Antawn Jamison emphatically tells Gilbert Arenas to "play his game"

by Mike Prada on Nov 30, 2009 2:37 PM EST in Player Analysis Comment 35 comments

I've probably flip-flopped more times on the value of Antawn Jamison's "leadership" than any other issue surrounding this team. Last year, I thought it was overrated, since he was throwing jabs at the young guys that I thought were undeserved. Now that I've been around the team for a while, I can see how they all value it so much.

At this very moment, I'm very happy about Jamison's leadership. Why? At practice today, I asked him what he thinks about Gilbert Arenas' on-court mentality (i.e. does he need to be more aggressive, etc.). Antawn's response? He needs to just play and stop listening to what everyone else wants him to be.

"That's the thing I tell him," Jamison said after practice today. "Don't listen to me."

"'But coach [said this]," Jamison continued, imitating Arenas, before saying in his own voice, "Don't listen. You play your game. You do what has gotten you to this point. Now, if you can't do that, you got to find a way to get close to it."

"I said to him, 'Man, don't listen to nobody. Just do what you do. Don't try to do what someone else is telling you to do."

Jamison said he cannot tell Arenas whether to be aggressive or to set people up. He said that would be like someone telling him to "cross people up like Allen Iverson." "That's going to be a turnover, we going the other way," Jamison said. "I don't do that. Two or three dribbles, and it's going up."

He added that there are too many voices in Arenas' head, saying that Arenas just needs to be patient and work his way back. He added that we shouldn't take for granted how difficult it is for Arenas to get back to where he once was after being out for most of the past two years.

"I just think – I won’t say he’s listening, but so much has been said as far as ‘We need him to be aggressive’ or ‘We need him to set people up.’ Gil knew when to be aggressive. He knew when to set people up. But like I said, the guy hasn’t played in however many so games, so he’s just going to have to get back into the thick of things. He’s going to have to understand, ‘How can I do this 15-20 games into the season?’ ‘How can I do this for four-in-five nights or four-in-six nights?’ That’s the tough thing. I’m still trying to do it, and I’ve been healthy the last two or three seasons."

Jamison's entire response took over two minutes, and I've rarely seen him more worked up than he was then. That's not to say he was angry, but clearly, he had a message he wanted to get across and he wanted it to be emphatic.

For his part, Flip Saunders said point blank that Arenas has no confidence right now and that he needs to be more aggressive and stop passing up open shots. He, of course, said it in a much more measured way than Jamison did.

As for Arenas? He wasn't there when I got there. A Wizards PR director told me Arenas was getting his passport renewed in preparation for tomorrow's trip to Toronto. I'm not sure whether he left early before the media got there or didn't practice altogether.

More later...

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Comments

I had a feeling this was mostly mental

my co-workers are convinced that Arenas is hiding an injury, but his comments just don’t reflect that.

by Pryme on Nov 30, 2009 2:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree, I think its mental

He does not look like a player with confidence. He does not trust his shot. He looks like he is bringing the ball up the court and has already decided what he is going to do (e.g. on this play I am passing to caron, on this play I am going to drive…etc) and is not letting the game come to him and take what is there.

I think its similar to Nick Young in some ways. The guy just needs to see he shot go in, get the confidence he can score like the old him, and the rest will follow. Right now he looks like he is forcing everything

by Blatche4MVP on Nov 30, 2009 3:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Basically

Don’t think, feel.

by Fundefined on Nov 30, 2009 3:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think he should rest his legs for a few games

and start running some set plays for him to get easier looks.

by BayAreaBullet on Nov 30, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If 85% of the pro game is mental...

…then confidence has a lot to do with success.

Having been out for two years and three knee operations, why would anyone be confident to play NBA-level basketball? Net, net: it’s going to take time and good coaching for Arenas to regain his confidence.

I disagree with AJ in that he shouldn’t pre-empt the coach, but the coach needs to come around to using Arenas in a more practical way. Right now, Flip is as confused as is Arenas. He needs to play another combo guard next to Arenas who can handle the ball, defend the 2, and score. Foye comes closest to the requirement. (If you recall the trio of Arenas, Foye and Miller was lights out on several occasions).

by Izman on Nov 30, 2009 3:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I Agree With Jamison 100%

Gil needs to forget everything. Enough with this nonsense about having all of these offensive weapons that he has to defer to. We can all see what all of those weapons has gotten us: 5-10. I say bring back the 30 points a night, “I’m going to take over this game” Gilbert Arenas.

