His 32-point, seven-assist effort in Saturday's 123-104 home victory against the New Jersey Nets left him with season averages of 28 points and 6.7 assists.

Arenas' cuts are making folks forget the knee surgeries that sidelined the guard for 149 games the past two seasons. Playing back-to-back games this weekend for the first time in three years didn't seem to bother him, either.

"I feel good," said Arenas, who has chosen to have a lower profile in the news media this season.

That's contrary to his profile in the system of first-year Wizards coach Flip Saunders, who wants the ball in Arenas' hands as often as possible. Arenas likes having the choice of shooting or passing the ball and seems more intent on the latter. He's trying to involve new teammates Randy Foye and Mike Miller in separate turns at shooting guard.

Any fears Saunders had about Arenas' stamina were allayed during training camp and the preseason, which is why the coach wasn't surprised by Arenas' ability to handle back-to-back games in Atlanta and Washington.

"Gil's very committed," Saunders said. "He's very serious right now, doing what he needs to do to keep his body at the level he needs to play at. When I saw him in the summertime, I thought he was back then, and he continues to get better and better and better. I don't think he's shown any effects quickness-wise or (in) anything he's been able to do."

Saunders noted that Foye's arrival (in a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves with Miller ) has helped relieve some of the burden on Arenas. It allows Arenas to think about the shots he wants to take or how to move the ball.

"Before, you'd just pass and cut and when you get the ball, you go score," Arenas said. "Now, I'm sitting there with the ball longer than I have the last six years of my career, so that's something I've got to adjust to."

Enlarge By Dale Zanine, US Presswire Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas is off to a fast start in his return from knee surgery, averaging 28 points and 6.7 assists in three games.