NBA has suspended Gilbert Arenas indefinitely until investigation ends

[Knoe Itawl]

Just saw on MSNBC. I can only imagine his pre-game antics didn't help matters.

Here is the statement from the NBA: http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=5234

[chazzy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4802267

It's pretty much directly because of his actions yesterday. :hammerhead:

[Mr. Obvious]

NEW YORK -- The NBA has suspended the Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas indefinitely.

"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," commissioner David Stern said in a statement Wednesday. "Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4802267

[bokes15]

NEW YORK -- The NBA has suspended the Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas indefinitely.

"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," commissioner David Stern said in a statement Wednesday. "Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[rs98762001]

It's harsh, but Gilbert hasn't helped himself by completing refusing to take this seriously. The gun pose last night was clearly the last straw for Stern.

[Sanity]

I wonder if the incident can lead to the Wizards voiding his contract.

[DukeDelonte13]

i bet he is kicking himself in the ass

[tsforthrees]

yeah i think it was the gun pose. wonder if the other wizards players are still laughing. probably

[Mr Clutch Melo]

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/01/06/arenas.suspension/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

[StroShow4]

Way to go, Gil.

[Long Duck Dong]

Agent Zero in 10 years.

http://www.beyondhollywood.com/stillsx/2008/03/new-jack-city-chris-rock.jpg

[chazzy]

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/9690/gilbertarenas0110580.jpg

And calling Stern "mean." What NOT to do when your season is hanging by a thread :banghead:

[thejumpa]

Who cares. This is what should have happened, anyway.

Still $80M strong.....you think he gives a **** right now?

[kkling]

Shocking, acting like having guns is no big deal and a making a joke of it to the press. Smart move.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gil.

[RaininThrees]

Who cares. This is what should have happened, anyway.

Still $80M strong.....you think he gives a **** right now?

He'd better care. Don't think the Wiz aren't considering voidng that contract. Because they are.

" The whole affair may also give the Wizards the opportunity to void the six-year, $111 million contract Arenas signed in the summer of 2008. There are moral clauses written into most contracts, giving the team the option of voiding a contract for actions considered detrimental or embarrassing to the organization if publicized."

http://blog.oregonlive.com/nba/2010/01/nba_wizards_could_void_gilbert_arenas_contract_in_ alleged_gun_incident_news_notes_and_links.html

[paperstreet]

IMO, stern should have waited until the investigation ends

[gts]

Who cares. This is what should have happened, anyway.

Still $80M strong.....you think he gives a **** right now?

Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately ...

[Sanity]

IMO, stern should have waited until the investigation ends

That was probably the plan until Gil made a joke of it.

[Im so nba'd out]

wow 3 str8 seasons of gilbert missing games :eek:

[oh the horror]

And people didnt think this was going to happen? Anyone over the age of 15 should know, you dont play around with authorities. Especially higher ups that are responsible for writing your checks.

[seanlakers]

David "Hibachi" Stern

Burning Gil's ass already.

[RaininThrees]

And people didnt think this was going to happen? Anyone over the age of 15 should know, you dont play around with authorities. Especially higher ups that are responsible for writing your checks.

They should also know not to play around with guns.

Just sayin...

[oh the horror]

Arenas is probably done. Dude has missed SO many games at this point, and now he is suspended until this matter is dealt with...which could take awhile...and then after that, they could suspend him further?!


Im willing to guess that his career is probably a wash.

[thejumpa]

...

Yeah, but how much will he stand to lose this season? 10 mil maybe? That's a lot of money obviously, but he will be payed tons in the future. Based off everything we have seen, past and present, they won't be able to void his contract.

[Im so nba'd out]

So why hasnt Delonte "Rambo" West been suspended?

[kkling]

And people didnt think this was going to happen? Anyone over the age of 15 should know, you dont play around with authorities. Especially higher ups that are responsible for writing your checks.

People should be aware of a lot things, but that obviously doesn't prevent anything stupid from happening.

[Styles p]

So why hasnt Delonte "Rambo" West been suspended?

because he didnt bring guns into the arena

[rs98762001]

That was probably the plan until Gil made a joke of it.
Yup. Stern obviously feels that for the sake of the league's image he has to take a stand. The picture of Gil in the gun pose has been getting a lot of national play today. It's almost like Arenas is mocking Stern and everyone else who has expressed concern. Although it's not just Gil that looks like an idiot in that photo, the rest of Bullets, um, Wizards looks equally moronic laughing it up.

[kkling]

So why hasnt Delonte "Rambo" West been suspended?

Can't compare guns in an arena to West driving around with licensed guns. West's trial is coming up soon I believe. Arenas' mouth is the reason he's suspended so soon.

[Kobe Jnr]

Jesus he was earning 150 k a game... people earn that in 2 years

[RaininThrees]

Yeah, but how much will he stand to lose this season? 10 mil maybe? That's a lot of money obviously, but he will be payed tons in the future. Based off everything we have seen, past and present, they won't be able to void his contract.

"There are moral clauses written into most contracts, giving the team the option of voiding a contract for actions considered detrimental or embarrassing to the organization if publicized.""

You don't think this is an embarassment to a team that had to change its name from the "Bullets"... one that might want to get a massive contract off its books?

[bokes15]

Holy ****, I just read an article which said there is a possibility for the Wiz to void Arenas contract.

[SCdac]

Does this guy have no PR representatives or something? I'm sure he's got attorneys and an entourage, but damn dude straight up made a joke out of all this. Whether he feels innocent or not, he has handled the situation all wrong... I envision a huge "T.I having to give PSA's about guns to children" kind of thing coming to Gilbert in the future, before or after any jail time he might receive.

[StroShow4]

So why hasnt Delonte "Rambo" West been suspended?

He didn't actually bring guns into the arena, he didn't try to make a joke of the whole thing, and he kept his mouth shut.

[bokes15]

But Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld, who allegedly was the one to report Arenas' firearms to NBA security, may have another option -- one he's seriously considering should Arenas be charged with a crime: void his contract.

The move, which would free the Wizards of any financial obligation and instantly remove Arenas' salary from their books, is complicated but not unprecedented. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement clearly states that a contract can be voided if a player "at any time, fails, refuses, or neglects to conform his personal conduct to standards of good citizenship, good moral character (defined here to mean not engaging in acts of moral turpitude, whether or not such acts would constitute a crime), and good sportsmanship ..." It could be argued that any criminal charges leveled against Arenas would constitute a failure in personal conduct.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/chris_mannix/01/05/wizards.arenas/index.html#ixzz0brxu0FRJ
Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription

[Styles p]

Jesus he was earning 150 k a game... people earn that in 2 years

srsly its amazing how these guys make that much money playing a game and still **** up doing dumb **** like this.

[oh the horror]

You know....I wouldnt be that shocked, if Washington actually pulls off the void, and boots Arenas out of town.

[GOBB]

Yeah, but how much will he stand to lose this season? 10 mil maybe? That's a lot of money obviously, but he will be payed tons in the future. Based off everything we have seen, past and present, they won't be able to void his contract.

There is no but. No wealthy human being is ok with losing that kind of money.

[kkling]

You know....I wouldnt be that shocked, if Washington actually pulls off the void, and boots Arenas out of town.

Unless the Wizards do something stupid, it shouldn't be too difficult. Arenas is doing the work for them.

[phoenix18]

Gil will be back. Either that or tear sh*t up in Europe.

