Despite Upgraded Arsenal, Washington firing blanks in 3025 (65 views)

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Washington, D.C. (AP) - The Nation's Capital was buzzing with excitement this past offseason when the struggling Bullets made the biggest splash in free agency, prying reigning league MVP Gilbert Arenas away from divisional foe Carolina. Arenas' move came as a surprise to many due to the current state of the Bullets as well as the fact he could earn more money by resigning with the Cougars.

After adding Arenas, the Bullets signed another former Cougar, #2 pick Eddy Curry who joined the Cougars in the same rookie class where Arenas was selected 10th. After failing to develop the way the Cougars envisioned, Curry had been released from his contract with the Cougars and signed by the Charlotte Hornets where he had a bounceback season in 3024. After an administrative error and basic misunderstanding of the CBA rendered the Hornets unable to bring back Curry as they planned, Curry hit the open market and joined forces with Arenas once again, this time with the Bullets.

Washington also added veteran big man Peter John Ramos and still had J.R. Smith after claiming him off waivers late in 3024. The new look Bullets generated a lot of excitement and fans had high hopes that they could contend for the Atlantic Division in 3025. However, three fourths of the way through the 3025 season, Washington finds themselves at an even 29-29 and in the 8th seed out East.

Both Arenas and Curry are having disappointing seasons compared to their 3024 campaigns. A quick look at the Win Shares data reveals both are among the 9 players with worst differentials in WS/48 this season compared to last. Arenas checks in at 2nd worst in TMBSL, a whopping -.083 worse WS/48 compared to 24. Curry is the 9th worst at -.049 and fellow offseason acquisition Peter John Ramos is 5th worst at -.055.

In Arenas’ MVP push of 3024, he averaged 29.6 points per game and scored at a rather impressive 1.182 points per true shot attempt. Thus far in 3025, he is averaging 25.8 points per game on a subpar 1.082 points per true shot attempt. His assists are down slightly, his turnovers are up slightly, and his rebounds are down slightly. In fact, the only area Gilbert seems to have improved upon his 3024 season are in his steals per contest.

So three offseason additions, and all three players among the top 9 players having down seasons in 3025. A wild coincidence or something in the water in D.C.?

The Cougars and Bullets have had two head to head matchups thus far with Carolina winning both by margins of 22 and 29 points respectively. Arenas has struggled in the matchups going 5-16 for 11 points in the first matchup and following it up with an 11-24 effort for 23 points in the rematch. Curry has perhaps fared worse, shooting a combined 7-23 (30.4%) and averaging 8.5 games per contest against the Cougars.

Arenas and Curry will get their third chance at vengeance against the former team in Sim 10 as they play host to Carolina on Day 100 of the season.