At Arizona, Gilbert Arenas made the bold prediction that he would be a starter by midseason. The starter at the time was Ruben Douglas, whom Gilbert once scored 49 points on in High School. Arenas ended up making good on his prediction and Douglas transferred to New Mexico a few weeks later. After the draft, determined to prove his doubters wrong, he again made the same prediction that he would be starting for the Golden State Warriors by midseason.
During his rookie year, playing behind Jason Richardson and Bobby Sura, Arenas saw very little playing time, often times, only in blowouts. Since he wasn’t getting any time on the court, he managed to get a key to the Golden State’s practice facility so he could work on his game at night. He also played a lot of pickup games in the local playgrounds despite being under contract because that would be the only time he could play competitively.
An injury to Larry Hughes later in the season gave Arenas and chance to start 30 games. He ended up averaging 10.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while learning the point guard position including scoring in double figures in 28 of the final 34 games. In April 2002, Arenas was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month after averaging 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.0 steals in nine games.
6 responses so far ↓
D Hill // Jan 23, 2007 at 6:40 am
Actually, Gilbert Arenas was never rookie of the year. He was however MVP of the rookie/sophomore all-star game. That could be what you’re thinking of. Although you only wrote “rookie of the” I’m assuming you meant to include the word year, which would be wrong.
James // Jan 31, 2007 at 3:48 am
says rookie of the month for the WC..maybe it got edited since you saw it. The soph MVP was next year. And the rookie to oppose him..Caron Butler
J-Arch24 // Feb 7, 2007 at 12:02 pm
both of u rookies just shut up..he is tha best and it dont matter if he got rookie of the year or the rookie/sophmore all star game…all i kno is that he is gonna get mvp his year..and beat steve nash…
gilberarenas#0 // Mar 16, 2007 at 8:56 pm
gilbert will be a contender for the MVP award, but steve nash also has a good chance winning it the past 2 years…like gilbert himself said, “That trophy is given out at the end of the year. This is 63 games into the season so you can’t do too much about it.” Also, for a guy only 25 years of age AND averaging closet o 30 points/game this season, he has many years to come to win MVP.
Jeanie // Apr 4, 2007 at 10:16 am
I think Agent 0 should win the MVP! Look how far he has taken his team even with all of its injuries and his own. Even though they are still fighting for playof position, he has succesfully made himself a star! Kobe is just a BALL HOG!!!!!!! No player can attempt 40-50 shots a game and not be a ball hog. He just knows his team can’t win without him so he takes control. Kobe shouldn’t even be in the running for it!!!!Gilbert definitely should! HIBACHI!
factorfiction // Feb 16, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Gilbert did not take the starting spot from Ruben Douglas. You can ask Gil himself about that. There was no way in hell Gilbert would ever beat Ruben out in a matter of weeks. The decision was due to personal differences with Lute Olsen and Ruben Douglas. Talent was not the issue!
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