[RaininThrees]

But Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld, who allegedly was the one to report Arenas' firearms to NBA security, may have another option -- one he's seriously considering should Arenas be charged with a crime: void his contract.

The move, which would free the Wizards of any financial obligation and instantly remove Arenas' salary from their books, is complicated but not unprecedented. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement clearly states that a contract can be voided if a player "at any time, fails, refuses, or neglects to conform his personal conduct to standards of good citizenship, good moral character (defined here to mean not engaging in acts of moral turpitude, whether or not such acts would constitute a crime), and good sportsmanship ..." It could be argued that any criminal charges leveled against Arenas would constitute a failure in personal conduct.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/chris_mannix/01/05/wizards.arenas/index.html#ixzz0brxu0FRJ
Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription

Wizards statement: "We fully endorse the decision of the NBA to indefinitely suspend Gilbert Arenas."

Wizards: "Gilbert's recent behavior & statements, including his actions & statements last night in Philadelphia, are unacceptable."

[Poodle]

"There are moral clauses written into most contracts, giving the team the option of voiding a contract for actions considered detrimental or embarrassing to the organization if publicized.""

You don't think this is an embarassment to a team that had to change its name from the "Bullets"... one that might want to get a massive contract off its books?

actually its perfect irony and the best thing that could've happened to the Wizards. They were going nowhere with the Wiz being all about Gilbert getting back to his old chucking self. Wiz were good when Gilbert was hurt where they played more team oriented ball. Now they might be able to void Gilberts contract. Its definitely better than having to be on the leash for a $100mill to someone who makes your team worse.

[SCdac]

You also have to think about how much he is spending on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis... Car payments, mortgages, child support (?), etc... You know missing any amount of games (without pay) is going to hurt... Hell, the reason all this happened (supposedly) was because he didn't want to pay up in a card game, and that was what less than 1% of his income?

[shadow]

IMO, stern should have waited until the investigation ends
He bought guns to a NBA facility....I'm surprised he hadn't been suspended already.

[Poodle]

Wizards statement: "We fully endorse the decision of the NBA to indefinitely suspend Gilbert Arenas."

Wizards: "Gilbert's recent behavior & statements, including his actions & statements last night in Philadelphia, are unacceptable."


they also from what i heard condemned the action of his teammates going along with it.

this is like when a bunch of lil kids get in trouble for being lil kids. pretty sad.

[RaininThrees]

actually its perfect irony and the best thing that could've happened to the Wizards. They were going nowhere with the Wiz being all about Gilbert getting back to his old chucking self. Wiz were good when Gilbert was hurt where they played more team oriented ball. Now they might be able to void Gilberts contract. Its definitely better than having to be on the leash for a $100mill to someone who makes your team worse.

That's exactly what I mean. They were probably looking for way out of it and ol' Gil handed them one.

[thejumpa]

There is no but. No wealthy human being is ok with losing that kind of money.

No doubt. $10M is a lot to lose....to anybody. But, when have we ever heard about a contract being voided? Not Stephen Jacksons,Tinsleys, not Monta Ellis...no one. What is the Wizards argument anyway?

I'm saying it right now. His contract won't get voided. If I'm wrong I'll use a ****ing Laker avatar for the rest of the season:roll:

[pete's montreux]

Good. Gil always struck me as a guy who cared more about his image than winning. He tried to force himself in the public as to make it seem he was above the league, and It's blown up in his face.

Good riddance. He's probably going to be suspended for the rest of the season, at the very least.

[gts]

No doubt. $10M is a lot to lose....to anybody. But, when have we ever heard about a contract being voided? Not Stephen Jacksons,Tinsleys, not Monta Ellis...no one. What is the Wizards argument anyway?
I'm saying it right now. His contract won't get voided. If I'm wrong I'll use a ****ing Laker avatar for the rest of the season:roll: for historic purposes...lol

[Poodle]

No doubt. $10M is a lot to lose....to anybody. But, when have we ever heard about a contract being voided? Not Stephen Jacksons,Tinsleys, not Monta Ellis...no one. What is the Wizards argument anyway?

I'm saying it right now. His contract won't get voided. If I'm wrong I'll use a ****ing Laker avatar for the rest of the season:roll:

you're probably right. the team of lawyers you can buy with that much money at stake probably isn't even worth the litigation costs in fighting to void it. who knows tho :confusedshrug:

[Sanity]

actually its perfect irony and the best thing that could've happened to the Wizards. They were going nowhere with the Wiz being all about Gilbert getting back to his old chucking self. Wiz were good when Gilbert was hurt where they played more team oriented ball. Now they might be able to void Gilberts contract. Its definitely better than having to be on the leash for a $100mill to someone who makes your team worse.

Very well put, this should be the Wizards front office right now

http://i38.tinypic.com/vg2y2x.jpg

[vert48]

I REALLY hope that they can get his contract voided. It would set a great precedent.

My guess is that the players union will fight like crazy to avoid this, and once it becomes apparent that there is a good chance the Wiz can prove breach of contract, the PU will broker some kind of buyout to avoid the precedent of a voided contract.

[TheBigAristotle1]

I can't decide whether commisioner Stern is a genius or a moron......On the one hand suspending him now makes him look like he is going after Arenas just because he criticized him. Not suspending Arenas is bad for the image of the league.

I really have no idea on this one.

[RaininThrees]

Good. Gil always struck me as a guy who cared more about his image than winning. He tried to force himself in the public as to make it seem he was above the league, and It's blown up in his face.

Good riddance. He's probably going to be suspended for the rest of the season, at the very least.


Quoting Adrian Woj.: "Stern feels like he's been taunted by (Arenas)," NBA source says. "He's done for the year....at the very least."

[Im so nba'd out]

Wow i wonder if the wizards knew this yesterday thats why they were so out of it in the 1st half.

[crisoner]

Man....

Big Agent Zero fan...but WTF? Oh well.........

http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/06/ds_arenas.jpg

[craiye]

No doubt. $10M is a lot to lose....to anybody. But, when have we ever heard about a contract being voided? Not Stephen Jacksons,Tinsleys, not Monta Ellis...no one. What is the Wizards argument anyway?

I'm saying it right now. His contract won't get voided. If I'm wrong I'll use a ****ing Laker avatar for the rest of the season:roll:
Jackson and Tinsley were never really talked about as far as having their contracts voided. Ellis and Radmonavich actually probably could have had their contracts voided, especially Radman, but their teams didn't try to do it. Arenas is in a whole other situation.

With Ellis they wanted to wait and see if he could come back and play at a high level - he has and all is forgiven. Arenas has come back and hasn't been good, the team is horrible and he had the most (maybe 2nd most after Brand) untradeable contract in the NBA. What's the worst that can happen if they try to void his contract and don't succeed? It's not like the Wizards can get much worse or he'll lower his trade value.

The verbage is in his contract, so they have a good shot at voiding the contract if he's convicted of anything. The difference between Gil and the other situations you mentioned is simply that the Wiz have no reason to NOT attempt voiding his contract.

[bokes15]

"There is, of course, plenty of risk. If the Wizards do void Arenas' contract and lose a court fight with the union, they would be stuck with a player they don't want (and who knows he isn't wanted) and forced to either buy out his deal (highly unlikely considering how much money is involved) or trade him for anything they can get.

