Turkeys of the Year: Gilbert Arenas

Agent zero...accomplishments: one playoff series win in his career. The way this guy talks about his own ability you would think he has multiple rings by now. He's had three knee surgeries in the last two year. Even I wouldn't blame a player for being that unlucky - oh wait, until he blamed his own team this offseason for 'wanting to sell tickets' and letting him rush back. Maybe take some responsibility for your own actions Gil? Finally, he got his $111 million dollar contract essentially tying the Wizards to an unstable personality for the next 4+ seasons.

Here is an excerpt from a recent Washington Post article discussing the rift in the Wizards locker room:

The last time [Arenas] played almost a full season, in 2006-07, Arenas was able to carry the Wizards out of a 4-9 hole and to the best record in the Eastern Conference by late January. "I'm sitting here thinking, 'Do I have to go into attack mode like I was [three] years ago to get us over the hump?' " he said. "I hope not. It's only so many nights, so many games before I'm going to have to start doing what I do."
The question is whether Arenas is still capable of such heroics while he struggles to regain the form that made him a three-time all-star after a hiatus of almost two seasons because of a bothersome left knee. Arenas said he is the only player on the team who has had to sacrifice his game, but he has been the leading scorer in eight of the 12 games, has taken 64 more shots than anyone on the team, and is shooting just 39 percent. He also leads the league in turnovers per game (4.0).

The man is honestly delusional and I’ll be the first to admit I let it slide for years because at least back in the day he could put up 50 on back to back nights and single-handedly win games. After watching him commit 6 more turnovers last night, I can't help but wonder if Gilbert can even play the point position the way we NEED him to. Honestly, I think Gilbert's basketball IQ is so much lower than anyone recognizes. He leads the league in turnovers...so this notion he can be a "pass first point guard" and be as good as the top PGs in the league is just wrong. He doesn't have the decision making ability.

I can't speak for how the other players in the locker room feel, but I can't help but wonder if some of the veterans are tired of Gilbert pretending he's a top 5 player in the league and his annoying ego song and dance with the media. His game is clearly hurting the team right now more than helping and until he just shuts his mouth and recognizes that, we are screwed!

-Steve Lugerner