Arenas did not have destructive injuries

Between April 4, 2007, and September 17, 2008, Arenas had three separate surgeries on his left knee. The first two were to repair torn menisci, and the third was to “remove lingering debris, which has caused continual pain and discomfort”. Individually, these are probably not career-ending. Cumulatively, it is a different story.

He does not have arthritis and his cartilage is still functional.

Gilbert Arenas has arthritis, according to GILBERT ARENAS. “Anybody who has arthritis says, ‘I know when it’s raining’. Well, when we’re flying over cold cities, I can feel it.” More specifically, Arenas suffers from osteoarthritis, which results from the breakdown of cartilage. By definition, his cartilage is not still functional.

Gil’s surgery’s … [are] not all related to the same issue to differing complications

As you see, all of his surgeries do in fact result from the meniscus tears (the menusci are specific pieces of cartilage in the knee). Cartilage damage is scary stuff. I’m sure you’ve heard of microfracture surgery; the whole reason athletes undergo this risky procedure is a desperate attempt to fix cartilage damage. Cartilage injuries can absolutely be career enders – look at Brandon Roy.

Gil’s surgery’s have all been successful

What makes you say that? The fact that his cartilage absolutely is ruined? The fact that he definitely has arthritis? The fact that he’s played absolutely awfully since he returned from the surgeries? And then there’s the empirical evidence. Just look at him try for a simple layup, and you immediately see a player that is completely robbed of both explosion and lift. No explosion and lift? That’s not what you’d expect from a 29-year-old player. But it certainly is something you’d expect from a player with knees that are old enough in basketball and injury years to have their own hip replacement procedures.

Gilbert Arenas has absolutely had destructive injuries, has arthritis and cartilage damage, clearly has no explosion and lift, and all of this is permanent. He’s done, drained, spent, used up, and finished as a productive basketball player. Anyone who thinks otherwise is insane, wrong, and Otis Smith.

Q.E.D.