Still, this is a chance for Washington to start from scratch. The Arenas-Jamison-Butler core is not going to win a championship, and it may not even get the Wizards into the playoffs. Arenas' latest run-in is Washington's chance to change all that, to get the franchise back on track. That is, if the Wizards welcome the opportunity."

[MaxFly]

Just saw on MSNBC. I can only imagine his pre-game antics didn't help matters.

Here is the statement from the NBA: http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=5234

They did the right thing. They weren't too hasty, but they didn't let this drag on. Ironically, we're still only at the beginning of all of this. We still don't really know what happened.

[ElPigto]

Quoting Adrian Woj.: "Stern feels like he's been taunted by (Arenas)," NBA source says. "He's done for the year....at the very least."

Wow. I believe Adrian, he has legit sources. At least with the Rockets, he has not been wrong yet.

[thejumpa]

you're probably right. the team of lawyers you can buy with that much money at stake probably isn't even worth the litigation costs in fighting to void it. who knows tho :confusedshrug:

Not only that, but assuming he didn't pull out and point any pistols, and the other dude didn't either, what is the argument other than him having unloaded guns in his locker? A fine and suspension is what he deserves...

It's sad to see him go down this path, though. His care-free personality seems to have bit him in the ass. Crazy to think he used to be thought of as being good for the NBA. Still isn't too late to make all this go away, though.

[thejusman1]

So why hasnt Delonte "Rambo" West been suspended?

Not to mention Delonte West is bi-polar... that helps a lot.

[ihatetimthomas]

I dont think it will happen, but the best thing for the Wizards organization is that Gils contract gets voided. That would be bigger than the Lakers getting Gasol for Kwame. Imagine having Gil off the cap. Man, the Wizards would love that

[RaininThrees]

Wow. I believe Adrian, he has legit sources. At least with the Rockets, he has not been wrong yet.

He's the best reporter in the NBA, IMO.

[hoopaddict08]

Gilbert Arenas is just plain dumb. I hope Washington can somehow get of his contract. It's bad enough he is injured all the time, for him to completely disrupt what little focus his team had just shows you he isn't capable of leading a team.

He made the statement yesturday that he now understands the topic of guns isn't a joking matter, yet he goes out in the player introduction and makes a fool of himself. Just... Plain... Dumb!

[Clocian-IGN]

happy birthday agent zero my brother...no really, happy birthday :lol.

[A.M.G.]

i bet he is kicking himself in the ass
I doubt it. He seems kind of delusional about this whole thing.

[Maneva]

A blessing in disguise. The Wizards don't have to pay his awful contract for the time being, and they could possibly void the whole thing. Plus, it's not as if the Wizards were looking like playoff hopefuls anyways. I feel bad for Gilbert though, he seems like a nice enough guy, a bit dumb though.

[Long Duck Dong]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d69/Appliejuice/extras/grill3.jpg

[Poodle]

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/9690/gilbertarenas0110580.jpg

And calling Stern "mean." What NOT to do when your season is hanging by a thread :banghead:


did they really do the fall down after Gilbert shot at them like in the Replacements? looks like some of them are kind of doing it but its hard to tell.

[madmax]

that's why they call them Washington Bullets...crazy team

[bagelred]

Niko.....get us some unlicensed firearms
Knicks101......Find out combination to Eddy Curry's locker
Bano.......Hack into MSG's servers and gain access to card key duplicates
ALBaller......Distract Curry outside MSG so we time to manuever..



Let's move people!!!!! The future of the NYK organization depends our mission......giving Knicks secret salute.......Mission Impossible music plays..........

[ALBballer]

Niko.....get us some unlicensed firearms
Knicks101......Find out combination to Eddy Curry's locker
Bano.......Hack into MSG's servers and gain access to card key duplicates
ALBaller......Distract Curry outside MSG so we time to manuever..



Let's move people!!!!! The future of the NYK organization depends our mission......giving Knicks secret salute.......Mission Impossible music plays..........

Distracting him won't be too hard, there's a Mcdonalds within a block of MSG.

:oldlol:

[vert48]

Niko.....get us some unlicensed firearms
Knicks101......Find out combination to Eddy Curry's locker
Bano.......Hack into MSG's servers and gain access to card key duplicates
ALBaller......Distract Curry outside MSG so we time to manuever..



Let's move people!!!!! The future of the NYK organization depends our mission......giving Knicks secret salute.......Mission Impossible music plays..........The sad thing is that after going to all that trouble, you would break in and find 3 guns already in the locker.

[bagelred]

Distracting him won't be too hard, there's a Mcdonalds within a block of MSG.

:oldlol:

.......slapping ALBaller..........Do you understand the seriousness of our mission? Huh? DO YOU!!!!!!.........Look alive, Private NYK34293 or you'll be banished to New Jersey!!!!............

[monkeypox]

Niko.....get us some unlicensed firearms
Knicks101......Find out combination to Eddy Curry's locker
Bano.......Hack into MSG's servers and gain access to card key duplicates
ALBaller......Distract Curry outside MSG so we time to manuever..



Let's move people!!!!! The future of the NYK organization depends our mission......giving Knicks secret salute.......Mission Impossible music plays..........

It would be easier to just start giving out guns as happy meal toys. He'd have 15 guns by the end of the week.

[monkeypox]

Pure stupidity. What did he think was going to happen? This is probably dumber than when Griffin crashed his car while jerking off to porn.

[oh the horror]

everyone is juz hatin' on gilbert :mad:

[RaininThrees]

happy birthday agent zero my brother...no really, happy birthday :lol.


LOL. I had to look this up. What a present from Mr. Stern.

[bagelred]

How the f-ck is GA suspended and Delonte West DIDN'T get suspended....or did he? Now i'm confused......

[GeneWilderSTL]

I've been against the hiring of Flip Saunders all season. The man should have benched Gilbert for his own sake. You think Byron Scott would've put up with this? Or had his team playing horrible defense?

and now I have to hear from more NBA-hating bigots :banghead:

[kenuffff]

man can anyone actually feel sorry for this guy now? first off im sure this isn't the FIRST time a gun has been brought out in a locker room in any sport, after all the crazy ****s that have went through im sure it has happened quite a few times, whats ****ed up is someone snitched them out, ok bad luck you got snitched out for doing some massively stupid, but come on the gun thing last night is just plain stupid david stern don't give a ****, everyone knows that he made mark cuban even kowtow , this is micheal vick-ish im sure he MIGHt come back but it won't be anything like before.

[oh the horror]

How the f-ck is GA suspended and Delonte West DIDN'T get suspended....or did he? Now i'm confused......


One major difference is one brought the guns into his place of work.

[oh the horror]

and now I have to hear from more NBA-hating bigots :banghead:



Why do you keep using the word "bigot?"

[boozehound]

How the f-ck is GA suspended and Delonte West DIDN'T get suspended....or did he? Now i'm confused......
he suspended him for violating league policy (guns at the arena). I dont think this would've happened if gil didnt act like a complete moron in philly last night. He obviously is taking the situation lightly and stern wasnt having it.

[bagelred]

One major difference is one brought the guns into his place of work.

But the REAL difference is one guy had his guns loaded strapped on him and one had them UNloaded stored in his locker. Isn't that the important difference?

There's no logic to it........

[oh the horror]

But the REAL difference is one guy had his guns loaded strapped on him and one had them UNloaded stored in his locker. Isn't that the important difference?

There's no logic to it........



