Gilbert Arenas Growing Up?

Gilbert Arenas told Flip Saunders that his surgically repaired (multiple times) right knee felt stiff.  Saunders decided to sit Arenas for the game, rather than push his starting shooting guard through a meaningless preseason game.

But with Arenas, the situation is never what it appears on the surface.  And true to form, there was more than met the eye with this "injury."  Arenas secretly concocted a plan to fake an injury for teammate Nick Young so that Young could start in Arenas' place and get more playing time.  Young was frustrated with his lack of time on the court, and with a new subdued and more mature Arenas around, the two figured this plan would work best for Young to shine.

When Arenas announced after the game that he faked the soreness so that his teammate could get more run, the media backlash was predictable.  But I will distance myself from that group of journalists who want to write off Arenas' action as another example of his inability to grow up.  I see Arenas' gesture as another piece of example of his growth since the league suspended him for the remainder of the 2009-10 season for the gun incident.

It started with Arenas changing his number from 0 to number 9.  A small act that showed he did not need demand so much attention.  Then he appeared on media day the antithesis of his former self.  Gone was the swagger, the arrogance and the spotlight.  In it's place was a humbled man who knew that if he wanted to salvage his career, he needed to grow up.  He correctly recognized and informed the media that the Wizards are now John Wall's team.  He knows he is now second-fiddle and accepts that role.

Then the fake injury incident arises.  Most will point a finger at Arenas and say he returned to his true form.  To me, though, his choice further indicates his desire for reform.  Arenas, routinely described as selfish and a bad teammate, sacrificed his playing time to help a teammate out.  Spare me the argument about it being a game.  It was a preseason game.  And no, Arenas skipping one preseason does not affect team chemistry.  The team working and playing together happens on a daily basis, so for Arenas to miss one game is not catastrophic.

Was it stupid of Arenas to announce to the media the success of his plan?  Absolutely.  And if this had been a regular season game, I too would have criticized Arenas.  But the intention behind the act holds more significance than the act itself.  Arenas seems to have grown up in his time away.