Arenas suspended indefinitely

[Blake]

No, I'm following the American due process method of innocent until proven guilty.

the nba is not a court of law

[Blake]

So based on an assumption you have no evidence to support, Gilbert should be punished?

he should be punished based on the fact he had guns in a lockerroom.

not sure what part about that you're not getting.

[mojorizen7]

I'm sure that fat white sportswriters will point to this as proof that the NBA is overrun by thugs, but I think it's hilarious that a couple of soft millionaire athletes like to play at being gangsta.

Who?
Maybe the skinny black writers should speak LOUDER than they already do so as to get noticed over the fat white writers(say that 3 times fast).

This is an ignorant take. Come on Fin....:wakeup

[Findog]

Who?
Maybe the skinny black writers should speak LOUDER than they already do so as to get noticed over the fat white writers(say that 3 times fast).

This is an ignorant take. Come on Fin....:wakeup

It's a story that writes itself: "NBA has a thug problem on its hands," when in reality these are a couple of pampered millionaire athletes playing at being "hard."

[z0sa]

It's a story that writes itself: "NBA has a thug problem on its hands," when in reality these are a couple of pampered millionaire athletes playing at being "hard."

I'm not sure how you know this. Just because they say it was a joke, it doesn't seem so. And Stern doesn't seem at all pleased about what it does for the NBA's image either, judging from his actions.

[Armando]

Gilbert is a great player but he did this to himself. If he would have kept a low profile and just played ball he will still be on the court. I know he is eccentric and all but you would think his inner circle (father at least) would have told him to knock it off. And calling Stern "mean" did not help. Still I highly doubt that Stern and the Wizards will be able to void his contract. If Artest and coach choker Sprewell kept thier contracts I don't see them voiding Arenes's deal. However the next CBA talks will be interesting.

[Findog]

I'm not sure how you know this. Just because they say it was a joke, it doesn't seem so. And Stern doesn't seem at all pleased about what it does for the NBA's image either, judging from his actions.

Arenas didn't get suspended for bringing guns to the Verizon Center. He got suspended for twittering about it:


"The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action.

"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

[ehz33satx]

but why am I supposed to condemn Arenas and support Stern's decision? Can anybody provide a coherent answer to the last question?

You managed to boil this down to this being about you and what you think? I don't feel Stern gives a f*ck about what "Findog" thinks. Give it a rest already.

[Findog]

You managed to boil this down to this being about you and what you think?

How has this incident lessened your enjoyment of the NBA? Do you feel personally offended or outraged by Gilbert Arenas' behavior? Will you sleep easier at night knowing that David Stern will not tolerate players twittering about a serious matter?

[Armando]

That said, I disagree with the suspension. Arenas was starting to play better, I had lots of fun last night watching him. The guy is healthy and in form so rarely and now one won't be able to see him playing even when he's in one of those moments? Fine the man, let him play.

And, let's be honest here: Stern didn't suspend him for the weapons episode, he suspended him for his antics last night (which I found funny, but I'm a fan of humor noir) and his unwillingness to shut up.


You managed to boil this down to this being about you and what you think? I don't feel Stern gives a f*ck about what "Findog" thinks. Give it a rest already.



Stern had no choice. Arenas's antics on twitter and pre-game routines did not help his cause.

[BUMP]

They have computers in San Antonio? :lol

[Findog]

They have computers in San Antonio? :lol

Yeah, they finally got dialup. All you have to do is unplug the rotary phone and then plug in the komputor cable.

[z0sa]

Arenas didn't get suspended for bringing guns to the Verizon Center. He got suspended for twittering about it:

You honestly think he was suspended indefinitely only for twittering about the incident? That the incident itself has nothing to do with the suspension?

[NRHector]

They have computers in San Antonio? :lol:lol
that's funny

[ehz33satx]

How has this incident lessened your enjoyment of the NBA? Do you feel personally offended or outraged by Gilbert Arenas' behavior? Will you sleep easier at night knowing that David Stern will not tolerate players twittering about a serious matter?

Your one dumb shit. Serious.

[Findog]

You honestly think he was suspended indefinitely only for twittering about the incident? That the incident itself has nothing to do with the suspension?

Yeah, I do:


"The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action.

"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

[ehz33satx]

Findog, your probably one of those white kids pretending your ghetto, sagging your clothes and cap backwards. You probably still live at home with mom and pops, sharing a room with your kid brother. Shut the hell up already!

[Findog]

Your one dumb shit. Serious.

How have you been harmed by Gilbert Arenas' actions? Is in the NBA in mortal danger of losing corporate sponsorships because of outrage over Arenas' conduct?