The logic is very simple. Your company is more inclined to lay the slap down on you if youre on their grounds with a firearm.



We dont know yet, what the league plans on doing with Delonte. But he has done a good job of not bringing any heat on himself by staying quiet, and just playing some ball. For all we know...if he is convicted, the league could suspend him as well.


Gilbert forced their hand by opening his mouth, and making it a mockery issue. The league sent him home.

[StroShow4]

It would be easier to just start giving out guns as happy meal toys. He'd have 15 guns by the end of the week.

:oldlol: :roll:

[amare68]

they jus giving him a day off on his bday, he will party it up :)
80 mill contract?dnt thnk hes worth tht much

[momo]

Niko.....get us some unlicensed firearms
Knicks101......Find out combination to Eddy Curry's locker
Bano.......Hack into MSG's servers and gain access to card key duplicates
ALBaller......Distract Curry outside MSG so we time to manuever..



Let's move people!!!!! The future of the NYK organization depends our mission......giving Knicks secret salute.......Mission Impossible music plays..........

WIN!


The sad thing is that after going to all that trouble, you would break in and find 3 guns already in the locker.

:roll: Even more win :D

[chazzy]

they jus giving him a day off on his bday, he will party it up :)
80 mill contract?dnt thnk hes worth tht much

Damn didn't know today is his birthday.. nice birthday gift from Stern :oldlol:

[Real Men Wear Green]

No one's said this, so I will: We appear to have learned jack **** from Plaxico Burress.
How the f-ck is GA suspended and Delonte West DIDN'T get suspended....or did he? Now i'm confused......
Because West was at least smart enough not to rub the Commissioner's face in it.

[bagelred]

No one's said this, so I will: We appear to have learned jack **** from Plaxico Burress.
Because West was at least smart enough not to rub the Commissioner's face in it.

I think Arenas is simply an honest guy. He's thinking "geez, I made a mistake, but I didn't kill anyone....". He just doesn't play the corporate game well, so Stern will punish him more?

Oy........

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

No doubt. $10M is a lot to lose....to anybody. But, when have we ever heard about a contract being voided? Not Stephen Jacksons,Tinsleys, not Monta Ellis...no one. What is the Wizards argument anyway?

I'm saying it right now. His contract won't get voided. If I'm wrong I'll use a ****ing Laker avatar for the rest of the season:roll:
the wizards and the nba's argument is that gilbert brought the guns onto nba property. first time since stern implemented strict wording to the agreement between the league and p.a. prohibiting fire arms on team property. (since that agreement, i think a player got caught with a gun on a team plane, but not on league property. also i am sure stern and the wizards (and the rest of the league) are eager to void gilbert's contract asap.

[thejumpa]

the wizards and the nba's argument is that gilbert brought the guns onto nba property. first time since stern implemented strict wording to the agreement between the league and p.a. prohibiting fire arms on team property. (since that agreement, i think a player got caught with a gun on a team plane, but not on league property. also i am sure stern and the wizards (and the rest of the league) are eager to void gilbert's contract asap.

Sebastian Telfair....loaded pistol under his pillow...supposedly his girls gun.

They can be eager all they want (and I'm sure they are), but bringing unloaded guns onto NBA property doesn't seem to be a reason to take away $78M from someone. Well, it's not a very good reason anyway...

[oh the horror]

I think Arenas is simply an honest guy. He's thinking "geez, I made a mistake, but I didn't kill anyone....". He just doesn't play the corporate game well, so Stern will punish him more?

Oy........



You want that corporate money, then you have to play that corporate game. He messed up when he decided to laugh, and make jokes about it. The NBA is a business, and their image means a lot to them. Anyone getting in the way of that, is expendable.

[GOBB]

I think Arenas is simply an honest guy. He's thinking "geez, I made a mistake, but I didn't kill anyone....". He just doesn't play the corporate game well, so Stern will punish him more?

Oy........

No, Gilbert doesnt have a sense of reality. What he did wasnt anything to joke, make light of. His whole thinkin is he didnt shoot or kill anyone whats the big deal? Not the fact you broke a league rule. Not the fact he better hope those guns are registered. Not the fact that you're now being investigated. He's not honest, he's stupid. There is a difference. Gilbert doesnt know the difference. Thats a problem.

He's the guy who is funny and jokes too much. And there comes a time where the joke isnt funny, intended and you go too far. There is no argument to say he didnt go to far. The NBA wouldnt have reacted this way if Gilbert wasnt pulling his pants down showing his ass and dancing like the banana smiley ISH has :banana: He made fun of it online and in front of fans. Not even the Wizs franchise felt his act was funny.

For him to think he has to do something extreme before he cuts the shenanigans? Shows how much disconnected he can be to reality. And no I dont think he should do time, be kicked out the NBA or any other extreme response that may have been given here. But I do think he should smarten up. Makes too much money for it to be denied and the legal issues which can be a headache could have been avoided. Who knows what happens maybe nothing, maybe something. The fact that you're in in this position where people are now investigating, lookin into, determining things that could/could not affect your life? Stupid, much like Gilbert has been ever since this story broke.

You'd think he'd shut up and say nothing. Thats the smart thing to do, but he's stupid errr honest. :hammerhead:

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

Sebastian Telfair....loaded pistol under his pillow...supposedly his girls gun.

They can be eager all they want (and I'm sure they are), but bringing unloaded guns onto NBA property doesn't seem to be a reason to take away $78M from someone. Well, it's not a very good reason anyway...
he is bringing bad publicity to the nba. stern, here is a guy that makes his players wear suits to games and after games. he doesn't want the league portrayed as some gangster gangster league. gilbert is an absolute idiot for putting himself into a situation such as this. if gil kept them guns in his locker, maybe i agree with you. but joke or not, you don't put 3 guns onto somebodies seat after a heated argument and think that player is gonna take it as a joke.

[A.M.G.]

Sebastian Telfair....loaded pistol under his pillow...supposedly his girls gun.

They can be eager all they want (and I'm sure they are), but bringing unloaded guns onto NBA property doesn't seem to be a reason to take away $78M from someone. Well, it's not a very good reason anyway...
It's not the NBA that is going to take away his money, but I assume the Wizards organization would leap at the opportunity to void his contract. And depending on what he is charged with and whether he is convicted, that is just what they might have.

Has he been charged with anything yet? I know Gilbert says it was a joke and that he didn't threaten Crittenton, but what has Crittenton said about it? And was Gilbert seriously refusing to pay a gambling debt when he makes $20 million a year?

[bagelred]

No, Gilbert doesnt have a sense of reality. What he did wasnt anything to joke, make light of. His whole thinkin is he didnt shoot or kill anyone whats the big deal? Not the fact you broke a league rule. Not the fact he better hope those guns are registered. Not the fact that you're now being investigated. He's not honest, he's stupid. There is a difference. Gilbert doesnt know the difference. Thats a problem.

He's the guy who is funny and jokes too much. And there comes a time where the joke isnt funny, intended and you go too far. There is no argument to say he didnt go to far. The NBA wouldnt have reacted this way if Gilbert wasnt pulling his pants down showing his ass and dancing like the banana smiley ISH has :banana: He made fun of it online and in front of fans. Not even the Wizs franchise felt his act was funny.

