102. Gilbert Arenas
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Injuries and stupidity have blemished Gilbert Arenas’s career the past few years, but lets think back a couple of seasons and remember just how good he was. He was a consistent 20 points per night scorer but also dished out a decent number of assists for a high scorer.
He was told often that he would never amount to anything in basketball while attending the University of Arizona. That’s why he chose the number 0 to remind himself of that. He amounted to something however, in just two years at Arizona he made a lasting impact on the school and got himself drafted into the NBA.
Draft night was a long one for Arenas who many thought could go as high as the lottery. But he slide past the lottery, past the 20s, and into the second round where he was the 31st overall pick by the Golden State Warriors.
He seen limited time due to an injury his rookie year but did manage to scorer 10 points a game. He busted onto the NBA scene in his second year averaging 18 points and 6 assists and winning most improved player honors.
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Arenas would only play two seasons for the Warriors before signing with the Washington Wizards. The Warriors wanted to keep Arenas but the Wizards offered him a max deal and the Warriors who were over the cap could not match. This prompted a change in the NBA rulebook where teams can no longer offer deals to restricted free agents in this range.
Injuries would plague Arenas in his first year in Washington. He did average 20 points but played in only 55 games. The 04-05 season marked the beginning of a long run of health and success for Arenas and the Wizards. Arena’s would make the all-star team three consecutive seasons and become one of the leagues best players and biggest superstars
In the 05 playoffs Arenas would help the Wizards defeat the Chicago Bulls giving the franchise it’s first playoff series victory since 1982. Playoff success would be limited though for the Wizards as the next three seasons they would lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Arenas would average a career high 29 points a game in 2005-06, and 28 the following season. Injuries once again effected Arena’s career as in 07-08 he played in only 13 games after having knee surgery. Despite the surgery the Wizards re-signed Arenas to a max deal following the season, only to lose Arenas to another knee injury. Arenas would play in only 2 games in the 08-09 season.
Arenas looked to have returned somewhat to form in 2009-10 averaging 23 points a game for the struggling Wizards but controversy soon struck that would end his season. Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittondon pointed guns at each other in the locker room. Both were suspended for the remainder of the season and Arenas pled guilt to fire arm possession and was sentenced to a half way house.
With the 2010-11 season approaching it is unsure what will happen with Arenas. The Wizards are rumored to be looking to trade Arenas but his contract and injury history no other NBA team seems interested.
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#103
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