I'm not a lemming that responds exactly the way consumers of mass media are expected to do so, like you do. I don't care about what Arenas did or that he joked about it, and I'm perfectly fine with the legal process running its course before any decision is made on his future with the Wizards. I just find it extremely hilarious the reactions in this thread of "Good! Stern HAD to do what he did! Arenas deserved it!" Like sponsors were beating down Stern's door and people on this board were personally harmed by Gil's actions.

You are a lemming. Serious.

[z0sa]

Yeah, I do:

I can bold stuff too:

"The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action.

"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."







While I understand your point, it's silly to really assert that he is being suspended ONLY for twittering about the matter in an inappropriate way.

And, "initially thought it prudent" seems to denote Stern considered his initial actions wrong, don't you think?

[Findog]

Findog, your probably one of those white kids pretending your ghetto, sagging your clothes and cap backwards.

Tell me more, Kreskin. You have an amazing ability to detect obvious truths about people you converse with over the internet.


You probably still live at home with mom and pops, sharing a room with your kid brother. Shut the hell up already!

No, I'm going to continue to post. If that bothers you, I suggest you PM Kori or timvp and petition them to take away my posting privileges. You can also put me on ignore. Whining like a bitch to exhort me to "shut the hell up already" is pathetic.

[Findog]

While I understand your point, it's silly to really assert that he is being suspended ONLY for twittering about the matter in an inappropriate way.

And, "initially thought it prudent" seems to denote Stern considered his initial actions wrong, don't you think?

He thinks Arenas is mocking and challenging him by the fake gun celebration in Philly and the constant twittering. If it were only about the alleged offense, Delonte West would be suspended too.

[z0sa]

He thinks Arenas is mocking and challenging him by the fake gun celebration in Philly and the constant twittering. If it were only about the alleged offense, Delonte West would be suspended too.

Delonte West didn't bring guns into an arena, or threaten his teammate(s) with them. He didn't have another teammate threatening him with firearms. And gambling had nothing to do with it.

We know NBA players gamble. We know NBA players have firearms (what millionaire doesn't?) and yet, are at the forefront of a variety of cultural avenues.

This incident proposes a bigger problem than you admit.

[Findog]

Delonte West didn't bring guns into an arena, or threaten his teammate(s) with them. He didn't have another teammate threatening him with firearms. And gambling had nothing to do with it.

We know NBA players gamble. We know NBA players have firearms (what millionaire doesn't?) and yet, are at the forefront of a variety of cultural avenues. It proposes a bigger problem than you admit.

I'm not dismissing that it's a big problem, and I think Gil is an asshat, but I don't think Stern was backed into a corner when it came to suspending him.

[Blake]

How has this incident lessened your enjoyment of the NBA? Do you feel personally offended or outraged by Gilbert Arenas' behavior? Will you sleep easier at night knowing that David Stern will not tolerate players twittering about a serious matter?

Antawn Jamison will sleep easier knowing Stern won't tolerate guns in the locker room.

[Findog]

Antawn Jamison will sleep easier knowing Stern won't tolerate guns in the locker room.

Yeah, he looks terrified and finds no humor in the situation at all:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4251762497_e0abc9242b_o.jpg

[Blake]

I'm not dismissing that it's a big problem, and I think Gil is an asshat, but I don't think Stern was backed into a corner when it came to suspending him.

so again, why do you think Stern suspended an all star caliber player?

[Blake]

Yeah, he looks terrified and finds no humor in the situation at all:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4251762497_e0abc9242b_o.jpg

that's a "you're an asshat get the fuck away from me" smile

[Findog]

so again, why do you think Stern suspended an all star caliber player?

Because he thought Arenas was mocking him:


"I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action.

Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

[Findog]

that's a "you're an asshat get the fuck away from me" smile

Ok mind reader.

[Blake]

Ok mind reader.

eh. opinion based off what he said about the incident......same way you are reading Stern's mind.

He's [Jamison] never been the biggest Arenas fan any way.

[Kori Ellis]

I'm not sure that you guys get that Arenas was going to get suspended anyway, just for bringing the guns to the Arena (it's a contract violation)...but Stern was going to let the investigation run its course before doing that. He decided to suspend him now because of Arenas' mockery of the incident on Twitter, in Philly, etc.

[ElNono]

It doesn't matter wether the 'NBA has a thug problem on it's hands'. The sole perception that it might have is terrible for bussiness. If Führer Stern wouldn't need to deal with the pesky CBA and the Player's union, he would probably have had Arena's contract voided, torn into pieces and already shipped out Gilbert to Gitmo...

[mogrovejo]

If Arenas had shut up, I doubt he'd face a suspension longer or harsher than a few games without payment. A Telfair like penalty.