For him to think he has to do something extreme before he cuts the shenanigans? Shows how much disconnected he can be to reality. And no I dont think he should do time, be kicked out the NBA or any other extreme response that may have been given here. But I do think he should smarten up. Makes too much money for it to be denied and the legal issues which can be a headache could have been avoided. Who knows what happens maybe nothing, maybe something. The fact that you're in in this position where people are now investigating, lookin into, determining things that could/could not affect your life? Stupid, much like Gilbert has been ever since this story broke.

You'd think he'd shut up and say nothing. Thats the smart thing to do, but he's stupid errr honest. :hammerhead:

So you think he should be punished more because he's an idiot? I don't.

And everyone LOVES the little banana guy, don't you? :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

This is the same David Stern who didn't punish Isiah Thomas when he was found responsible for sexual harassment....am I right? WTF?

How DARE you Gilbert....How DARE you......finger wagging.........give me a break. Punish the guy....make sure punishment fits the crime....let's be done with it....But a whole rest of season or more would be outrageous.

[The_Yearning]

Void his contract, tank, and then get johnny wall and sign CB4?

[A.M.G.]

So you think he should be punished more because he's an idiot? I don't.

And everyone LOVES the little banana guy, don't you? :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

This is the same David Stern who didn't punish Isiah Thomas when he was found responsible for sexual harassment....am I right? WTF?

How DARE you Gilbert....How DARE you......finger wagging.........give me a break. Punish the guy....make sure punishment fits the crime....let's be done with it....But a whole rest of season or more would be outrageous.
Sexual harrassment is pretty different from assualt and illegal weapons charges, and how the NBA deals with a General Manager is pretty different from how they deal with players.

[Soundwave]

I think Arenas probably was thinking if he makes light of the situation or makes it into a "joke" (like he was pulling to gun out on a teammate as a "joke") that it would blow over easier. So he was probably doing that stuff as part of a strategy, but it just dug himself deeper into a hole.

Pretty bad miscalculation, lol.

[bagelred]

Sexual harrassment is pretty different from assualt and illegal weapons charges, and how the NBA deals with a General Manager is pretty different from how they deal with players.

:lol There ya have it.......

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

It's not the NBA that is going to take away his money, but I assume the Wizards organization would leap at the opportunity to void his contract. And depending on what he is charged with and whether he is convicted, that is just what they might have.

Has he been charged with anything yet? I know Gilbert says it was a joke and that he didn't threaten Crittenton, but what has Crittenton said about it? And was Gilbert seriously refusing to pay a gambling debt when he makes $20 million a year?
this is what i want to know..

[thejumpa]

he is bringing bad publicity to the nba. stern, here is a guy that makes his players wear suits to games and after games. he doesn't want the league portrayed as some gangster gangster league. gilbert is an absolute idiot for putting himself into a situation such as this. if gil kept them guns in his locker, maybe i agree with you. but joke or not, you don't put 3 guns onto somebodies seat after a heated argument and think that player is gonna take it as a joke.

I agree....Arenas is an idiot. To be honest, I have never felt like he was worth $121M...always thought he was a smartass. I'm sure of that now:oldlol:. But, that doesn't mean they should take all his money. Suspension,fine...yes. A loss of $78M over this?. Come on, you can't possibly think that's reasonable. That's assuming no one was threatened, though.

The Wiz feel stupid for signing him and see a perfect opportunity to get that money back seeing as they aren't going anywhere. I understand that. Based off of what he have seen in the past, I can't see them having a real strong argument.

It will all come down to what really happened between him and that bench player, though.

[The_Yearning]

JC ain't got to say jack sheet about the situation. He's the victim in this propaganda...

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

I think Arenas probably was thinking if he makes light of the situation or makes it into a "joke" (like he was pulling to gun out on a teammate as a "joke") that it would blow over easier. So he was probably doing that stuff as part of a strategy, but it just dug himself deeper into a hole.

Pretty bad miscalculation, lol.
really who the fck would think like this? it's just mind boggling how fcking stupid a millionaire can be at times.

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

I agree....Arenas is an idiot. To be honest, I have never felt like he was worth $121M...always thought he was a smartass. I'm sure of that now:oldlol:. But, that doesn't mean they should take all his money. Suspension,fine...yes. A loss of $78M over this?. Come on, you can't possibly think that's reasonable. That's assuming no one was threatened, though.

The Wiz feel stupid for signing him and see a perfect opportunity to get that money back seeing as they aren't going anywhere. I understand that. Based off of what he have seen in the past, I can't see them having a real strong argument.

It will all come down to what really happened between him and that bench player, though.
i agree with your post. however imo if gilbert sees any jail time, the wizards will have a strong case to cease his contract.

[GOBB]

So you think he should be punished more because he's an idiot? I don't.

Punished more? He was suspended indefinately. He was probably gonna be suspended after the legal process ran its course. But now? He's being suspended early until they determine his actual suspension because he was acting a fool. He brought this on himself. What punished more are we speaking on?

Voiding contract? That'll be a fight. Cant think of anything else.


But a whole rest of season or more would be outrageous.

If its more than the rest of this season? I'll agree. But with Gilbert who knows what he says or does now. Could rub Stern the wrong way even more.

[craiye]

So you think he should be punished more because he's an idiot? I don't.

And everyone LOVES the little banana guy, don't you? :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

This is the same David Stern who didn't punish Isiah Thomas when he was found responsible for sexual harassment....am I right? WTF?

How DARE you Gilbert....How DARE you......finger wagging.........give me a break. Punish the guy....make sure punishment fits the crime....let's be done with it....But a whole rest of season or more would be outrageous.
The difference between Isiah and Gilbert is pretty big. I agree that they should have suspended Isiah without pay for 30 days, but on the other hand he didn't rub Stern's face in it. Isiah didn't get on Twitter and ***** about how everyone was picking on him.

I mean, I'm sure if Isiah would have dry humped that broad during a televised game than they would have taken some more disciplinary action. That's pretty comparable to the reaction Arenas put on last night.

[beasly15]

so when somebody gets suspended without pay, where does that money go?? back to the owner?? the nba?? stern's pockets??

[The_Yearning]

so when somebody gets suspended without pay, where does that money go?? back to the owner?? the nba?? stern's pockets??

damn are you stupid? without pay means the guy that was paying you stopped paying you...so in this case it would be the owner...seriously...

[Real Men Wear Green]

So you think he should be punished more because he's an idiot? I don't.

And everyone LOVES the little banana guy, don't you? :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

This is the same David Stern who didn't punish Isiah Thomas when he was found responsible for sexual harassment....am I right? WTF?

How DARE you Gilbert....How DARE you......finger wagging.........give me a break. Punish the guy....make sure punishment fits the crime....let's be done with it....But a whole rest of season or more would be outrageous.
That's not what GoBB said (and I agree with) at all. You remember the phrase, "you play too much" when we were kids? That's Arenas. Whether or not Stern is being fair isn't the issue. What the deal is, is that Stern has the power to punish Arenas severely so Arenas had better straighten his **** out, stop trying to be so damn funny and realize everything he stands to lose. Because sports commissioners will absolutely make an example out of a player like Arenas to convey the message to the public as well as the other players that the behavior isn't tolerated. Is that going to lead to a fair punishment? Probably not. But it's what's going to happen. It's reality. And so Arenas had better deal with it, because Stern isn't going anywhere, and even if he did, whoever replaced him wouldn't put up with **** either.

