Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Gilbert Arenas Explains Why He Would Average 40 Points In Today’s NBA

Over the past few years, a number of former NBA players have started to evaluate how they would fare in today’s NBA. Normally, these players would come up and conclude that they would definitely have it easier, pointing out the difference in style of play, rules and physicality.

The list of retired players sharing that same belief is just starting to grow, with former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas as the latest player to be on board. 

Arenas was a certified bucket-getter back in the early-to-mid 2000s. During his only All-Star years from 2004-05 to 2006-07 NBA season, Arenas tallied 27.7 points per game on 43.2% shooting from the field. ‘Hibachi’ peaked at 29.3 points per game in 2006 and never averaged 30 points a game in any season of his career, but he believes he would average 40 points a game if he played in today’s NBA.

Per NBC Sports:

“What’s James Harden averaging? 36? [I would average] 40. Easy 40, too,” Arenas told NBC Sports Washington’s Chris Miller. “Because the thing you’ve got to remember is that he’s averaging 36 and dribbling before each move 17 times. I didn’t need to dibble. I just go score and get quick buckets.”

“The reason that I will average 40 is the fact there’s no Shaq, Alonzo Mourning, Yao Ming back there. I don’t know who’s protecting this rim, but I’m pretty sure a 6-foot-5 power forward ain’t stopping me from getting to the bucket,” Arenas said.

“The fact that there’s no protection on the drives makes it so much easier for me,” Arenas said. “They’re playing small-ball, I’m going to eat through small-ball. You need two big people to keep me out of that lane.”