March 11, 2010 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Gilbert Arenas files for change to jersey number 6

The NBA career of Gilbert Arenas hasn’t gone well in recent seasons. He played just 13 games in 2007-08, only two in 2008-09, and while this season he was averaging 22.6 points (41.1% FG) and 7.2 assists in 32 games, the Washington Wizards were doing nothing but losing, and then came along the season-long suspension due to toying with firearms in the locker room.

So, Arenas is reportedly going to make a change. Perhaps merely symbolic. But the way things have gone lately, any change is probably a good thing.

According to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, Arenas has submitted paperwork to the league to change from jersey #0 and become #6.

This likely means the end of his nickname, Agent Zero. Perhaps a new nickname will come with future success.

The Washington Post reports: “The No. 6 is significant because Arenas’s birthday is Jan. 6 – which is also the day that the NBA gave Arenas an indefinite suspension for his behavior after it was revealed that he brought guns to the locker room at Verizon Center in a dispute with teammate Javaris Crittenton.”

Jeff Green wants contract extension

Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman reports:

Jeff Green on Thursday expressed his desire to sign a contract extension this summer and continue his career with the Thunder.

“I’d love to,” Green told The Oklahoman. “It’s a great thing going here.”

The Thunder can re-sign Green to an extension of up to five years. Under NBA rules, teams can begin negotiations with free agents on July 1. Green, however, has become lost in the shadows of Kevin Durant, the team’s other third-year forward who also is eligible for an extension and recently voiced his feelings for wanting to remain in Oklahoma City.

Pistons could someday move back downtown

The Detroit Free Press reports:

Mayor Dave Bing this morning expressed optimism that the Detroit Pistons could move back downtown.

“I think we can get the Pistons downtown,” Bing said during a meeting with media executives.

Karen Dumas, Bing’s director of communications, said the mayor is hopeful that the dynamics – the potential sale of the Pistons and the Red Wings needing a new home – could bring a new arena to the city’s business district.

Monta Ellis back pain began in high school

Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reports:

Guard Monta Ellis revealed Wednesday that he was born with a small hole at the base of his spine, a condition that he says started causing back pain in high school and still is a problem periodically.

The Warriors said the condition is called spondylolysis, a defect that occurs in up to 6 percent of the population and one that doesn’t cause future concerns for the team.

Ellis was immobilized for the better part of the past 12 days but is “leaning” toward playing tonight. “Sometimes it bothers me, but not to the point where I can’t move.”