Funny thing was, when Gilbert was supposedly hogging the ball back then, it somehow didn’t prevent both Jamison and Caron from averaging 20 points a night themselves, and for DeShawn to even have a few breakout performances of his own. Yet now he is supposed to make sure everybody gets shots? Nonsense! Let the shots come as they will for everybody else. Gil is the star of this team. He is the closest thing to Dwayne Wade or Kobe Bryant that we got. He needs to start acting like it.

Gil needs to be himself again, to get his swag back. If he can’t do that, the Wizards have no chance to compete in the playoffs, assuming they can even make the playoffs.

Oh, and excellent stuff again, Mike. Rec’d.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Nov 30, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pretty much agree with you

But I gotta say that “I played with 2 guys who averaged 20 points a night” argument that Arenas put out was total, utter BS. The big 3 took pretty much every shot. There are enough shots in a game to split between 3 people so they can all average 20 points. No one else on the team took shots. It doesn;t mean Arenas shared the ball or was a good passer it just meant only 3 people on those teams was taking shots.

by BayAreaBullet on Nov 30, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Back Then, the Big 3 Were All That Were There

That is why they took almost every shot, IMO. Yet DeShawn still occasionally cracked 20, as did Jarvis. And remember when Dixon scored over 20 in the playoffs 5 seasons ago? That was with the selfish, ball-hogging Gil too. I always knew that Gil wasn’t going to pass as much as most point guards, but he distributed enough to help his team win. In the end, the only things that matter are wins and losses.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Nov 30, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and we always lose in the playoffs

my point was that stat isn’t proof that he is a good distributor it’s just an indictment of the offensive capabilities of guys 4-12 those years. Regardless of whether he passes enough(I had no problem with how many shots he took) that argument is utter BS. I don’t really think Gil passes any more or less than he used too

by BayAreaBullet on Nov 30, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Never Tried to Say

That Gilbert was a great distributor. My point was merely that his ball distribution was good enough to win most games, even with no bench help. Right now, sitting at 5-10, I’ll take that.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 1, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not helping

Once again I think Jamison needs to shut up. Flip has been extremely successful with point guards in the past, and as good as Gilbert was, decision-making was an area he needed to improve even at his peak. I’m not criticizing as much as saying there’s room for improvement). If Flip thinks Arenas can learn to run the offense, then Gil should try.

If he’s not physically limited then he’s clearly having a crisis of confidence. That could be fixed by him reverting to his own style at the cost of the flow of the offense, but it could also be fixed by him growing comfortable with the new offense. He doesn’t need his teammates telling him to go off the reservation when he could potentially get himself going AND do what Flip wants. I think he should keep listening to Flip. If/when Flip decides Arenas can’t do it, he’ll turn him loose. Remember that the Detroit players saying how important it was for everyone on the team to have confidence in the offense. If Gil (and Jamison?) don’t play along, I have to think it’s not going to work very well and the offense will break down into one-on-one play and contested jumpers. Didn’t we seen enough of that under Jordan?

If teammates want to get in Gil’s ear, tell him to focus on defense. That will take his mind off his offensive worries and make a huge improvement in is overall game.

by steadyhand on Nov 30, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

wish I could edit -- sorry for all the errors.

by steadyhand on Nov 30, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I diagree with you

Now is not the time to try to convert him into a different player. Let him to where he used to be before we start worrying about making him even better.

by Stanicek on Nov 30, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

not sure it will help

but it definitely sounds like antawn’s got his back, which is good to hear.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Nov 30, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I am willing to accept any excuse for Gil's horrible play

as long as the KNEE doesn’t come up.

by ccrun1800 on Nov 30, 2009 6:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This "don't listen to coach" thing is interesting

I mean, I see what Jamison is saying …. he’s not “really” telling Arenas not to listen to Flip.

But clearly the “convert Arenas to someone who can manage games like Chauncey Billups” project has been scrapped.

