Menu

Gilbert Arenas

Drafted #30 in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Warriors
RCSI: 99 (1999)
Height: 6'3" (191 cm)
Weight: 199 lbs (90 kg)
Position: PG/SG
High School: Ulysses S. Grant High School (California)
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
College: Arizona
Current Team:

Articles

NBA Scouting Reports, Southeastern Division (Part 2)

Matt Williams
Matt Williams
Eric Weiss
Eric Weiss
May 09, 2008, 09:13 am
Overview: The former 2001 2nd round pick, (32nd overall) has established himself as one of the premier scorers in the league. The quirky guard is famous (amongst many other things) for the implementation of the “Gilbert Arenas Rule” present in the CBA. This rule allows teams to match any offer a 2nd round pick may receive from another team. Arenas is an outstanding shooter, capable of taking over games with an array of jump shots. He also gets to the free throw line at a fantastic clip.

Strengths: Arenas builds his game off his fantastic shooting ability. He is one of the most effective players in the NBA in ISO situations, due to his perimeter accuracy and his unpredictable offensive attack. Arenas mixes up his drives very well and doesn't favor one side of the court, so getting a handle on how he's going to attack is extremely difficult. He has good explosive strength going to the basket, finishing well after contact or elevating after turning the corner on his man. He also gets to the free throw line incredibly well, which makes him extremely difficult to guard.

Arenas has defensive ability when he commits to it, which is virtually never. His size and length complement his excellent quickness and make him a difficult guard to beat to the basket or pull-up in ISO unchallenged, but he rarely has the inclination to show it. Arenas is extremely prone to being drawn into personal duels between himself and the opposing team's star, so his shot-selection and defensive intensity may be determined by the challenge.

Weaknesses: Arenas gets the most criticism for his quirky nature and unpredictable style. He's a scoring PG all the way, though he has the court vision to make plays for others and shows them at times—just not enough. But his ability to score the ball and be so dominant doing so can be a detriment in the games where he goes cold. Arenas tends to shoot himself out of slumps, and during those times the team's offense really suffers. His teammates are often forced to stand around and watch him pound the ball incessantly, which makes his team's offense fairly predictable. His shot-selection could stand to improve considerably.

While Washington has enjoyed good success overall with Arenas at the helm, their defense has never been better since he's been absent. He has a tendency to gamble too much and just doesn't seem interested enough in putting the effort in on this side of the floor.