Washington ? Gilbert Arenas is showing signs early this could be his big breakout year. As much as Arenas and Washington coach Eddie Jordan played down the significance of Saturday night’s 110-95 victory over the Spurs, in which Arenas scored an NBA season-high 43 points, it’s likely others around the league took note.

Arenas “was unstoppable,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “And, along with him playing so great, the team followed his lead.”

Installed as captain, Arenas is putting his stamp on the Wizards in a way that makes last season’s All-Star nod and drought-ending playoff berth seem like merely a start.

He entered Sunday fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 28.5 points, and he has reached 30 in half of Southeast Division leader Washington’s games.

With Caron Butler providing energy and results as a reserve and 10 players getting at least 121â2 minutes a game, the Wizards are deep and versatile. The Detroit Pistons are the only other team ranked in the top seven in average points scored and allowed.

“We have guys who fill their roles, and we have pretty much a perfect fit with guys that come off the bench,” Jordan said. “They’re both defensive- and offensive-minded, so we’ve got a really well-balanced team.”