Arenas plays zero defense

Gilbert Arenas is considered by many industry experts as one of the NBA’s brightest stars. He’s also been donned the face of the Washington Wizards. But despite his lofty accolades the two-time All-Star is cheating the Wizards and their fans. While Arenas thrills the Verizon Center crowd with his offensive explosiveness, he plays about as much defense as the number on the back of his jersey – zero. Just like he gives his jersey away at the end of each game without a care, he also plays a vital part in giving away potential Wizards victory with his non-existence defense.

During the pre-season Arenas said he wanted to take his game to the next level by manning-up and playing defense like Kobe Bryant.

“I’m going to take that challenge this year by stopping the best players,” said Arenas. “I’m going to have to stick the Kobes and the Tracy McGradys out there. If players are seeing me go out there willing to take that challenge, they will do that with me. It’s about setting an example and leading with my play. That’s what the best do. MJ [Michael Jordan] did it on both ends. Kobe does it. That’s what’s next for me.”

Unfortunately, Arenas’ walk has failed to measure up with his talk. Last Sunday against the New Jersey Nets I counted at least eight times during the game’s second-half and overtime period when Arenas chose to defend under the pick oppose to fighting over it; something that’s stressed in high school when learning to play defense. This lack of defensive effort on Arenas’ part creates (1) separation – jump shooters love separation because it makes for an easier jump shot – (2) uncontested passing lanes, and (3) causes defensive mismatches.

On one crucial play during the game’s closing moments, Arenas chose to defended under the pick and New Jersey’s guard Jason Kidd passed to Vince Carter, who made a 25-foot three-point basket to cut the Wizards’ three-point lead to one-point, 85-84. A few plays later, the Wizards needing a defensive stop to help insure the win found Arenas out of position three times on one defensive serious. Fortunately for the Wizards Carter was called for an offensive foul.

After having a three-point lead with less than three seconds remaining in the game, the Wizards lost by 12 in overtime. Better defense from the face of the Wizards will result in fewer loses and more wins. Just like a point-guard is responsible for setting the tone for how his team performs offensively, the guard defending the point-guard sets the tone for how his team performs defensively. Defensively, Arenas is often out of position; seldom will lift his hands to create opposition when his man attempts to make an entry pass, and rather than move his feet and exert effort to keep the offensive player in front of him, will allow players to feint him out of position. He then takes halfhearted strikes at the balls trying to give the appearance that he is putting forth an effort.

Arenas’ lack of defensive intensity often causes a domino effort. As his man constantly enters the paint, Arenas’ teammates are leaking into the lane, like they are suppose to do, trying to assist number “0.” Subsequently they become exposed allowing their men wide open jumpers; the case in the New Jersey game. New Jersey’s Bostjan Nachbar, the benefactor of those defensive breakdown, connected on six of eight field goal attempts, scoring 15 points off the bench. All six baskets scored by Nachbar were assisted by Kidd – Arenas’ man.

If the Wizards are going to become one of the NBA elite teams, then Arenas, their elite player needs to stop cheating the Washington Wizards and play some All-Star defense.