Btw, that's the reason I don't believe this suspension won't last till the rest of the season or isn't overturned.

[BUMP]

. Shut the hell up already!

Judge ehz33 has spoken! LAW!

http://fortworthcopier.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/angry-judge.jpg

[Jacob1983]

If he was white, no one would give a shit about this.

[Blake]

If he was white, no one would give a shit about this.

not according to Al


...Sharpton also said reaction to reports that Arenas drew a gun on teammate Javaris Crittenton on Dec. 21 has been tempered because the players involved are black.

"If it had been a white player pointing a gun at a black player, there would have been much more of an uproar," he said. "It's almost as if people are saying, 'Well, we don't expect anything better from our black athletes.' "

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/01/report-sharpton-urges-stern-to.html

[cobbler]

Delonte West didn't bring guns into an arena, or threaten his teammate(s) with them. He didn't have another teammate threatening him with firearms. And gambling had nothing to do with it.

We know NBA players gamble. We know NBA players have firearms (what millionaire doesn't?) and yet, are at the forefront of a variety of cultural avenues.

This incident proposes a bigger problem than you admit.

Me

[cobbler]

I'm not sure that you guys get that Arenas was going to get suspended anyway, just for bringing the guns to the Arena (it's a contract violation)...but Stern was going to let the investigation run its course before doing that. He decided to suspend him now because of Arenas' mockery of the incident on Twitter, in Philly, etc.

This is spot on. Arenas mocking the situation and joking about it was the last straw. He will end up being suspended the remainder of the year. If the federal authorities charge and convict him he will do jail time and his contract will be voided.

[HarlemHeat37]

Great suspension by Stern IMO..

Arenas thinks this is some kind of joke..the pre-game celebration shit was just ridiculously stupid..this guy isn't 18, he needs to learn some life lessons..

It's kind of weird to me how these gamer dudes become like this..it's fucked up..I say this because one of my best friends that I went to High School with was a hardcore gamer that lived in the hood..he was a good dude, really funny, everybody liked him..he lived in the hood, but he wasn't a "thug" or "gangster" or anything, he would always stay in his house, burn DVDs and play games like GTA and whatever all day..I would rarely see him out on the block, even though everybody liked him..

So we both eventually got expelled from HS(he was kicked out a year before me..nothing bad on his part to get expelled, he just missed way too many classes and had poor grades, so they kicked him out)..so I hadn't talked to him in over a year..then one day, I get text messages from some of the people I went to HS with asking me if I heard the news..I checked it out, and it turned out he was arrested for murdering 2 people in the lobby of an apartment building..now he's in jail..

This guy was EXACTLY like Arenas..a goofy joker type of guy, loved video games and shit like that, was into guns, but you would never picture him doing anything like that, so we were all shocked..I guess everybody has that in them somewhere..



As for Crittenton, I would expect a serious suspension and potential jail time..he's in a tough position though..I absolutely HATE when guys owe me $ and duck me, it's disgusting..he was owed 150K and he wasn't getting his $..that's how the dispute began..he DID make a stupid move, but he wasn't alone in this..he's going to get it a lot worse than Arenas IMO, partly due to him being an unknown guy..

[sabar]

Nothing fancy here, Stern is sending a message to Arenas (stfu), to would-be idiots (bring guns and you're screwed), and to casual fan (Gilbert Arenas is being searched more on the internet with each day).

[z0sa]

I'm not sure that you guys get that Arenas was going to get suspended anyway, just for bringing the guns to the Arena (it's a contract violation)...

"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

Stern may have more news than he's letting out, which is what my gut has been telling me all along. And I agree the twittering and 'gunshow' has something to do with this - but it was inevitable anyway.

[Findog]

http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/12755334/crazy-from-packing-the-heat-talk-of-arenas-lifetime-ban-is-ludicrous/rss

Once the Rev. Al Sharpton crawled out from under his rock to kick dirt onto the Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas for bringing guns to the arena, it was safe for anyone and everyone to pile on. And anyone and everyone did just that as they awaited NBA commissioner David Stern's choice of punishment, which he partially delivered Wednesday as an indefinite suspension that he said would "ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse."

According to anyone and everyone, "substantial" was a good place to start, but "perhaps worse" was more like it. Before Wednesday, some critics had said Arenas' suspension should last the rest of this season. Others said it should last the rest of Arenas' life.

To which I say: Has everyone lost their mind? Not Sharpton. He doesn't count. Of course that guy has lost his mind, assuming his was ever in working order in the first place.

But everyone else: Are you insane? You want to make an example of Gilbert Freaking Arenas?

Listen, I'm not here to minimize violence in the workplace. Nor am I here to minimize the image problem of the NBA or professional sports as a whole, which even the manipulative, insincere Sharpton noted has a "culture of violence."

"The NBA," Sharpton told the New York Daily News, "needs to stand up and send a strong message."

To this guy? For this incident?

Arenas isn't evil or even, if you ask me, dangerous. He's a dork, is what he is. He's immature and inappropriate. He's the class clown, the guy who will inch right up to that line in search of a laugh and then, if you're not laughing yet, will sprint willingly over it. We all know people like Arenas, people who hide behind corners and scream "boo!" and seem genuinely baffled that the victim of their prank was more irritated than amused. Arenas is annoying, not nefarious.

And don't, whatever you do, try to counter that position -- Arenas is annoying but not nefarious -- with the garbage reporting of the New York Post's Peter Vecsey, a longtime NBA writer who hasn't gotten a story right in years, including this one. Not a single witness has backed Vecsey's mind-blowing version from Jan. 1 that Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton had drawn guns on each other in the locker room less than two weeks earlier. That's because it didn't happen.

The problem is, first impressions are lasting. They're stubborn. The first thing most of us heard of this incident was the Post's version of events, and while that version was so fictional and over-the-top that it should have been co-authored by James Patterson, that's the version that sticks.

Arenas and Crittenton drew down! Did you hear?

Yeah. I heard. And it didn't happen. So where do we go from here?

We go to the actual crime committed, assuming a crime was committed -- and I'm assuming it was, given that Arenas has admitted to bringing his four guns to the Verizon Center and storing them in a locked container in his locker. That's a crime, considering his guns aren't licensed in Washington, D.C. That crime should be punished. No question.

Did you read what I just wrote? I wrote: That crime should be punished. No question.

Don't make me out to be soft on crime, because I'm not. The NBA has a rule against guns at the workplace, and for breaking that rule Arenas should be suspended. For how long? I don't know. Maybe 10 games. Maybe 20. Enough that he knows, and other NBA players know, never to do it again. But not so much where Stern will have cowed to the mania of public anger created by the shoddy reporting of the Post.

If you want to be angry, be angry with Vecsey. That clown, after screwing up the story from Day 1, has built upon his house of cards with a column advising Stern to give Arenas a lifetime suspension. You want to read that story? Find it yourself. I'm not linking to a malicious pissant like Vecsey.

The NBA should send a strong signal about guns, but to the right person and at the right time. This is neither. When habitual idiot Stephen Jackson -- less than two years after climbing into the stands and punching out a fan during that 2004 riot -- shot a gun five times into the air outside a nightclub, he should have been suspended a lot more than seven games. Those bullets came down somewhere, Stephen. You idiot.

When Sebastian Telfair took a loaded gun onto the team plane in 2006, even if that was an innocent mistake, he should have been suspended a lot more than two games. Other than a school, an airport is just about the worst place to bring a gun. Telfair's two-game suspension was laughably soft.

When Golden State's Chris Mills fought with Portland's Bonzi Wells in 2002 and took the fight from the court to the parking lot, allegedly brandishing his gun at Portland's team bus, he should have been suspended a lot more than three games.

Delonte West was caught in September with three loaded guns, including a shotgun stashed in a guitar case. Stern hasn't acted on that, because Maryland police are still investigating and because West didn't -- as Arenas did -- bring the guns to work. But when Stern is ready to act, West should be suspended a long, long time. Longer than Arenas. West's guns were loaded. Arenas' guns were not. Major distinction.

It's not just Vecsey who wants Arenas' head on a platter. Media members everywhere are suggesting a suspension for the rest of the season, while the incredibly reasonable Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post says the Arenas incident warrants breaking up the entire damn team. Some say the Wizards could use this incident to invoke the "morals clause" in standard NBA contracts and have the bulk of Arenas' $111 million contract voided. Mitch Lawrence from the New York Daily News says Arenas should be suspended for life.

I repeat: Are people crazy?

Ron Artest went into the crowd and beat up a paying customer in 2004. Stephen Jackson did the same. Latrell Sprewell choked his coach. Tim Donaghy bet on games he refereed. Those were heinous offenses, and those miscreants deserved to have Stern throw the entire bookshelf at them. But a goofball like Arenas deserves one of the worst punishments in NBA history? For this?

No. Not this guy, who gives more than $100,000 annually to local schools (among other charitable acts), and not for this. I believe he brought his guns to work for the reason he said: to get them away from his three children, all under 5, including a baby born days before he brought the guns to the arena. I believe he used a gun as a prop in a joke gone bad directed at Crittenton. I believe Arenas, who just the other day mocked his own predicament by shooting imaginary pistols -- his fingers -- at teammates, is a misguided, but harmless, goofball. All of his teammates laughed at his finger-shooting joke, which apparently ticked off Stern but which tells me the other Wizards know the entire incident was just what Arenas says it was: a poorly conceived joke.

That said, it was a pretty damn awful joke. And bringing the guns to work was an awful mistake. And Arenas should pay a stiff penalty for those lapses in judgment.

But if we're talking about banning anyone from the NBA, for a year or even longer, Stern could do worse than to start the line at Peter Vecsey.

[Blake]

some good points, but I think, as most do, he is being suspended for his attitude after the incident more than what he actually did.

....but for you to say that Stern is taking this as a personal attack is somewhat ridiculous.

[SenorSpur]

Arenas shouldn't be suspended for making a joke. Arenas has every god given right to make jokes about his life, he's not harming anyone else. Last I checked, Crittenton is still warming the bench like his good ol' self, Arenas hasn't shot anybody, and no one should be offended by the jokes Arenas is making about himself. NBA players don't sign up to be role models, they sign up to be basketball players. If a kid finds his parent's gun and plays with it because he heard Arenas has a gun, it's not Gilbert's fault, it's the kid's parents fault.

Ever heard the biblical passage "to whom much is given, much is expected"?

Every NBA contract has a morality clause that basically stipulates that all players MUST adhere to a policy of reasonably, acceptable behavior and good conduct. They cannot behave or conduct themselves in a way that casts any negative light on themselves, their team, or the NBA, as a whole.

Every NBA team has community service activities that ALL players are required to take part in. In doing so, they are representing their team and the league. With all the numerous activities these guys take part in, it's natural for kids look up to them, whether they like it or not. These cats may not sign up to be role models directly, but that's is exactly the platform they occupy in being professional athletes. It comes with the territory.

Call it role model or whatever you want, but these millionaire athletes are employees of an organization and must follow whatever rules and guidelines of conduct that are in place.

[BlackSwordsMan]

Yeah, he looks terrified and finds no humor in the situation at all:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4251762497_e0abc9242b_o.jpg

oh shit fabrico is there

[Findog]

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=10135659&postID=5262850939246103732&isPopup=true&pli=1


According to two first-hand accounts of the confrontation, Crittenton responded to Arenas's action -- which included laying the four unloaded weapons in Crittenton's cubicle with a note that read, "Pick One" -- by brandishing his own firearm, loading a clip of ammunition into the gun and cocking the weapon.

...

The dispute between Arenas and Crittenton began on the team plane during a popular card game between players called "Boo-ray." [AHL note: It's Bourré.] Crittenton lost roughly $1,100 to JaVale McGee, a Wizards center, in the game, according to a player who watched the game and who also spoke on condition of anonymity. Crittenton, already angry over a dispute over the game's rules, became irate when Arenas began needling him.

Their barbs escalated to a point where Arenas, smiling, said he would blow up Crittenton's car, according to two players on the flight, who requested anonymity. Crittenton replied that he would shoot Arenas in his surgically repaired knee.

Walking into the locker room by himself two days after the dispute on the team plane, according to two witnesses, Arenas laid out the guns in Crittenton's locker. Two other teammates eventually sauntered in and, while Arenas was writing the note in front of Crittenton's cubicle, in walked Crittenton, according to their account.

Asking Arenas what he was doing, Arenas replied, "If you want to shoot me, I'd just thought I'd make it easy for you." As other teammates laughed, Crittenton crumpled up the paper, tossed one of Arenas's guns across the room, where it bounced in front of a team trainer, and said he didn't need any of Arenas' firearms because he had his own, according to the witness accounts.

Crittenton then drew his weapon, loaded the clip into the chamber and cocked the bar, the witnesses said.

Neither witness said the gun was ever pointed at Arenas, but both said Crittenton began singing as he held the gun.

Arenas began laughing, the witnesses said, telling Crittenton, "Look at that little shiny gun," as two other players slowly retreated to the training room."

[Findog]

If Stern doesn't come down hard on Crittenton as well, then it will be obvious that Arenas is getting suspended for drawing the ire of sports journalists and bloggers, which is not exactly a sin in my book.

I agree with the person who said that "Stern's punishments are usually related to the amount of attention drawn to the situation."

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

oh shit fabrico is there

Fortunately for Gilbert that means if he were to ever commit a crime with those guns (like kill 6 million Jews for instance), Fabricio could be the connection that smuggles him into Argentina so he can bribe their government for a safe haven.

[jonnybravo]

If Stern doesn't come down hard on Crittenton as well, then it will be obvious that Arenas is getting suspended for drawing the ire of sports journalists and bloggers, which is not exactly a sin in my book.

I agree with the person who said that "Stern's punishments are usually related to the amount of attention drawn to the situation."


This I can agree with.

Critter brandished? Wow.

[The Franchise]

I don't understand why this is still being debated. I own three guns (and a license to carry them), but I would never be stupid enough to bring them to work if the rules didn't allow it. I would also understand if I were terminated for doing so. I'm not outraged by what he did, but I also understand that he broke the rules that he agreed to by signing his contract. His contract should be voided simply because he didn't abide by his contract IMHO. I don't think Gilbert is a bad guy, he just decided to do something stupid, and he has nobody but himself to blame for the consequences he brought upon himself.

[XFactor]

http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/07/arenas-gun-standoff-locker-room-video/

Arenas Gun Standoff -- Locker Room Video
Posted Jan 7th 2010 1:00PM by TMZ Staff
The Xmas Eve gun standoff between Gilbert Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton may have been caught on tape by surveillance cameras, law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

We're told the Washington Wizards have told D.C. cops they have locker room surveillance video but are having trouble downloading it. The Geek Squad -- aka computer-savvy detectives -- are going to the Wizards organization today to help.

And get this -- a source connected with the investigation tells TMZ the Wizards have been "over cooperative" with cops -- as the source says, "almost as if they want Arenas to go down."

The source says "there is a better than 50/50 chance the U.S. Attorney will issue a felony arrest warrant against Arenas."

As for what caused the confrontation that allegedly triggered a gun standoff -- law enforcement tells TMZ it was all over a card game known as Bourré.

The NBA suspended Arenas indefinitely yesterday and, as we first reported, Arenas didn't have a license for the guns.

[Blake]

And get this -- a source connected with the investigation tells TMZ the Wizards have been "over cooperative" with cops -- as the source says, "almost as if they want Arenas to go down."


of course they do. That contract sucks.

[quickerblade]

first of all guys whether u hate arenas or not keep ur emotions out of it.

First of all Arenas admits to bringing guns to the locker room weeks ago...The NBA and the wizards did not care less, its NBA policy no guns allowed on NBA property, he should of been suspended weeks ago.

Now the wizards are taking this holier the thou stance, removing images and merchandise related to arenas, there just as bad as him, if thet gave a fuck they would of suspended him on the spot, not wait to david stern to do it then say "yeah we support stern and abe pollin blah blah"....

now Wizards are working overtime to try null and void his contract AHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH it will never work, it never worked for sprewell when he chocked his coach, wizards overpaid arenas and now trying to weasel there way out like a deadbeat dad.

Arenas is an idiot but the wizards and the NBA are just as bad they should of penalised him on the spot not wait for the media to snowball then decide "his not fit to play"

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

IMHO, very simply, I think Arenas did a stupid thing but that this is a massive over-reaction to what he did.

Gilbert should not have had guns in his locker given the DC law, but he didn't threaten anyone with them, nor were they loaded. He should be punished with a big fine, a long stint of community service in a gun-safety-related education campaign, a 20 game suspension and allowed to get on with it. What he did was nothing like the Artest melee, for example. That was much worse than this, and yet it looks like Arenas might be punished far more severly than anyone involved in that.

Crittendon, OTOH, had a cocked, loaded firearm in a confrontation. That's far more serious. He is the real story here, lost in the usual maelstrom that is media as judge and jury.

PS Also, Arenas should just be a man, accept his losses and pay his freakin debts, especially on a contract like that where financially it means nothing to him. That part of the story shows Arenas to have a major ego/pride problem, and to be very psychologically immature in that he hasn't taken responsibility for his actions (ie. gambling and losing) and made right.

[quickerblade]

IMHO, very simply, I think Arenas did a stupid thing but that this is a massive over-reaction to what he did.

Gilbert should not have had guns in his locker given the DC law, but he didn't threaten anyone with them, nor were they loaded. He should be punished with a big fine, a long stint of community service in a gun-safety-related education campaign, a 20 game suspension and allowed to get on with it. What he did was nothing like the Artest melee, for example. That was much worse than this, and yet it looks like Arenas might be punished far more severly than anyone involved in that.

Crittendon, OTOH, had a cocked, loaded firearm in a confrontation. That's far more serious. He is the real story here, lost in the usual maelstrom that is media as judge and jury.

PS Also, Arenas should just be a man, accept his losses and pay his freakin debts, especially on a contract like that where financially it means nothing to him. That part of the story shows Arenas to have a major ego/pride problem, and to be very psychologically immature in that he hasn't taken responsibility for his actions (ie. gambling and losing) and made right.

the wizards are going to try void hid contract just watch

[Blake]

IMHO, very simply, I think Arenas did a stupid thing but that this is a massive over-reaction to what he did.

Gilbert should not have had guns in his locker given the DC law, but he didn't threaten anyone with them, nor were they loaded. He should be punished with a big fine, a long stint of community service in a gun-safety-related education campaign, a 20 game suspension and allowed to get on with it. What he did was nothing like the Artest melee, for example. That was much worse than this, and yet it looks like Arenas might be punished far more severly than anyone involved in that.

Crittendon, OTOH, had a cocked, loaded firearm in a confrontation. That's far more serious. He is the real story here, lost in the usual maelstrom that is media as judge and jury.

PS Also, Arenas should just be a man, accept his losses and pay his freakin debts, especially on a contract like that where financially it means nothing to him. That part of the story shows Arenas to have a major ego/pride problem, and to be very psychologically immature in that he hasn't taken responsibility for his actions (ie. gambling and losing) and made right.

it was the rules violation/illegal activity + his attitude about it afterwards.

That's why we keep seeing the same picture of him going guns up in the team huddle.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

the wizards are going to try void hid contract just watch

Of course they are. That's what this is all about.


it was the rules violation/illegal activity + his attitude about it afterwards.

That's why we keep seeing the same picture of him going guns up in the team huddle.

I get that, but I still think it's a massive over-reaction.

[mogrovejo]

I agree it's a crazy over-reaction. Arenas is being punished for his post-even antics that some find tasteless. Telfair was punished for 2 games for carrying a concealed weapon in the team plane (which isn't different or less serious than the locker-room, I think); Arenas should have a similar punishment.



PS Also, Arenas should just be a man, accept his losses and pay his freakin debts, especially on a contract like that where financially it means nothing to him. That part of the story shows Arenas to have a major ego/pride problem, and to be very psychologically immature in that he hasn't taken responsibility for his actions (ie. gambling and losing) and made right.The guy in debt wasn't Arenas but JaVale McGee.

[iggypop123]

if they went this nuts for arenas what will happen with delonte kfc west?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

The guy in debt wasn't Arenas but JaVale McGee.

Yeah, you're right, sorry. That makes the whole thing even more tragic... I mean, he basically fucked up his entire life by making a smart arse comment in someone else's dispute and then taking a joke too far. Sheesh. Tough world.

I hope they void his contract and then he comes back next year after a suspension and rips it up for some other team. I really do. Gilbert is not the fucking antichrist he's been made out to be. Idiot, yes, the Devil Incarnate, not so much.

[Kori Ellis]

IMHO, very simply, I think Arenas did a stupid thing but that this is a massive over-reaction to what he did.

Gilbert should not have had guns in his locker given the DC law, but he didn't threaten anyone with them, nor were they loaded. He should be punished with a big fine, a long stint of community service in a gun-safety-related education campaign, a 20 game suspension and allowed to get on with it. What he did was nothing like the Artest melee, for example. That was much worse than this, and yet it looks like Arenas might be punished far more severly than anyone involved in that.

I think his suspension is going to end up being something like that (20 games) unless he's convicted of a felony.

The Wizards should also be getting in some trouble from the League, considering they knew the guns were there prior to the incident.

As for not threatening anyone, the "pick one" note is what is being perceived as a threat. And for a while there was hearsay that one of them was loaded.



Crittendon, OTOH, had a cocked, loaded firearm in a confrontation. That's far more serious. He is the real story here, lost in the usual maelstrom that is media as judge and jury.

At this point, Crittenton hasn't even admitted he had a gun, right? I'm guessing that since Arenas admitted it and turned in his guns (and since he's a bigger name), his investigation is further along. If they prove Crittenton actually had a loaded gun, then I'm guessing he'll get a similar suspension to Arenas.

[DaDakota]

Arenas is an idiot, he deserves whatever he gets.

DD™

[KidCongo]

if they went this nuts for arenas what will happen with delonte kfc west?

Delonte was doing serious business.

http://publicfigures.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/delonte-west_-zombie-takeover3.jpg

[iggypop123]

Arenas is an idiot, he deserves whatever he gets.

DD™

http://www.wizznutzz.com/images/eddie_bj.gif

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

At this point, Crittenton hasn't even admitted he had a gun, right? I'm guessing that since Arenas admitted it and turned in his guns (and since he's a bigger name), his investigation is further along. If they prove Crittenton actually had a loaded gun, then I'm guessing he'll get a similar suspension to Arenas.

Yeah, I guess Crittendon's actions need to be corroborated by at least two sources before any conclusions about what he did can be drawn.

But, if proven true, from your post above you think Crittendon's action of actively cocking a loaded weapon was not worse than Gilbert's "pick one"? Or is it that you think the NBA will judge the two similarly, but you actually think one is worse than the other?

[duncan228]

Arenas teammate remembers ‘Agent Zero’ (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-wizards-gun-teammate&prov=ap&type=lgns)

While the Washington Wizards have removed virtually all traces of Gilbert Arenas from the Verizon Center, one teammate found a way to get his suspended teammate’s nickname visible Sunday when the team played the New Orleans Hornets.

DeShawn Stevenson took to the court during pregame warmups with the words “AGENT” and “ZERO” written in red capital letters on tape wrapped around his shins—just above his shoe tops.

The Wizards removed all Arenas-related merchandise from the arena and edited him out of the pregame video after he was suspended indefinitely by the NBA on Wednesday. Arenas is under investigation for bringing guns to the Verizon Center and related incidents.

[Kori Ellis]

Yeah, I guess Crittendon's actions need to be corroborated by at least two sources before any conclusions about what he did can be drawn.

But, if proven true, from your post above you think Crittendon's action of actively cocking a loaded weapon was not worse than Gilbert's "pick one"? Or is it that you think the NBA will judge the two similarly, but you actually think one is worse than the other?

I think they will judge them similarly, because Arenas is a bigger name -- so they are trying to make an example out of him. I think a lot of how big of a suspension he/they get also will depend on if either of them are charged with anything.

[SenorSpur]

Arenas is an idiot, he deserves whatever he gets.

DD™

:tu :tu

[Pistons < Spurs]

Arenas owned several hundred guns


As a grand jury continues to hear the details of the gun incident involving Gilbert Arenas, WTOP has learned the Washington Wizards' star has -- at times -- owned several hundred guns.

Multiple sources tell WTOP that Arenas moved those weapons out of his Virginia home within the past year, long before the incident at the Verizon Center.

By all accounts, the guns in Arenas' collection were legally owned, yet it's unclear how many he actually owned or still owns.

Arenas has told investigators and the NBA about the collection, sources say.

Arenas said he brought four guns to the Verizon Center because he wanted them out of his house after his daughter was born. But two officials within the league who have been briefed on the investigation have said he incident stemmed from a dispute over card-playing gambling debts and a heated discussion in the locker room with teammate Javaris Crittenton.

Arenas said in a statement on Jan. 4 that he took unloaded guns from his locker in a "misguided effort to play a joke" on a teammate.

The guns turned over to police include a so-called 'Dirty Harry Revolver' and a gold-plated Desert Eagle -- which is so big and has such a powerful recoil -- no law enforcement agency uses them.

Attorney Ken Wainstein would not comment on the number of guns in the collection, but repeated Arenas is cooperating in the investigation.

Members of the Wizards organization are still being interviewed by authorities.




http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1862757

[Spursmania]

Maybe he just wanted to go on a prolonged vacation with his family rather than sit through a protracted season of losing and being one of the worst teams in the league.

Just saying, he could actually be that stupid.

[duncan228]

Arenas may plea in gun case: report (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/arenas_may_plea_in_gun_case_report_BRrRPjXvqWJ55gN NAyBrrN)
Post Staff Report

Suspended Washington Wizards sharpshooter Gilbert Arenas and the feds are reportedly negotiating a plea deal.

Arenas' lawyer and federal prosecutors are discussing a possible plea bargain in which the suspended basketball player would cop to misdemeanor gun charges as early as today.

Sources told TMZ.com (http://www.nypost.com/t/TMZ.com) that the filing of charges would coincide with the plea.

Arenas is under investigation for felony gun charges stemming from a locker room incident that occurred last month that was exclusively reported by The Post.

The NBA fired back at the pistol-packing hoopster last week, suspending him in a move that could cost him every penny of the $89,150,060 left on his huge contract.

NBA Commissioner David Stern said he didn't want to take aim at Arenas, but felt he had to bench the All-Star for his "ongoing conduct."

A league source told The Post last week that Stern was steamed about Arenas' antics before a game in Philadelphia. A smiling Arenas mimicked shooting his teammates in the huddle, before they took the floor against the 76ers.

The team could void the remaining 4 1/2 years of Arenas' six-year contract, worth $89,150,060.

[phxspurfan]

Suspended Washington Wizards sharpshooter Gilbert Arenas and the feds are reportedly negotiating a plea deal.

http://www.cikava.com/gallery/albums/Emoticons/Owl_I_see_what_you_did.jpg

[nkdlunch]

Arenas is gonna do jailtime. You heard it here first.

:tu :tu :tu