"Tell them … tell the team to bear down"

• Hawks’ eight-game run shows lack of consistency (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Bibby still drowning out the noise in Boston (WEEI Sports Network)
• Bibby reaches 5,000 assists (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

• Iguodala would be price of obtaining McGrady (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Rockets like Iguodala (Hoops World)
• NBA trade rumor: Tracy McGrady for Andre Iguodala and youth (Dime magazine)

Things were so easy for Gilbert Arenas in the first 13 minutes of the game that he was scoring buckets off inbounds passes – without dribbling.

With 11 minutes, 10 seconds left in the second quarter, the Wizards took the ball out along their sideline. Arenas set himself on the right block. A second later, he was catching a pass leading him toward the rim and knocking the ball off the backboard for his seventh field goal of the first half.

In those first 13 minutes, Arenas scored 17 points.

Washington, mostly because of its shooting guard, broke out to a 9-2 lead. At the end of the first quarter, the Wizards were ahead by 27-21, and Arenas – guarded at times by Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, and once or twice by Andre Iguodala – finished with three three-pointers and 15 points.

Arizona’s current team might be struggling, but most of its former players are carrying the flag for coach Sean Miller in the NBA. None of them played for Miller, of course, but they are providing the coach a good example for potential recruits on the benefits of attending Arizona.

With more of a recruiting budget — and bigger name of Arizona vs. Xavier in recent college hoops history — Miller figures to continue Arizona’s trend of producing NBA talent.

What’s your opinion of the top story thus far among ex-UA players in the NBA? Gilbert Arenas’ strong return from a knee injury? Andre Iguodala’s numerous SportsCenter moments, including the length-of-the-court heave that did not count? Channing Frye’s coming out party, especially from three-point land with the hometown Suns? Chase Budinger’s surprising emergence as a second-round draft pick with the Rockets? Mike Bibby and Jason Terry still factors in the league 13 years after winning the NCAA title? Richard Jefferson’s struggles with the Spurs? Jerryd Bayless’ rumors of wanting to be traded from Portland? Jordan Hill’s unproductive rookie season with the Knicks?

OAKLAND, CALIF. — He was driving into the lane, hitting finger rolls and off-balanced runners off the glass. He was completing crossover dribbles, stepping back and draining three-pointers, and confidently whirling back with his hand raised high. And, he was setting up teammates with open jumpers and layups.

More importantly, Gilbert Arenas was smiling, having fun and cracking jokes with his teammates. Arenas was playing freely and delivered the type of flashback performance for a full game that the Washington Wizards have only seen glimpses of ever since his left knee betrayed him more than two years ago. Feeling unburdened back in his native West Coast, Arenas erupted for season-highs of 45 points and 13 assists as he led the Wizards to a 118-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on Friday.

With Trevor Ariza serving a one-game suspension, rookie Chase Budinger got the first start of his career Tuesday.

“It’s pretty cool, I guess,” Budinger said. “It’s unfortunate that Trevor is not able to play. Now I can at least say I’ve started a game in the NBA.”

Budinger, a 6-7 small forward averaging 8.6 points on 41.2 percent shooting, said there was an adjustment to coming off the bench as a rookie, but did not anticipate difficulties getting used to starting again.

“Your whole life you’re a starter,” Budinger said. “All of us have started on our high school, club teams, college teams. It’s an adjustment coming off the bench, not the other way around.”

Indeed, Budinger had little trouble. He posted a double-double with 16 points on six of 11 shooting to go with 12 rebounds in the 107-96 victory over Detroit.