Gilbert Arenas sits out scrimmages, because of a bad finger (officially at least)

by Mike Prada on Oct 1, 2009 5:37 PM EDT in Injuries

UPDATE: The Wizards just said the injury is a "dislocated middle finger."

RICHMOND -- For the second straight day, Gilbert Arenas did not participate in any of the Wizards' training camp scrimmages, though he did partake in all the drills beforehand.

The official reason is because of a jammed/dislocated left middle finger that swelled enough to hold him out. Flip Saunders said Arenas suffered the injury "about two, three weeks ago" and got hit again yesterday on the finger, which caused the swelling. However, Saunders said the injury wasn't serious and holding Arenas out was more for precautionary reasons.

"If we had a game, he'd play," Saunders said. "There's no need to force that issue."

Arenas was indeed seen getting taped up on the sidelines while the scrimmage was going on, so yes, he does have a finger injury. That much is certainly true, and the Wizards are supposed to send an update officially classifying the injury.

Howeva...

After the scrimmage was over, the players each shot free throws to determine how many sprints they'd have to do. Despite making both of his shots -- meaning he didn't have to sprint -- Arenas did do some jogging while the others were sprinting full-on. It definitely appeared like he was running a bit gingerly on his left knee, the same one on which he had all the surgeries.

When asked about whether Arenas had any knee soreness, Saunders quickly said Arenas' knee was fine.

"No, no, no," Saunders said. "Everything else is fine. He ran sprints at the end, so he's had no problems [with the knee]."

Arenas himself declined to comment, telling Mike Jones that "I'm not talking. I'll see you guys media day of next year."

Now, before everyone goes crazy, this is probably nothing. None of Michael Lee, Jones and I noticed Gil putting any ice on his knee, and Arenas was bouncing around a bit while he was engaging in a post-practice shooting contest with Randy Foye. (In case you want to know who won, Foye said he wouldn't disclose that). Arenas had also been sitting down for a while, so maybe he was just trying to get loose. But given the history, anything that happens with Arenas' knee is newsworthy, so I figured I'd pass it along.

Other stuff coming later...

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Comments

Thanks for the update

I agree we should hold our horses before we jump on emotional tirades on how Gilbert isn’t healthy again. :)

My swag was phenomenal.

by se7en on Oct 1, 2009 5:45 PM EDT reply actions

Mike, is Grover still there?

by disgrunted on Oct 1, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah

He’s still here. I didn’t see him doing much, so yet another reason why it could easily be nothing.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Oct 1, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Mike Lee says in his latest:

Arenas appeared to be favoring his left leg when he joined his teammates for sprints after practice

I’m worried. Despite all the talk about the newly acquired pieces, Agent Zero is still the x-factor for next season. His play (and knee) will determine how far this team can go.

"My Swag Was Phenomenal"

by Bex on Oct 1, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions

Mike Prada, Mike Jones, Mike Lee

Is there anyone there covering the team for a print or online publication who has a name other than Mike?

by bwoodsxyz on Oct 1, 2009 6:21 PM EDT reply actions

Okay

I’m going to go ahead and expect to lose Gil for the season. It’s easier that way…

by steadyhand on Oct 1, 2009 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

He's just foolin with the Mikes

My guess is that Arenas is having some fun at Mike Prada, Michael Lee and Mike Jone’s expense…. knowing if he pretended to be a little gimpy, it would immediately be out there in twitter-land, facebook-county and blog-ville in half a heartbeat.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Oct 1, 2009 9:07 PM EDT reply actions

He did kind of glance up at us after each "sprint"

It was too hard to tell if it was a “are they talking about me? Excellent!” glance or an “oh shit, they’re watching” glance.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Oct 1, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

But you gotta admit

that would be typical Gil – to put one over on the “beat” guys…..

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Oct 1, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah

And you answered my question I had from the other thread.

My swag was phenomenal.

by se7en on Oct 2, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm starting to get a Grant Hill vibe here...

If Gil’s knee isn’t good this season, I don’t think it ever will be, at least not while he’s in his 30s. I pray to God that this is nothing, but I’m expecting the worst now.

by pantslessyoda1 on Oct 1, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

You said it

And its sad really, i think we all can agree that this is his, or his left knee for that matter, make or break year. If it isn’t fine there really isnt anything else he can do (he’s already been to the miracle workers).

by qthaballa on Oct 2, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

mannn

why cant gil ever catch a break man, its getting annoying now

by stanis on Oct 2, 2009 6:32 AM EDT reply actions

Um....

I really, really, didn’t want to see that picture today.

by Unselds on Oct 2, 2009 9:00 AM EDT reply actions

Well then don't post it, LOL

You’re scaring the crap outta me!

by Unselds on Oct 2, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

Good thing

gil is sitting out now. It shows that gil trusts his coach to sit him down.
We know gil will dominate the scrimmages anyways so its a chance for
other guys to develop and make sure the teams doesn’t become overly
reliant on Arenas. They can start to form trust with Foye and some of
the other young guys.

by forthepeople on Oct 2, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions