Tom Knott: Arenas not ready to talk this way

Those who wonder how a team could go from the dregs to the upper tier of teams in a season forget how it came to be with the Spurs.

With David Robinson missing all but six games in the 1996-97 season, the Spurs staggered through a 20-62 season. The Spurs did earn a bit of good fortune for their troubles: Tim Duncan, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft in 1997.

With Robinson healthy the next season and Duncan adjusting to the NBA at an accelerated rate, the Spurs compiled a 56-26 mark. They won their first of four championships in 1999, just two years after posting their franchise-worst record.

The Wizards do not have two big men in the fashion of Robinson and Duncan. But they have three All-Stars, a decent enough big man in Brendan Haywood, two nice additions in Randy Foye and Mike Miller and their deepest bench since the core was put together.

It is not championship material. It is a tier down from that if healthy.

Talking about it won’t aid in the team’s health, won’t exorcise the demons in Arenas.

He’ll probably talk at length the moment he feels he is truly back.