WASHINGTON (AP) -Gilbert Arenas has been practicing full-speed with the Washington Wizards for more than a week as he works his way back from his latest knee surgery.
The extent of Arenas’ participation had been kept under wraps, but he spilled the beans Tuesday when he told The Washington Post: “I’m out there feeling like the old Gilbert Arenas again.”
“I’m running, jumping, dunking, feeling good. No pain, no swelling,” Arenas said, according to a posting on the newspaper’s Web site. “My balance is back, my speed is back. The only thing I have to get used to again is being around other bodies out there on the court. I’m working on getting timing back. The only thing I’m not doing is playing in games.”
Team spokesman Scott Hall confirmed that Arenas began practicing with the team last week, when the Wizards reconvened following the All-Star break, and has gradually increased his workload since then. Interim coach Ed Tapscott said Monday that Arenas had started to do “some shooting and some running up and down the floor” during practice.
ury that required three operations in a span of 18 months – which also means the three-time All-Star has yet to play since signing a six-year, $111 million contract with the Wizards last summer.
The Wizards have said they expect Arenas to play at some point this season, but Arenas isn’t so sure. Washington (13-43) has the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
“I don’t want to promise anything, I’m not even ready to think about that right now,” Arenas told the Post. “The way I look at it: I rushed back twice and got hurt again twice so this time, I’m going to take my time and make sure.”
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