Washington
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
Making a last-minute push for entry into the All-Star game, Gilbert Arenas matched a career-high 43 points and also led the team with 9 rebounds and 6 assists to beat the Indiana Pacers 108-104and to make any announcement today that doesn't include his name as an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve look like a travesty and a slap in the face to the league. Antawn Jamison, another rumored All-Star reserve this year, chipped in with 24 points.
If Arenas and Jamison are not selected, it will be a real problem for the league. There would just be too many questions out there. These are players on a winning team -- Washington is tied with the defending world champion Detroit Pistons for the second-best record in the East -- who have turned around a franchise that had been a laughingstock for decades.
Before this season, you might have thought Jamison would probably be the more obvious lock to be an All-Star. Now, it is probably Arenas who would be the greater disappointment if he wasn't selected. Nevertheless, Jamison is still far from being undeserving. Remember, Arenas was on the Wizards last year too, when they were not the powerhouse they are today. The biggest change that happened with the Wizards this offseason was the addition of Antawn Jamison.
Jamison and Arenas are also the two Wizards who have the highest plus-minus ratings on their team according to 82games.com. That means their team does well with them on the floor and poorly when they are on the bench.
Expect them both to be announced as All-Stars. If they're not, expect a wave of backlash on the league, because if these two are not going to Denver, there is something wrong with the process.
NEXT GAME
The Wizards (28-19, second in the Southeast) host the San Antonio Spurs (38-10, first in the Southwest) tomorrow night, Wednesday, February 9th. The game starts at 7:00pm Eastern and will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net and NBA League Pass.
TEAM NOTES
Every Wednesday night is college night! Bring an ID and get a $10 ticket against the Spurs on Wednesday.
INJURY UPDATE
Peter John Ramos(knee),Larry Hughes(thumb),Kwame Brown (ankle) are all on the injured list.
The Associated Press writes inThe Concord Monitor: Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison sure looked like All-Stars against the Indiana Pacers last night.One day before the All-Star reserves are announced, Arenas matched his career high with 43 points to help the Washington Wizards beat the Pacers, 108-104. Jamison added 20 points, combining with Arenas for 19 of Washington's 21 points in the final 8 minutes.
Bill Harris ofThe Toronto Sunwrites: Antawn Jamison did not sound cocky when he said it. Instead, he seemed genuinely hurt. "In my eyes, I should be a two-time or three-time all-star already," said Jamison, the stellar Washington Wizards forward, when asked if this is the year he finally will break through and be named to play in the NBA all-star game. "But it's not about how you feel. It's about how your peers feel."
Don Markus ofThe Baltimre Sunwrites: If Gilbert Arenas thinks he has to carry the Washington Wizards these days, he shouldn't be blamed when he misses a big shot now and then.Ever since shooting guard Larry Hughes was sidelined last month with a broken right thumb, Arenas has shouldered much of the scoring load. His shoulders seem to be holding up, as are the Wizards.