Dave Carey and John Keim, The Examiner
2008-05-02 07:00:00.0
Current rank: # 7,140 of 8,079

WASHINGTON -

Here’s what the Wizards want: a healthy Gilbert Arenas, giving them an explosive player capable of changing games. They love that about Arenas — and still expect that’s who they’ll have in October.

But, for now, not having him could work out for the best.

And this is why:

Closure » The Wizards no longer have to wonder if Arenas will play and how much he can play. It saves the coaching staff, which appreciated his willingness, from having to prepare for several scenarios.

And an injured Arenas didn’t take on a lesser job.

“Everyone assumes the roles they’re familiar with,” one Wizards source said. “Our guys are used to that, where it all starts with Gil. It creates confusion, even down to taking the last shot. ... now [coach] Eddie [Jordan] doesn’t have to wonder. He’s not an option so you move on.”

Said another team source, “It takes a lot of pressure off.”

Caron Butler » Minus Arenas, the ball moved more to him — he got hot at the end of Game 4 but did not get the ball enough. And minus Arenas, Butler knew he had to take charge late Wednesday.

But someone will have to give Butler help. Though it’s doubtful he’d say it, team sources say his back remains bothersome.

Antonio Daniels » There might not be a better backup point guard in the NBA — Daniels performed well as the starter last postseason, but he had less help and got worn down.

Daniels also defends better against Delonte West; Arenas was slow recovering to harass West on the game-winning three Sunday. Daniels might have gotten there.

“Gil doesn’t spend the energy on defense,” the source said.

“He has a ring,” one Wizards source said, “so he understands what playoff basketball is all about — getting to the foul line. And Darius Songaila has played in situations where he’s had batteries thrown at him [in Europe]. All that helps him.”

Will Big Brown coast to victory? 

What can Big Brown — named for UPS because of his owner’s ties to the company — do for you? Apparently make money. That’s the word from the analysts who will be at the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Here’s who the experts told The Examiner’s Jim Williams about who they like:

» Legendary announcer Dave Johnson (calling the race on Sirius Radio): “It is Big Brown and then all the “little browns.” Clearly he is the fastest horse in the field and in his three races he has posted times that would have won the Derby most years. The downside is that while he has won three races they are the only three races that he has competed in. So it remains to be seen how he will handle 19 other horses on the track and 140,000 screaming fans.”

» NBC analyst Gary Stevens: “It looks like a one horse race for Big Brown if he can follow up his Florida Derby with the same effort in the Kentucky Derby.”

» NBC on-track reporter Donna Barton-Brothers: “Big Brown has proven he’s the fastest while Pyro and Colonel John have been battle-tested. I can’t see any of the remaining 17 horses that will be running in the Derby as being good enough to beat any of these top three.”

Not so devil of a time for these Rays

Tampa closer Troy Percival won a World Series title with the Angels. Remember that when you then read the following words.

“I’ve been in all kinds of clubhouses,” Percival said, “but this is the most talented one I have been in.”

At 15-12 entering Thursday’s game against the Orioles, this is the latest the Rays have ever been three games over .500.

One reason: journeyman Eric Hinske.

“He works every at-bat,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He’s been clutch.”

The infielder who has changed teams five times in the past five years has provided a veteran influence for a club which never finished the regular season above .500. Hinske is batting .292 with six home runs and 15 RBI. A source close to the team likened the 30-year-old to other ‘diamonds in the rough’ the Rays have found during the past two seasons such as Ty Wiggington and Carlos Pena.

Column inches

Opinions from around the nation on the hottest topics in sports:

“The Mets have spent so much time in first place the last few seasons they act sometimes as if they have won something. Until the Mets win something, or show they can take a punch, they are like some baseball version of that old Texas expression, the one about all hat and no cattle.”

— Mike Lupica on the New York Mets after a 13-1 loss Wednesday to lowly Pittsburgh (New York Daily News).

“LeBron James is a wonderful player, probably the best in the NBA. There are times when the ball needs to be in his hands, and when the Cavs need to run the play Delonte West described as ‘everybody get out of the way and let LeBron do his thing.’ But not every time.”

— Patrick McManamon on Cleveland’s lack of offensive plays (Akron Beacon Journal).

“He is the town’s best story, the way Jimmy Rollins was last summer, the way Allen Iverson was on the way to the NBA Finals, the way Keith Primeau was the last time a hockey team from this town had a run like this. Martin Biron has all the magical little story lines working now.”

— Sam Donnellon on the outstanding playoff performance of Flyers goalie Martin Biron (Philadelphia Daily News).

“To some, the [Brett] Favre jersey has become the unofficial Wisconsin uniform. Granted, Wisconsin isn’t the most fashionable state, but I’m willing to bet that far more Wisconsinites own a Favre jersey than this season’s must-have — the classic trench. ... Fashion isn’t really about sense. Fashion is the outward reflection of your soul.”

— Jennifer L.W. Fink on how quarterback Brett Favre’s jersey will never go out of style (Wisconsin Journal Sentinel).

On the record

“We’re going to send Jessica Simpson to the Democrat National Convention.”

— President Bush, apparently a Dallas Cowboys fan, joking about the Jessica Simpson jinx at a ceremony for the New York Giants.

“I just hope my induction will serve as an example to persevere. I’ve been fired and ridiculed and downgraded.”

— Lou Holtz after learning of his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Just asking

1 Anyone still think LeBron James gets every call at the end of games? Even if it was a legit no-call?

2 How bad will the Yankees be if their young pitchers continue to struggle? Are they finally headed for a mediocre season?

3 Does anyone in New York really care that Mario Manningham smoked pot, as long as he produces for the Giants? Or have we forgotten about LT?

4 What date did you get in the Pacman-Jones-gets-arrested-again pool?

5 What are you most excited about: Jim Zorn’s first minicamp or Wizards-Cavs Game 6?