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Well Arenas sounds like he is excited. I hope he can get back to his old self.Denton Chats With Arenas
By John Denton
December 18, 2010
ORLANDO – NBA players are legendary for having deep pockets and short arms, meaning they are usually about as apt to listen to country music in the locker room as they are to pay for something on their own.
But in the case of Gilbert Arenas, the former all-star point guard couldn’t get out of Washington and to Orlando on Saturday soon enough. So, within minutes of finding out Saturday that he had been traded from the Wizards to the Magic, Arenas called up an airline, arranged a flight and – get this – paid for it on his own.
``I went to go work out (in Washington) and found out that I’d been traded. From there, I just said, you know what let me just get out there (to Orlando) early,’’ Arenas said. ``I don’t know when their next game is, I don’t know if they’re playing tonight or not. So I just bought my own ticket and got here as soon as possible.’’
Arenas arrived at Amway Center just after halftime of the Magic’s 97-89 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. After meeting with Magic President of Basketball Operations/GM Otis Smith, a man who Arenas considers a mentor and a close confidant, the point guard went ahead with a workout on Orlando’s practice court.
Arenas met with a few select members of the media late Saturday night. Here’s a recap of his question-and-answer session:
QUESTION: We know you talk to Otis regularly, but what was your first reaction when you heard about the trade?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I’m excited. I do spend my summers here, and I do come to the playoff games. I actually didn’t think I’d be in a uniform. So I was very ecstatic about it.’’
QUESTION: You’re back on a team that’s in the championship hunt again. Does that inspire you?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I’m just glad to be back in the playoff hunt, I’ve been out of it for a while and just glad to be back in competitive basketball with a group of guys who now hope to win, so it’s just great.’’
QUESTION: Where were you and how exactly did you find out about the trade?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I was actually at the gym working out. I usually go to the gym three hours before the game. So I was there about 2 (p.m.), and some of the media guys were like, `I think you've been traded.’ And I was like, `Oh, serious?’ And then I just grabbed a pair of shoes and just left.’’
QUESTION: Do you still have a home here?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``My best friend John lives here, and I just stay with him. Yeah, I work out at a YMCA and just stay here with him and his wife.’’
QUESTION: Otis has talked about you like you are his son and that you guys talk sometimes a couple of times a week. Explain that dynamic between the two of you.
GILBERT ARENAS: ``It’s a reunion. Me, him and Jason Richardson. When I found out Jason was coming, too, I said, `Oh, we’re back. It took this long.’ But we’re very excited to be here and just want to get back to winning.’’
QUESTION: Looking at the team from afar, do you see how you will fit in?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``Their plays are easy. If you have the open shot take it. If not, pass to Dwight (Howard). I’m just here to score and make plays for others.’’
QUESTION: What was today like for you, being in another city and getting traded?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I went to go work out and found out that I’d been traded. From there, I just said, you know what let me just get out there (to Orlando) early. I don’t know when their next game is, I don’t know if they’re playing tonight or not. So I just bought my own ticket and got here as soon as possible.’’
John Denton
QUESTION: Can you play point guard and shooting guard at various times in the game? Also, what will it be like playing with Dwight Howard?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I’ve never played with a big guy who’s as dominant down there. So that’s a new experience. I think it will help out me a lot. I don’t have to take a pounding like I did in the past. But it’s great, I can play the one or the two. I know my percentage doesn’t show I’m a great shooter, but I am a great outside shooter.’’
QUESTION: How much will having a big man like Howard make life easier for you on the outside?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``Yeah, because they have to double him down there. There’s no way you can just play him one-on-one, so they'll have to double him. And I think I can make it easier on him and others and get to the basket. So it should be great, great chemistry.’’
QUESTION: You had two 30-point games so far this season and one of them was against the Magic. Was that an audition of sorts for you?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I had to prove a point (laughter). I had to prove a point that I can still go, because he (Otis) was talking bad about me this summer, saying, `I don’t think you have it in your legs anymore.’ So I had to go out there and show him.’’
QUESTION: Do you still have it? Can Gilbert be who you used to be a couple of years ago?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I think it was more of a confidence thing with me, because I knew I wasn’t the man there anymore. So it was like, I was just docile. And now Otis says you’re going to be a main role, just play and be you. So it’s like, OK.’’
QUESTION: So did you come straight in and get a workout in tonight?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``Yes, I got a workout in tonight. I was here probably right after halftime, maybe right after halftime.’’
QUESTION: Did you see you see a trade happening eventually in Washington?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I sensed something when I was coming off the bench. The excuse was that they needed scoring off the bench. My questions was, `Where’s the scoring from the starting five?’ I figured they were probably shipping me out because I was playing well and some people would probably have some interest in me.’’
QUESTION: Considering everything that happened in Washington with your suspension and benching, do you in a sense almost feel free or reborn?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``Yeah, this is a new beginning for me. This is a true new beginning. Changing my number was a new beginning, but this is a real new beginning with a new city, new people and new team and I get to start fresh.’’
QUESTION: Can you fall in there Monday night and play right away?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I’m a basketball player and watching these guys play in June every year, I basically already know how they play.’’
QUESTION: What will it be like to be with a team where you don’t have to be `The Man’ and carry the load every night?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``It’s great so that I don’t have to take that pounding every night that I was used to in the past. They have players here that know how to play and know how to win. You’re adding four new players who can score and create and it will be great. Plus, you’re getting Turkoglu back, and that really helps.’’
QUESTION: Have you talked to Stan about starting or whether you will be coming off the bench here?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``No, we haven’t had much of a discussion about what’s going on. But Jason Richardson is playing great right now and Turkoglu is playing great. I see them two starting at the (shooting guard) and (small forward). And since I’ve been coming off the bench this season so I’m really accustomed with coming off. … I was coming off the bench for Washington, so I’m used to it.’’
QUESTION: You got your Barak Obama tattoos here in Orlando a couple of years ago, right?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I got all of them here. All of my tattoos came from here. Because this is where I spend most of my time and I know the city pretty well.’’
QUESTION: Did it ever dawn on you last June or the year before when you were here that you might want to someday play for the Magic?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``I used to complain to Otis when I was a free agent and the last six or seven years since he’s been here to, `Come and get me.’ Because this was my favorite team growing up. I was a Penny Hardaway fan. That’s going by my number, No. 1.’’
QUESTION: Do you still have family in Tampa?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``Most of my family is in Tampa, Orlando and Miami.’’
QUESTION: Otis regards you as a son. How do you regard Otis?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``As a father figure. You know, when I was in Golden State being a rookie he was the one who kept me positive. He would say, `I know it’s a dark tunnel now, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. That always stuck with me and kept me working hard.’’
QUESTION: I remember talking with you at the pre-draft camp (in 2001) and you really wanted the Magic to draft you, right?
GILBERT ARENAS: ``It was because I was a Penny Hardaway fan. It was funny when I played in Los Angeles all of my friends would say, `I hope you get traded to Orlando, your favorite team or some other team. It was funny because as soon as I got traded I thought, ``You’re there! Now pick No. 1. Yeah, that’s (No. 1) is what I’m going to wear for Penny Hardaway.’’
Clark #55, JRich #23, Hedo #15
