After Long Public Silence, Arenas Turns Up the Volume

For 17 days, Gilbert Arenas had maintained a public silence that I can only compare to Joe Theismann announcing about 20 years ago he would not speak to the media for an entire season. Sports Illustrated reacted to Joe's declaration by putting his picture on its cover -- with a piece of tape across his mouth.

After practice on Friday, Gilbert broke his media silence, about 24 hours before the Wizards' annual first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here was Gilbert bouncing through the doors of the practice court, asking the gathering of scribes and broadcasters: "Is the media ready to talk?"

Of course, Theismann's verbal boycott lasted about as long as Gilbert's 17-day moratorium before Joe resumed his loquacious pregame, postgame and in-game oratory that eventually resulted in a successful career in broadcasting.

While Coach Eddie Jordan cautioned that "We won't be seeing Gil being Gil" in this series, at least off the court Friday, Gil was very much being Gil: smiling, bright-eyed, assessing the verbal potshots between the Wizards and Cavs and proclaiming, "I live for this."

Since returning April 2 after missing 66 games following a second left knee surgery in November, Arenas, 26, has played only off the bench. He has been more assist man than scorer, trying to blend into a cohesive team that stayed in playoff contention despite his absence.

Last year, when Jordan had to prepare to face the Cleveland LeBrons without the injured Arenas and Caron Butler, he said, "The playoffs are about stars." A four-game sweep by the Cavs proved Jordan prophetic. Now the sides are even, with Arenas saying: "When I come off the bench, it's trouble. I get buckets.

"We're all excited. I can't wait to get out there. I live for this."

During Arenas's recent silence, you had to wonder why? Was it a result of his looming decision on whether to opt out of his contract or remain with the Wizards? Or was it a concern for his twice surgically repaired left knee? Or even his relationship with teammates? All complicated issues. "We want to keep the core of our team together," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said Friday. Of Arenas's rehab, Grunfeld added, "It's quite incredible what he's done."

So, Arenas was asked, why the silence?

"I just didn't want to be asked the same questions: 'Are you opting out? How's the knee?' That stuff."

So is he opting out? "Who knows?" Arenas replied, laughing, the sparkle back in his eyes, the TV lights shining on him once again.

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