How good is this man? I wonder.
How arrogant is this man? I also wonder.
How long will it last? More wonder.
Where did he come from? That, I know the answer to.
The great University of Arizona, and a second round draft pick no less. Now, he's not only averaging over 30 points per game, but he's single handedly winning games.
On the Arenas highlight list already this season.
- Scored more than 40 points, 7 times.
- Scored more than 50 points, 3 times.
- Season high 60 against the Lake Show.
- Two game winners, from so far away they would've counted as at least 5 pointers had NBA JAM rules been in effect.
Yet, the interesting part of all are the incredible accolades being thrown on Mr. Arenas season. NBA columnists, pundits, and the like all laying tons of praise on the man known as Agent 0.
The timing is most curious. People make it seem as if this guy literally started scoring this season. Not quite. Last season, only a point less per game (29.3), and over 25 the year before. The real story with Gilbert Arenas was his explosion into the league in his second full season, where he started every game and averaged just under 19 ppg. Stats aside, this guy didn't just start pouring in shots from everywhere yesterday.
Still, I'll say that while I enjoy his showmanship, desire to be the main man in the clutch, and ability to come through in the clutch, I wouldn't start my team with young Gilbert. Only two players average more shots taken per game, A.I. and 'Melo. Though, Mr. Arenas has played signifcantly more than both of those two. Not to mention, his propensity for turning the ball over and fairly low shooting clip (43%). I'm not saying he's not great. I'm just saying, let's hold off on the "best player in the universe" praise.
Some notes:
- As if Paul Pierce's prolonged injury wasn't enough, the Celts have been hit, in recent weeks with the loss of Tony Allen, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West. Add Theo Ratliff to make a starting 5 that many would've thought the C's could've began the season with. Now, they're all together again, on the IR.
- Relievers everywhere were jealous this week as Jeff Nelson was granted his long wish of being able to retire a Yankee. After the signing of a minor league contract with the Bombers, the long awaited return of one of the greats to the pinstripes is over. The man often confused for Norm Charlton finally can rest soundly as a Yankee.
- The latest lesson in "Don't Listen to What Athletes/Coaches Say" 101: Colt Brennan, QB of Hawaii fame has announced he is entering the NFL draft. This after he vowed to return to college football after leading Hawaii to an impressive bowl victory. While he still has the ability to return to college, who really thinks he will? Maybe Nick Saban does.
- Apparently, someone in the NFL brass thinks its a good idea to have a regular season game played in London next year. I can't even begin to go into how stupid this is. First of all, you aren't popularizing NFL football over there. To them, football is soccer. Second, teams complain about short weeks because of Thanksgiving, and having to go from Oakland to Cleveland. How does across the Atlantic sound? You can already hear the complaints filing in from teams who "couldn't get back on track".
- Fire Marty "Marge" Schottenheimer, immediately. Not that this last game was really his fault, but please, give someone else a chance. 5 and 13 in the playoffs, enough already. He wasn't his typical, overly aggressive run self, but still, let someone try to take this team to the next level, because the talent is certainly there.
- Am I the only one who thinks that the new coach of the Cardinals, Ken Whisenhunt, looks almost identical to Bill Cowher. Pittsburgh could've replaced Cowher with Whisenhunt, not told anyone he retired and never missed a beat. Just a thought.
