Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas still isn't himself as he works to return from numerous knee injuries in recent seasons.

He says he doesn't feel pressure to be dominant, but rather when people mention his six-year, $111 million contract.

"It's only pressure whenever somebody mentions my name, they mention one-eleven. They don't just call me a basketball player. They put a number behind it, like that defines who I am," Arenas said. "There is no pressure playing the game of basketball. I'm a basketball player.

"I haven't played this game in two years. I haven't been in situations where I get to take game-winners. I can't take game-winners in practice. I can't shoot free throws in practice that simulates the game. There's no crowd. There's no nothing, so I'm learning as I go," added Arenas. "I'm getting back and feeling the vibe again. People don't understand that. It's like, if you're a bodybuilder and you stop lifting for two years, then go back in there and try to lift 400 pounds, you'll break your arm. I'm happy where I am. I see progress [23] games into the season. I know where I need to be."

Arenas is averaging 21.0 points, 6.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds this season.