Gilbert Arenas still adjusting thoughts about retiring
After serving a 50-game suspension last season and starting this year sidelined with a right ankle injury, Gilbert Arenas finally returned to regular-season action, but was still adjusting
in his first two games with the Washington Wizards this season.
The 28-year old guard made his season debut against the New York Knicks on Friday 5 November and he quickly made an impact, scoring 18 points on 6-for-13 shooting from the field. He followed
it up with a 13-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday 6 November.
Although he is producing good number for the Wizards, the former Arizona standout is still trying to fit into the offensive schemes of the Wizards, but his team-mates are helping Arenas by
giving him a lot of trust.
“We're trying. It is tough when a guy misses so much time,” Wizards guard Kirk Hinrich said. “I don't know if I necessarily notice the rust; it's a matter of getting him acclimated with the
group. We need him, we need his scoring and we all have to make a conscious effort to make him a big part of what we do down there.”
Wizards head coach Flip Saunders also recognized the rust in Arenas’ game in his first two games, especially with his decision-making after passing on several shots he usually takes before,
but he and Arenas believes that things will get better soon.
“A couple more practices and a couple more games, I should be fine,” said Arenas, who also revealed that he thought about retiring after being involved in the infamous gun incident last season.
According to Arenas, he nearly gave up during the off-season because he didn’t know what to expect after all the controversies and recurring injuries he had, which slowed down his career
after being named to the all-star team three times.
“I thought about retiring for a minute, it's been a rough road for me,” Arenas said. “I really didn't know what to expect. I thought it was just too much negativity for me to come back in.
I just didn't know if I was mentally prepared for it again.”
The nine-year NBA veteran’s career was derailed by injuries, including three knee surgeries, and has only played 47 games since the 2006-07 season, before returning on Friday 5 November.
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