[beasly15]

damn are you stupid? without pay means the guy that was paying you stopped paying you...so in this case it would be the owner...seriously...

but you know stern has to get some of that. he just dabs the owner and says "we got him, have my money ready".

[bdreason]

If he had just said, "no comment", he'd still be playing and getting paid.

Gilberts mouth may have just cost him 80 million and his job.

[oh the horror]

If he had just said, "no comment".


Thats the route I would have taken. NO COMMENT.

[DTD]

Arenas is not very bright...to say the least.

When you are under investigation, and your future monetary contract is possibly in doubt, the last thing you want to do is attract unwanted attention by mimicking a gun shooting in front of 20,000 people and the TV cameras....Joking or not, it's the last thing the NBA and Stern want to see. That had to have been the last straw. Arenas just doesn't get it.

I mean seriously, does he even have a functioning brain?

[itsGameTime]

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/9690/gilbertarenas0110580.jpg

The funny thing is Brendon Haywood hinted at this before, when he was singing "I've got a big ego-o-o", that song by Kanye/Beyonce when Arenas was talking to reporters and throwing his teammates under the bus earlier in the season after a string of losses.

It seems like in that picture, the wizards set Arenas up. It was all planned :oldlol:

[thejumpa]

hahah it does look like they set him up! I wonder what his teammates are thinking now. Surely they saw this coming. Deshawn Stephenson seems like a smart guy...

[33teeth]

Enough with people talking about the NBA "taking his money."

If his contract gets voided it's because he wasn't holding up his end of the bargain. He hasn't earned that money yet. He was going to get paid that money IF he did the things the contract laid out. It's NOT his!

[rezznor]

some recent arenas twitter posts




I am going green.no more fun for awhile. So here we go.. I landed in cleveland and its colder then the press heart..


I wanna say sorry if I pissed any body off by us havin fun...I'm sorry for anything u need to blame for for right now..

I know everybody seen the pre game pics..my teammate thought to break the tention we should do that..but this is gettn way to much

[GOBB]

If he had just said, "no comment", he'd still be playing and getting paid.

Gilberts mouth may have just cost him 80 million and his job.

Thats the bottomline. He forced Sterns hand here.


You remember the phrase, "you play too much" when we were kids? That's Arenas.

Bingo!

[bagelred]

The difference between Isiah and Gilbert is pretty big. I agree that they should have suspended Isiah without pay for 30 days, but on the other hand he didn't rub Stern's face in it. Isiah didn't get on Twitter and ***** about how everyone was picking on him.

I mean, I'm sure if Isiah would have dry humped that broad during a televised game than they would have taken some more disciplinary action. That's pretty comparable to the reaction Arenas put on last night.

People think bringing an unloaded gun into the arena is worse than sexual harassment? WTF?????

[vert48]

At what point did Michael Vick realize that he was in deep sh!t, and realize that losing it all was possible?

Arenas has not gotten there yet.

[kkling]

If his teammates told him to do that gun fingers crap, they're just as dumb as he is.

[rezznor]

People think bringing an unloaded gun into the arena is worse than sexual harassment? WTF?????
the NBA is already fighting a "gangsta" image problem, i don't see them having a sexual harassment image problem...

[ElPigto]

How DARE you Gilbert....How DARE you......finger wagging.........give me a break. Punish the guy....make sure punishment fits the crime....let's be done with it....But a whole rest of season or more would be outrageous.

My sources tell me that David Stern and Gilbert Arenas had a meeting in Cleveland at "the Q". Many confirmed that Stern could be heard screaming in his office to Gilbert:

"Gilbert SCREWED Gilbert"

More to follow...

http://stevemasonsmog.typepad.com/.a/6a00e398207183883301156fb3b676970c-800wi

[Real Men Wear Green]

If his teammates told him to do that gun fingers crap, they're just as dumb as he is.
Or they just didn't care. I could be wrong, but I just couldn't see all this **** happening to a guy like Antwan Jamison.

[craiye]

People think bringing an unloaded gun into the arena is worse than sexual harassment? WTF?????
Did I say that? No. I wish Stern would have had some kind of disciplinary action for Isiah. Fact is, Arenas is much more of a rep for the NBA than IT was as the GM of the Knicks.

Stern is going to be more concerned about how someone like Arenas is affecting the NBAs image than how IT was simply because the NBA already has a perceived player image problem.

If Arenas would have just shut his mouth he'd still be playing and getting paid. He had to go and rub the commishes nose in it. Any idiot should know you don't mock the boss.

[vert48]

If his teammates told him to do that gun fingers crap, they're just as dumb as he is.Or maybe they are just evil geniuses that realize they can get out from under his contract and be a better team. Mwahahah!!

[thejumpa]

Amen....I mocked my boss and got sent home. True ****ing story.

[kkling]

Or maybe they are just evil geniuses that realize they can get out from under his contract and be a better team. Mwahahah!!

Yeah, thought of that, I guess that's a possibility, I would hope that's not the case though.

[Agent_Zero]

:violin:

how the mighty fall. can't say he's as big of my favorite player as he was before.

[HighFlyer23]

could this potentially be a career ending incident for arenas?

[oh the horror]

And this is a reflection of the mentality of younger people in this country. As if "THE MAN" had it out for Arenas. Boo hoo hoo. They're just out to get him, and take HIS money. We're the victims of circumstance. These things are all out of Gil's hands, and everyone should just lighten up. Woeeee is him.



Are you guys serious?

[niko]

I sometimes wonder if this board is all 15 year olds or people with no jobs. You cannot act this way in representation of a company. ANY of us would be fired if we brought a gun to work. Arenas brought FOUR guns to work. Then, when we all knew he was going to get hammered, he made fun of his boss (Stern) and mocked the fact he was not yet punished. When i was 5 and took cookies from the cookie jar i knew better than to make fun when caught.

To make this even work, he did this in a state with harsh gun laws, with a contract that personally forbids guns and a labor agreement that specifically says no guns.

I hate when people start with the "SEXUAL HARRASMENT IS WORSE, therefor he should be punished less, etc." First of all i don't think sexual harrasment is worse because as bad as it is it doesn't lead to a situation possibly with people dying. And secondly, if it is worse, THEN that situation should be punished more, not Arenas punished less. That logic is so backwards. People automatically want to change the topic.

He's a ****ing idiot. He not only commited a crime, but doesn't appear to understand his trouble increases every time he speaks.

[Kobe Jnr]

Didn't Washington offer him 127 million, but he said no and took less. I'm not sure if that was a rumour or not..

[ElPigto]

Didn't Washington offer him 127 million, but he said no and took less. I'm not sure if that was a rumour or not..


WASHINGTON -- Gilbert Arenas is accepting less money from the Washington Wizards, invoking an attitude far, far removed from the world of his working-class fans.

"What can I do for my family with $127 million that I can't do with $111 million?" he told The Washington Post.

The unpredictable three-time All-Star point guard, in vintage Agent Zero fashion, told the Post and the Washington Times on Thursday that he has agreed to re-sign for $111 million over six years, considerably less than the maximum deal he said the Wizards offered him when the free agency period began on Tuesday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3473164

[MeLO MvP 15]

well at least some charity gets half of his salary for every game he misses

[oh the horror]

I sometimes wonder if this board is all 15 year olds or people with no jobs.



Yes. They are. Havent you seen the thread where people are saying their ages?

