Things Just Got Interesting

by Jake Whitacre on Mar 23, 2009 3:47 PM EDT in Injuries

(The Wizards are playing the Bulls tonight, it seemed like a fitting photo.)

So the hot news today is that Gilbert will be back on Saturday. My initial reaction is one of relief that at least we know what he's doing now. Whether you agree or not with the decision is one thing, but at least now we don't have to speculate while we argue. No more hypotheticals!

The two question I'm hearing the most in the wake of this news are:

How does this affect our lottery chances?
Does this mean he's 100% healthy for sure this time?

As far as the lottery chances go, I don't think his presence hurt the team's chances all that much. Assuming that Gilbert sticks to home games and the one road game against Cleveland, here's the games that he'll be participating in:

Detroit - 3/28
Cleveland - 4/2
Miami - 4/4
@ Cleveland - 4/8
Toronto - 4/13

Of the five games on the list, the Toronto game is the only one that becomes a much more winnable game with Arenas on the court. But even with that said, you have to remember that the team is likely going to be treating these games more like exhibitions than actual games as they try to see how he plays with guys like Javaris Crittenton whom he hasn't played with on the court yet. Unless Gilbert sets the world on fire when he returns, I don't think he'll hurt the team's lottery chances that much.

Besides, as Prada pointed out, our lottery pick isn't the one getting the $111 million contract. Wouldn't you sacrifice a few lottery balls to make sure that the franchise player is in working order?

Only time will tell the answer to the second question, but at least now we know that we won't have to wait all summer to get an answer.

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this is all you need to know about gil

He first sent a text message to Comcast SportsNet saying: “I’m playing Saturday against Detroit.”

After the team’s morning shootaround Monday, Arenas was asked by a Washington Post reporter if the news was true. Arenas said “it’s only true if I play on Saturday.”

by joshp on Mar 23, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

like advertising, this stuff goes away if you stop paying attention to it.

so i’m just tuning it out, waiting to see how he looks when he plays. that is all i care about.

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

by little stevie colter on Mar 23, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

God, I love that photo

I’m not expecting too much out of Gil right now.

by MR on Mar 23, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

think he can still get that kind of lift

on his jump shot?

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

by little stevie colter on Mar 23, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure, but...

I sure do miss the last 10 seconds of a quarter, half or game with the ball in Arenas’ hands…

by Team Serbia on Mar 23, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I've never seen anyone shoot so accurately from 30+ feet

by pantslessyoda1 on Mar 23, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

That photo

Captures one of the happiest moments I’ve had as a sports fan. I just saved it to my computer and thank you for putting it up there.
Here’s hoping that they play him anout 15-20 minutes and they try him at two guard.

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Mar 23, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

At least things are bit interesting around here...

That last road trip was the bottom of a bottomless pit…

So, bring it on Gil, let’s see even just a hint that you’ve still got the skills and the attitude that filled the seats at MCI and brought a little joy to us all during the Bush years. An Obama Presidency and a strong Wiz team led by an irrepressible Arenas could put the Fun back in Fun Street.

by khrabb on Mar 23, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions