Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Ranking the 7 worst Wizards starters of the Gilbert Arenas era

By Cem Yolbulan

CLEVELAND - APRIL 30: Caron Butler #3 of the Washington Wizards celebrates what turned out to be the game winning shot with Roger Mason #8, Brendan Haywood #33 and Gilbert Arenas #0 while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 30, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio. Washington won the game 88-87 but trail in the series 2-3. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - APRIL 30: Caron Butler #3 of the Washington Wizards celebrates what turned out to be the game winning shot with Roger Mason #8, Brendan Haywood #33 and Gilbert Arenas #0 while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 30, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio. Washington won the game 88-87 but trail in the series 2-3. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Darius Songaila

The Lithuanian big man signed with the Washington Wizards in the 2006 offseason following a couple of decent seasons with the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls. Yet, he wasn’t able to take the next step as a player during his three seasons with the Wizards.

Songaila was acquired by Washington with the hopes of adding some versatility to their big-man rotation. The Gilbert Arenas era Wizards regularly struggled to get offensive production from their centers as they usually played offensively limited big men like Etan Thomas, Brendan Haywood, and Michael Ruffin. Songaila was supposed to solve that issue.

However, Songaila brought other problems. As an unathletic, undersized big man, he created bigger issues on the defensive end that he solved on offense. Plus, he wasn’t a good enough offensive player to make up for his defensive shortcomings.

He rarely passed the ball, didn’t shoot any threes, never got to the free-throw line, and was a mediocre finisher around the basket. The fact that the Wizards relied so heavily on him for two straight postseasons helps explain why they weren’t able to make any noise during the Arenas era.

Songaila finished his Wizards tenure with averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 19.5 minutes per game in 194 appearances.

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