Gilbert Arenas

Deservedly confident after closing a December that offered 12 30-point games, a 34.1-point average, and a Player of the Month nod, Gilbert Arenas entered January 15, 2007’s clash against the Utah Jazz with a bold prediction of how his night would conclude: 37 points and a game-winner. 51 points and a Martin Luther King Day single-game scoring record later, it became clear that the Washington Wizards’ superstar, similarly, was a big dreamer. Guaranteed overtime even with a miss, Arenas, as he explained it, went “for the gusto,” challenging Deron Williams with a hang dribble, between-the-leg combination before elevating into the game-clinching pull-up. The later-named All-Star starter’s performance wasn’t without struggle, as Arenas battled through a shoulder injury that required heat, ice, and stabilization, alongside both a 16-point deficit and an extraordinary showing from his 2001 NBA Draft classmate. Epitomizing his “Hibachi” nickname, Arenas’ only inaccuracy came in underselling as his own excellence as he grilled Utah through 51 points (on 14-of-29), three rebounds, five assists, one steal, and outstanding accuracy from both deep (7-of-12) and the charity stripe (16-of-17). The masterpiece earned “M-V-P” chants, a video game cover, and ultimately, an NBA MLK Day-high for the ensuing nine seasons.

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