that the 8 guys that are apparently "out for theirs" are starting less frequently, shooting less often, and more efficient than Arenas. Take from his remarks what you will, but having watched and attending several Wizards games this season, Gilbert's own head is getting in the way of his success, not anyone else's shots.

The Washington Times has reported more unrest in the Wizards' camp, with some pretty palpable locker room divisions. There were some rumors last week about divisions between Caron Butler and Arenas, and interviews with reporters today seem to have reiterated that tension.

Personally, I think if the Wizards have to go in a certain direction, Arenas should be jettisoned from the team in favor of Butler. But obviously, since Gil has ordained himself the face of the franchise and the most popular athlete in DC (an assertion which Alex Ovechkin may contend) and his contract is virtually untradeable, Wizards fans shouldn't be surprised to see Butler get traded before the end of the year. Maybe tacked onto a few of those selfish expiring contracts, too.

AZV32ron Out!

UPDATE: Truth About It has a great take on this episode. He was able to ask Arenas some questions during press time today, specifically about the 14/15 people who get along on the team. Great stuff.