but pro-rated over 36 minutes of action per contest with the Magic this season, Arenas is averaging 13.2 points, 5.3 assists and four rebounds per game. It’s entirely possible that Arenas could make up that 12-point, five-rebound, and one-assist gulf in two more minutes per game, as he predicts, but you’d have to be under the influence of crazy to do so.

The implication (as always with that particular family of stats) is that per-36 numbers reliably translate. In other words, that you should expect 1/2 of the per-36 production if the player plays 18 minutes per game. That you should expect 4/3 of the per-36 production if the player plays 48 minutes per game. On face, its not an entirely unreasonable expectation, but can be proven by countless examples not to be a reliable indicator of what to expect when a player does start (or stop) getting 36 minutes per game.

No word on how an increase in minutes would significantly help Arenas’ ungodly 34.4 percent shooting mark from the field,

That’s easy. Among other things, a steady flow of minutes is an indication of the coach’s confidence in the player. He’s on a short leash. Coach’s confidence, or lack thereof, can be (and has been) effective in influencing a player’s effectiveness. That can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In addition, lack of steady minutes means lack of an opportunity to get into the flow of the game, create expectations from game to game, understand your role on the team, gain confidence from contributing, and so on. Yeah, I hear you, he should be ready whenever his number is called, but that’s not a realist’s outlook on the world (in other words, should is a nice word for politicans and dreamers).

or the brain that tells him to shoot over six 3-pointers for every 36 minutes he plays despite managing just a 27.5 percent mark from long range,

Its Orlando. They’re Dwight Howard and three point shooters. Aside from that, Gil’s best chance to stay on the floor is for him to hit some threes. Can’t fault him for trying to stay on the floor. In addition, he’s a career 35% three point shooter. Can’t fault him for trying to reinstate a once effective element of his game.

I’m really surprised to read this from you, Kelley. You’re one of my most respected national bball writers, but I think you’re way off this time.

Gil being Gil. Placing the blame on someone else’s shoulders.

When he got hurt, it was the training staff’s fault. When he play’s bad, it’s the coache’s fault. Give me more minutes and I will play the way you want me to play.

And I’m sorry but giving him more minutes is not going to improve his shooting percentage much. he was shooting 40% here. The difference was he was getting to the line, due to his fearlessness, something he doesn’t seem to have anymore (as he is worried about his knee).

He can put the blame on other people as long as he wants, but until he starts taking responsibility for his faults, they aren’t going to get any better.