And maybe that’s it, Gilbert Arenas is not a good manager.

So sure … go out there and just “play” … why not?

Of course, I doubt the same thing would be said if Arenas was have the same personal struggles and the Wizards were 9-6 instead of 5-10.

So …. this probably means that Grunfeld will try to find a way to keep Earl Boykins for the remained of the season.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.

by Truth About It on Nov 30, 2009 7:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

That comment about not listening to the coach is not a recipe for success, even if Arenas gets his old form back. I also agree that Arenas isn’t really suited to be the “traditional” PG that Filp wants.

I know this might be sacrilegious(and I could just imagine Gil’s reaction to it), but I wouldn’t mind seeing Gil play some 2(size withstanding) to get his mind off the management end of it and just focus on getting his shot back instead of the Wiz just scrapping their offense already.

by Mike Uhrich on Nov 30, 2009 8:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Antawn really meant "Ignore the coach"

I think he was saying “Don’t worry too much about doing exactly what he says, just play and things will work out.”

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

by Mike Prada on Nov 30, 2009 8:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's awfully generous of you

It’s possible that you’re right, but you’re putting your own thoughts in there. What he says very clearly communicates that Arenas should not do what Flip tells him to do.

by steadyhand on Dec 1, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am definitely putting my own thoughts in there

No doubt about it.

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

by Mike Prada on Dec 1, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You don't need to ignore the voices in your head in order to close out an opponent on the perimeter.

Unless the voices are saying “play terrible defense”, in which case, I agree with Antawn: Gilbert should ignore those voices. This isn’t a mental thing, it’s an effort thing.

by satchmore on Nov 30, 2009 8:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What do you guys think about

Just making Gil a permanent (or majority of the time) 2 Guard…

Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Iverson join the league as a PG…when they moved him to Shooting Guard I could swear I remember people saying he’d score less cuz he needed to run the offense to score…but as we all know his scoring actually went up when he moved to SG…

Maybe we try to remove some of these mental blocks (like forcing distribution) and we can return closer to what he used to be…

Of course the big worry is that he just can’t be what he used to be…I agree with many who say his legs look weaker…especially when he drives to the basket, he doesn’t seem to have the lift he used to…so he gets blocked or turns it over way more than we’re used to seeing…which makes him shoot more jumpers, which makes him more predictable ala the lower FG %…

by DynaMix on Nov 30, 2009 8:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Other than his poor defense

I have to agree with everyone who says it’s “mental.” You can just tell that the guy doesn’t have the “feel” for the game, the confidence that comes with being able to do whatever he wants to do on the court. I think his silence earlier this year wasn’t as much about the media as it was about his own insecurities. Deep down I think he isn’t sure that he’s the player he used to be, and he’s scared about it.

Regardless, he’ll be okay. One day the light will click back on and he’ll start lighting the league on fire. Hopefully that day comes sooner rather than later….

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 30, 2009 10:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And further

I agree with Jamison. Arenas needs to play instinctual — once he gets his feel back he can focus on the nuances of Flip’s system.

Good reporting Prada.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 30, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think as people have suggested to him-

that he needs to go back to blogging etc. Doing all of the things that were fun for him. I just don’t think its really helping him to suppress his eccentricity.

by ooba on Nov 30, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Disagreeing with Jamison is idoitic. He comes out and “speaks” we get back on track. He comes out and drops “31” and we win. Everything he does reflects a win. Him speaking on Arenas’ mental issues is an obvious problem that WILL help.

When someone tells you your slipping and falling off your school schedule, guess what your going to forget all the concerns and start studying. Same situation, the guy has to drop all the mental blocks and play his game.

I expect a breakout game for Arenas, atleast 15-20 points, and anywhere between 7-10 assists.

I said it before the guy has a career ahead of him. I dont expect him to rush his game, or anything of the sort, however, I certainly need him to get out his mental slump, which is obvious. He looks depressed on the court. Anyways lets see whats up tonight. What his gameplay and see if he is still trying to be Billups or if he is distributing.

by Unxpekted on Dec 1, 2009 9:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

You're calling me idiotic

Just want to make sure you realize you’re insulting people.

