Fig Cap: Gil Zero Is Like A Super Almond Joy… Sometimes He Feels Like A Nut, Sometimes He Still Does!

Oh man… the stars in the Dropping Dimes universe just seem aligned as such that I write about all the crazies, huh?  Last year, Alvin got to do the honors of writing about HIBACHI!  Check it here.

In any case, Gilbert Arenas is a little nutty.  The boy can obviously ball with the best of them… he just adds some flair and character to his persona with some of the things he does off and on the court.  Regardless, all I know is that the man puts up some pretty damn good numbers that make me do the Chris Rock eye bulging out of his face thing and pop lock Justin Timberlake style… not that I was paying close attention to every detail of JT’s slide step utilizing his big toe to provide the effect of gliding.  I’m just saying.

Anyway… check out the stats the past three years and you’ll see why it’s easy to get excited:

2004-05: 80 G; 40:53 Min; 43.1 FG%; 2.6 3PTM; 81.4 FT%; 4.7 RPG; 5.1 APG; 3.0 TO; 1.7 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 25.5 PPG
2005-06: 80 G; 42:17 Min; 44.7 FG%; 2.5 3PTM; 82.0 FT%; 3.5 RPG; 6.1 APG; 3.7 TO; 2.0 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 29.3 PPG
2006-07: 74 G; 39:47 Min; 41.8 FG%; 2.8 3PTM; 84.4 FT%; 4.6 RPG; 6.0 APG; 3.2 TO; 1.9 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 28.5 PPG

Now, would you be so bold as to pass up the above numbers with LBJ, Kobe, Matrix, KG, and Dirk off the board?  You would?  Hahaha, I call thee liar!  Of course you wouldn’t and if you actually disagree with me, you’re entitled.  You’re still wrong, but you’re entitled to be erroneous.  Agent Zero brings a bushel of points, triples, and ball thefts to your fantasy squad.  His dimes are nothing to sneeze at either, as well as his ability to convert at the line, which has trended up the past three seasons.  Also, considering the average of about a little over four boards grabbed a game in that time period, as well as the fact Arenas is a point guard, the little guy is doing some damage in the rebounds department.

What’s ugly is obviously the (in)accuracy from the field.  Yowza.  Last year’s 41.8% from the floor is downright horrendous and is only passable in that Arenas shoots a ton of shots, which translates into more and more points, potentially.  When you average close to 30 a game in the past two seasons, you’ll take the Mike Tyson punch to your FG% category gut.  But, hey, one can only hope Gil can return to the previous season’s 44.7 mark - don’t hold your breath, but one can hope.  However, in the end, you’re going to get one of the league leaders in points, triples, and steals.  I mean, not just top ten, I’m talking top five (possibly three) in each category.

“But, D, how about the knee injury he suffered last season?”

Well, I think that Arenas will be fine for the following reasons and get back to playing at the elite level he usually plays at:

1) Arenas is young (25 years old) and should be fine
2) Arenas is a hard worker and approaches the game like he wants to be the best player on the court each night
3) Arenas has always had a chip on his shoulder about people doubting him and he’s never not proven a point yet
4) Arenas is crazy… yes, he will do anything to get back on the court as one of the best, be it through voodoo, drinking Chuck Norris’ sweat, sleeping with Bea Arthur, or asking the government to make them give him a Steve Austin Six Million Dollar Man knee, Arenas will find a way.

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE AGENT ZERO!!!

Previous Picks This Round:

1.1. LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
1.2. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
1.3. Shawn Marion, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns
1.4. Kevin Garnett, SF/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves
1.5. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks