Wizards G Arenas finally addresses media

Sep 27, 2008 - 9:59 PM RICHMOND, Virginia (Ticker) -- Washington Wizards star guard Gilbert Arenas answered questions about his surgically repaired knee Saturday, one day after being fined by the NBA for declining to make himself available to the media.

Arenas, who signed a six-year, $111 million contract this offseason, underwent arthoscopic surgery on his left knee 10 days ago and will miss at least the first month of the upcoming regular season.

It marked the third time in the last 17 months that Arenas needed to have surgery on the knee.

Arenas, 26, did not address reporters during the Wizards' designated media day Friday, prompting the NBA to fine him and the team $15,000 each for failing to comply with the league's media requirement rules.

But one day later, Arenas attempted to explain his actions as the Wizards opened their training camp at Virginia Commonwealth University.

"I shouldn't be grabbing all the spotlight," Arenas said Saturday. "If I'm sitting here grabbing up all the attention and there's people healthy, that starts to weigh on people. So I figured if I back out of it, (I would) let them get the attention."

A three-time All-Star, Arenas played in just 13 regular-season games in 2007-08, averaging 19.4 points and 5.1 assists. The Los Angeles native did not sound optimistic when he was asked about his latest surgical setback.

"The frustrating part is when you show signs of coming back, but you can't do too much or it sets you back further," said Arenas, who has averaged 22.8 points per game over his seven-year career. "So I'm (thinking) 'When is this ever going to end?' When can I just go out there and play?"