[thejumpa]

Sexual harassment is worse than bring unloaded pistols to work IMO. Taunt me with an unloaded pistol and you will get a laugh from me. What are you gonna do? Harass my sister in a sexual manner and you will get an ass beating. Two different situations.

Who could have possibly died when nobody had any bullets?

[Soundwave]

Sexual harassment is worse than bring unloaded pistols to work IMO. Taunt me with an unloaded pistol and you will get a laugh from me. What are you gonna do? Harass my sister in a sexual manner and you will get an ass beating. Two different situations.

Who could have possibly died when nobody had any bullets?

Unless you're best friends with the boss, you're getting fired for bringing guns to any job.

Let alone pointing them at another co-worker.

And then making jokes about it to the media on top of all that.

[D-Rose]

It's all Gil's fault. Even his actions after wards twittering and the gun gestures. This whole story is so sad, we were expecting a renaissance from him this year.

He's probably going to serve some jail time then come back and sign with a team for minimum, similar to Vick.

[Glide2keva]

And this is a reflection of the mentality of younger people in this country. As if "THE MAN" had it out for Arenas. Boo hoo hoo. They're just out to get him, and take HIS money. We're the victims of circumstance. These things are all out of Gil's hands, and everyone should just lighten up. Woeeee is him.



Are you guys serious?
Sadly, yes they are.

[niko]

Sexual harassment is worse than bring unloaded pistols to work IMO. Taunt me with an unloaded pistol and you will get a laugh from me. What are you gonna do? Harass my sister in a sexual manner and you will get an ass beating. Two different situations.

Who could have possibly died when nobody had any bullets?

1) Someone could have taken the gun from his locker. Or stole it. It's guns lying in a locker.
2) Gilbert, who is insane, could have decided to go get bullets when one of his teammates pissed him off.
3) Teammate pissed at other person could have threated with gun.
4) Teammate could have brought his own gun in loaded when Arenas threatened him with a gun.

People have to get off this unloaded ****. It's easier to get bullets than guns. Are you all suburbanites or something? I can count at least 6-7 times in my life i've seen shots fired in anger, it's a bad idea just for anyone to have a gun concealed in public. Plus Arenas is at best a ****ing idiot and at worst insane. This man has 4 guns?

And for those of you who want to judge one wores than another, your opinion is irrelevent, one can get you fired and one can get you in jail so society has already deemed one worse than another.

[thejumpa]

Unless you're best friends with the boss, you're getting fired for bringing guns to any job.

Let alone pointing them at another co-worker.

And then making jokes about it to the media on top of all that.

No ****. Where I used to work, sexual harassment was a good enough reason for getting fired, too. What's your point?

Do you know he pointed pistols at anyone? Or are you just going to believe everything the media says before the whole story is unveiled?

BTW....a couple people carried pistols at my job. They weren't stored anywhere, but a couple people had them there. It isn't the smartest thing to do, but don't assume that you would get fired JUST for having a gun.

[SAKOTXA]

So how long do you guys think his suspension is going to be?

[vert48]

BTW....a couple people carried pistols at my job. They weren't stored anywhere, but a couple people had them there. It isn't the smartest thing to do, but don't assume that you would get fired JUST for having a gun.If your place of work has a strict, well known, no gun policy, yeah, you should assume you will get fired if you bring a gun.

[niko]

No ****. Where I used to work, sexual harassment was a good enough reason for getting fired, too. What's your point?

Do you know he pointed pistols at anyone? Or are you just going to believe everything the media says before the whole story is unveiled?

BTW....a couple people carried pistols at my job. They weren't stored anywhere, but a couple people had them there. It isn't the smartest thing to do, but don't assume that you would get fired JUST for having a gun.

yes, i would. i more than likely would have charges brought against me too. my friend is in sanitation. it says IN the city contracts no weapons at work. you'd be fired for a threatening looking knife.

if i did what arenas did, not only would i be fired, 100% i would have charges brought against me. i'd probably get taken to the police by security.

you people are nuts. you can't pull out guns, and say "hey they aren't loaded, it's ok" he committed THREE felonies at work. Maybe you are under the impression he's not in trouble here, he's going to get indicted any day now on THREE felonies.

:confusedshrug: you are out of your mind if you think this isn't serious.

Note: i don't think harrasment is a little thing. my initial point was people bring that **** up to change the topic. for some reason people think men who get paid millions to bounce a basketball should not lose that right even if they commit crimes, act like idiots, etc.

[Glide2keva]

So how long do you guys think his suspension is going to be?
Ever

[ShabbaWiz]

Holy ****, I just read an article which said there is a possibility for the Wiz to void Arenas contract.
I hope this happens. He has disappointed all of us.

[SAKOTXA]

Ever

So this is basically like Chris Andersen's suspension?

[Real Men Wear Green]

So how long do you guys think his suspension is going to be?
PRobably the rest of the season. As bad as the meeting might have been, Stern did actually meet with Arenas, which means he's not getting kicked out of the league. If Stern was just going to take an axe to his contract, why bother meeting?

[elementally morale]

At what point did Michael Vick realize that he was in deep sh!t, and realize that losing it all was possible?

Arenas has not gotten there yet.

Some people learn the hard way. remember that famous song from the band 'Queen'? Easy come easy go, little high little low.

I won't feel sorry for Arenas. Not because I think he is a sinner, but because for some reason I feel basketball is not THAT important to him and he has way more money than most people do even if he will lose some of his contract money over this. And really, besides basketball games and money... this isn't about anything else from Arenas' point of view. He was stupid and now he is going to pay the price.

So be it, Jedi as the Emperor in Star Wars told Luke Skywalker. So be it, Gilbert. Said Stern.

http://davidpriebe.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/palpatine6.jpg

[thejumpa]

1) Someone could have taken the gun from his locker. Or stole it. It's guns lying in a locker.
2) Gilbert, who is insane, could have decided to go get bullets when one of his teammates pissed him off.
3) Teammate pissed at other person could have threated with gun.
4) Teammate could have brought his own gun in loaded when Arenas threatened him with a gun.


Sexual harassment can't lead to jail time?

Supposedly, the locker was locked. Everything else you said could have happened whether guns were there or not. Also, both of us have NO idea who was threatened. Hell, we don't know if it happened at all.

BTW...I'm not from the suburbs. Gun play is nothing new to me. I agree with you that concealed pistols in public is never a good idea, though. Dude is a clown. That being said, if I were him (or any famous celebrity/athlete), I'd have a gun, too. 4? IDK about that...

[JustinJDW]

Wow, **** you David Stern!

[beasted86]

This is well deserved.

If any normal person brought four unloaded guns to work, and even in a joke put one on a co-worker's desk... we'd be sitting in jail, and would be headed to the unemployment office once we got out.

[niko]

From a legal site
"Depending on what facts are discovered in other interviews with possible witnesses to the Dec. 21 locker room confrontation between Arenas and previously obscure guard Javaris Crittenton, the official said one likely outcome would be the following: Arenas, 27, would be permitted to plead guilty to charges of carrying a pistol without a license, a felony that carries a maximum of five years in prison. Such a charge would require a grand jury indictment, which could be acquired quickly since five grand juries are seated at any given time in the District. Any other charges -- which could include misdemeanor counts for possession of unregistered firearms, carrying maximum jail time of six months for each count -- would be dismissed. In exchange for Arenas' cooperation and guilty plea, the prosecutor would ask for no jail time."