Jamison was 19-62 last year (and has lost 61+ games three times with the Wizards while compiling an overall games-played record of 339-465). Would an all-star that you can say “everything he does reflects a win” be part of a 60+ loss team? Three? His embarrassing defense does not reflect a win. His finger-pointing does not reflect a win. And his telling teammates to ignore the coach surely doesn’t reflect wins.

Flip, on the other hand, has a .592 winning percentage, his teams have won 50+ games seven times in 13 years, and he’s never lost more than 42 games in a season. I’d listen to Flip. I guess I’m just an idiot.

by steadyhand on Dec 1, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're

taking this a little overboard. Perhaps if you were there when he answered the question you’d be able to decipher his meaning, otherwise it seems like your injecting your own bias into it.

by ronoD nagrO on Dec 1, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

uhhh.....

“has lost 61+ games three times with the Wizards”

……..Not sure where you’ve been, but last year was the FIRST year the Wizards missed the playoffs without Jamison. Also, Jamison does not “finger-point”, he tells it like it is. Jamison does his thing night in and night out, and he deserves some help from teammates.
And you can throw Flip Saunders winning percentage out the window because right now with the Wizards its .333. If you could base everything off of past accomplishments, Gilbert would be averaging 29 and 6, and the Wizards would be atop the Eastern Conference. The Wizards at 5-10 will not get it done, and EVERYONE should be looking for solutions including the head coach(which he has been).

by SkinsWizStangs on Dec 1, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oops

That’s for his career — includes Wizards, Mavs and Warriors.

Isn’t pointing out that certain teammates are at fault more or less the definition of finger-pointing regardless of whether it’s true? Wouldn’t you agree that that’s generally unproductive?

by steadyhand on Dec 1, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Watch his gameplay and see if he is still trying to be Billups or playing as Agent 0*

by Unxpekted on Dec 1, 2009 9:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

When did I insult you? Im not 5 year old and please keep comments geared toward the thread or yourself.

Firstly, I was merely responding to the success that I have seen when Wizards listen to Jamison. His passion and experience that he brings to the table in the form of leadership is very helpful. I dont know any Celtic fans who shoot down Garnett for his leadership within the team. Our recent wins have came from Jamisons ability to score, his versatility as a PF in the paint, and his passion. To me he has been our most consistant player regardless of his defense

Secondly, our defense has been a problem but some of our lost games came with GOOD defensive numbers and a lack of ball movement and the ability to knock shots OFFENSE.

Thirdly, comparing last years stats and completely tearing apart the Wizards in a year where injuries and “coach” Ed Tapscott was leading us is completely irrelovant and ignorant. Jamisons work ethic is like no other. If you really think the answer to the “Wizards not being terrible defensively” is removing Jamison than you might want to start rethinking how a teams success works.

I respect everyones opinions but obviously if the team is stagnate and not addressing issues someone needs to come out and raise issues, awareness, and start helping Arenas or whoever it is build confidence and come with some aggression and pursuit to win.

The Lakers and Celtics are both champions for many reasons but one you cant deny is the players passion and ability to communicate with eachother and reveal a passion that becomes contagious.

In a relationship the key thing is communication and if you want a team who stays quiet and holds all their inner feelings, listens to the coach like a droid, and merely tries to improve defense, well your missing alot of key elements. This is a team not a stat book reflection of Jamisons defense last year in one of the worst Washington seasons due to many issues.

by Unxpekted on Dec 1, 2009 1:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wait a second

The way the conversation is written in the article Jamison is telling Arenas not to listen to the coach. Now Mike Prada has since commented that he doesn’t feel that is what AJ exactly meant, since it was his interview and he was there I’ll respect that and give Antawn the benefit of the doubt. But what if Gil takes it literally? How does it help the team if the star player ignores the coach and undermines his authority? That’s not how the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Bulls, etc. won championships.

Jamison is the rock on this team, their most consistent player, but he is not infallible. He does need to take a leadership role, just not a reckless one.

by Mike Uhrich on Dec 1, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Arenas is not going to stop listening to his coach. He is not a 22 years old player coming fresh in to the NBA, he is a professional who is struggling after a 2-3 year injury. He will listen, and right now obviously something needs to change for him so I like Arenas’ advice.

by Unxpekted on Dec 1, 2009 6:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs