Gilbert Arenas keeps worrying the Washington Wizards. He has sat out three consecutive practices due to a sore right ankle and might not be able to play in Thursday’s game versus Orlando Magic. Earlier in preseason had the chance to play and perform well but instead took himself out of the game by faking an injury to let his younger teammate Nick Young play. Even though it gave the youngster some playing time, Coach Flip Saunders saw it more like a trust breaking decision. “I can’t judge when someone is hurt or not hurt. Only you can tell us that. When you indicate and say that to me, that’s what I go by.”
Up to today Arenas has been supposed to be one of the main influences that would change the image of the team, which took serious hits when he was suspended for 50 games for going to prison because of gunplay last December. His role in the upcoming season is to make fans and media forget about what happened almost a year ago. This season is aimed at being all about showing that the Washington Wizards have changed and are on the right track to success.
With a sore ankle and the inability to lead the team on the court it is up to players like guard John Wall who is going to make his debut during opening night. And instead of being intimidated he is ready. “It’s exciting; I’m not going to lie about that,” Wall said. “This is what everybody been waiting for. It’s what I’ve been waiting for. I probably can’t sleep as much at night. At the same time, I’ve just got to go out there and play, don’t try to do stuff that I’m not used to doing.”
