NBA Betting: Arenas scandal shakes Wizards

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 12 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

"Arenas' behaviour is inexcusable but it would be a great shame if this incident ended his career."

The Gilbert Arenas scandal has rocked a side which Nick Shiambouros had high hopes for at the beginning of the season. Now they could be heading for a major slump.

Before the start of the season I thought the Washington Wizards had an outside chance of making the play-offs. In my Eastern Conference preview I suggested that with a healthy Gilbert Arenas they could be the surprise package in the East.

Due to the unfortunate events of last week involving Gilbert Arenas the chances of Washington making the post-season took a hefty blow.

Arenas was suspended indefinitely without pay by NBA commissioner David Stern for behaviour that made him "not currently fit to take the court". This superstar guard allegedly brought guns in to the locker room following a dispute with fellow player Javaris Crittenton.

Gilbert Arenas is in a world of trouble following his suspension and could face a prison sentence if convicted. In addition, Arenas is losing around $150k in wages for each game he misses. Arenas is in his second year of a $110m contract spread over six years.
　
I am saddened by these unfortunate events. Gilbert Arenas had a very difficult childhood growing up in Florida. He made it to the NBA the hard way and was raised by his single father. His behaviour is inexcusable but it would be a great shame if this incident ended his career.

Until last week, he was the franchise player for the Washington Wizards and was widely regarded as one of the best guards in the NBA. He is one of the few players in the league who can turn a game around and take control when his team is behind. He averages an impressive 22.6 points per game and is in the prime of his career.
　
I do not know what the future will hold for him until the outcome of this very serious matter. I really hope the fans get to see Gilbert Arenas on a basketball court sooner rather than later as this kind of talent does not come round very often.

The Wizards have a mountain to climb if they are going to make it to the playoffs. Currently they have a record of 12-23 but are only 3.5 games behind Chicago who hold the eighth spot in the East.

The problem for Washington is that they do not have enough depth in the rotation to be competitive without Arenas. Randy Foye has replaced Arenas but these are big shoes to fill for this young guard.
　
Brendan Hayward and Antawn Jamison will pick up some of the slack for the Wizards as they are seasoned professionals and can raise their game when the chips are down. I am not sure that will be enough to carry this team forward in the short term.

The Wizards are definitely worth opposing at the moment and could be heading for a major slump. They are worth laying over a five game stretch starting on Wednesday when they have to travel to the in form Atlanta Hawks.

Here is the full schedule: January 13th @ Atlanta,15th @ Chicago,16th Sacramento,18th Portland, 20th Dallas.

Recommended Bets:

Lay Washington with advertised handicap against Atlanta, Chicago, Sacramento, Portland and Dallas.