These days, the name "Gilbert Arenas" usually causes one of two looks on the face of average Wizards fans: disgust or befuddlement.
Is he ever coming back? Will he be the same? Do I even care?
Like it or not, you should care.
The Wizards are stuck with Agent Zero whether you like it or not. Right now, the franchise is hemorrhaging fans like a severed artery. And the man whose self-made aspirations and accomplishments have been fueled by doubters might be the team's only hope to return to relevancy.
Arenas has been suspiciously all quiet on the blogging front. He's made appearances at home and road games, but when it comes to his surgically repaired knee, rehabilitation and timetables, mum's the word.
The severed lines of communication seem like a gargantuan task for someone who has been accused of whoring for attention more than the night walkers who have vied for Andray Blatche's affection around Thomas Circle.
The best hope for Wizards Nation is that Arenas channels his silence towards once again proving his detractors wrong. But on what station will the channel be turned?
Sports
Sure the Wiz need Arenas' opening spark and finishing clutch. According the 82games.com, they are worst in the NBA in net points per 1st quarter, and second to last in the 4th quarter.
But they also need a point guard, more of a facilitator and less of a gunner. This year, Wizards point guards rank dead last in difference between their collective player efficiency rating and that of their opponents.
Forget being healthy, Jason Kidd and Amare Stoudamire are examples who have come back from similar knee injuries. Does Arenas have the desire and focus to adjust his game to be a winner and not just another basketball celebrity? That's the question.
Kyle Weidie also writes Truth About It and contributes to Bullets Forever, both Washington Wizards blogs. Because of this, some may call him self-loathing.