"Given his prior offense, however, a judge might consider jail time in this case," one of the law enforcement officials said. "It all depends on which judge he draws." Arenas pleaded guilty to charges of failing to maintain proper registration of a firearm in California in 2003 while playing for the Golden State Warriors."

So it has potential of 5 to 6 years with a hardass judge (and he already has embarassed the city, etc.) or nothing IF he gets lucky and they ignore a prior charge also related to guns.

This is serious. If some of you don't think it's a big deal, your opinion is noted, but when a situation outside your control now threatens to put you in jail, it is probably serious.

[vert48]

So how long do you guys think his suspension is going to be?He is gone for the season for certain, but the real question is whether or not he stays out of prison.

Plaxico was going to prison the second the story got out. New York's laws left no doubt about that. Does anyone have any knowledge about the laws in DC, and what is going to happen?

[Glide2keva]

So this is basically like Chris Andersen's suspension?
Possibly, but I would bet the farm on him coming back in any capacity.

Dude did the ultimate no-no.

People in here defending him have no concept of consequences.

Arenas is going to see jail time and will lose all of the remainder of his contract, bank on that.

This is D.C. and the owner of the team (RIP) changed the name of the team from the Bullets to the Wizrds, just to get away from the gunplay perception.

The guns weren't registered and they were placed in his locker which is in direct violation of his contract and the collective bargaining agreement. The front office isn't standing by him and the PA would be fools to go near him.

He has acted like a classless jerk about the seriousness of the situation and doesn't deserve to benefit from this.

[ShabbaWiz]

So how long do you guys think his suspension is going to be?
Probably a year or so.

[thejumpa]

yes, i would. i more than likely would have charges brought against me too. my friend is in sanitation. it says IN the city contracts no weapons at work. you'd be fired for a threatening looking knife.


A threatening looking knife? Huh?

If you really think that he will be hit with 3 felonies, then I guess we will have to wait and see. It's going to be interesting.

[niko]

Sexual harassment can't lead to jail time?

Supposedly, the locker was locked. Everything else you said could have happened whether guns were there or not. Also, both of us have NO idea who was threatened. Hell, we don't know if it happened at all.

BTW...I'm not from the suburbs. Gun play is nothing new to me. I agree with you that concealed pistols in public is never a good idea, though. Dude is a clown. That being said, if I were him (or any famous celebrity/athlete), I'd have a gun, too. 4? IDK about that...

i have HAD a gun before. With a permit. and IN THE HOUSE. You keep it in the house because you can't bring it outside. if someone said "im going to kill your wife" then i'd take it outside the house to protect her. (If you want to know why i don't have it anymore, the laws changed, you need a range permit now, and i can't afford that reasonably, plus we live in a much safer neighborhood)

And Arena - He took it to work! For no reason. And then he showed it to a teammate, which to be honest sounds either stupid or like he was trying to be intimidating. And this is a guy who could afford bodyguards. Chauffers. BRINGING THE WHOLE ****ING CLUB TO HIS HOUSE if he wanted.

And Sexual harrasment very rarely leads to jail time. I've seen people not even get fired for bull**** that i think they should have been dragged outside and beaten for and then fired. :confusedshrug:

when i say more serious i mean legally, not morally.

[niko]

A threatening looking knife? Huh?

If you really think that he will be hit with 3 felonies, then I guess we will have to wait and see. It's going to be interesting.

He's going to get indicted on 1 case of illegal possesion for each gun, and all are felonies. he can plead down, but the indictment will be a few felonies - that's what he is accused of/

[niko]

A threatening looking knife? Huh?

If you really think that he will be hit with 3 felonies, then I guess we will have to wait and see. It's going to be interesting.

if i pulled out a big knife to show you at my job, and showed the wrong person, there is definite potential of being fired.

[ShabbaWiz]

Being a Wizards fan also an NBA fan makes this all so upsetting to me. Just hard to understand Gil's actions.

[thejumpa]

i have HAD a gun before. With a permit. and IN THE HOUSE. You keep it in the house because you can't bring it outside. if someone said "im going to kill your wife" then i'd take it outside the house to protect her. (If you want to know why i don't have it anymore, the laws changed, you need a range permit now, and i can't afford that reasonably, plus we live in a much safer neighborhood)

And Arena - He took it to work! For no reason. And then he showed it to a teammate, which to be honest sounds either stupid or like he was trying to be intimidating. And this is a guy who could afford bodyguards. Chauffers. BRINGING THE WHOLE ****ING CLUB TO HIS HOUSE if he wanted.

And Sexual harrasment very rarely leads to jail time. I've seen people not even get fired for bull**** that i think they should have been dragged outside and beaten for and then fired. :confusedshrug:

when i say more serious i mean legally, not morally.

Well, he DID take it to work for a reason. It was a lame ass reason, I'll agree...but he did say it was because of his kids being born:confusedshrug:

Bodyguards don't always do the job. If someone wants to get at you, they will. Bodyguard or not. He should have had some anyway, though. Sometimes people feel better with the gun actually on them. If I were him, I know I would. You probably would too.

I'm not even trying to defend Arenas, because he was being an idiot. I'm just not trying to jump to conclusions as no one knows the whole story, yet. Hopefully you understand that.

[vert48]

From a legal site
"Depending on what facts are discovered in other interviews with possible witnesses to the Dec. 21 locker room confrontation between Arenas and previously obscure guard Javaris Crittenton, the official said one likely outcome would be the following: Arenas, 27, would be permitted to plead guilty to charges of carrying a pistol without a license, a felony that carries a maximum of five years in prison. Such a charge would require a grand jury indictment, which could be acquired quickly since five grand juries are seated at any given time in the District. Any other charges -- which could include misdemeanor counts for possession of unregistered firearms, carrying maximum jail time of six months for each count -- would be dismissed. In exchange for Arenas' cooperation and guilty plea, the prosecutor would ask for no jail time."

"Given his prior offense, however, a judge might consider jail time in this case," one of the law enforcement officials said. "It all depends on which judge he draws." Arenas pleaded guilty to charges of failing to maintain proper registration of a firearm in California in 2003 while playing for the Golden State Warriors."

So it has potential of 5 to 6 years with a hardass judge (and he already has embarassed the city, etc.) or nothing IF he gets lucky and they ignore a prior charge also related to guns.

This is serious. If some of you don't think it's a big deal, your opinion is noted, but when a situation outside your control now threatens to put you in jail, it is probably serious.So, it is different than in New York, where Plax got mandatory jail time. I am sure that Gilbert has already spoken with legal counsel about this, but he needs to stop f'ing around, and take things seriously. The latest garbage in pre game shows that he still had no idea how serious this is about to get.

[elementally morale]

Being a Wizards fan also an NBA fan makes this all so upsetting to me. Just hard to understand Gil's actions.

There is nothing to understand there, I'm afraid.

He didn't do it because he was thinking something special. He did it because he is someone who refuses to think. He comes accross as a person mentally capable of making use of cognitive functions, but for some reason he thinks things need to be said and done in a 'genuine' way that is also your first reaction. The guy is 'honest' and being dumb on purpose.

He thinks it is nice to show in a professional organization that you are 'different'. Well, being different is fine if you ask me, but if you want to be different you will have to do it somewhere else because the company is not going to tolerate that.

It is perfectly fine to refuse growing up, but you have to pay the price of being dealed with like a child as a result.

[OneMoreSucka]

It's rather hilarious how throughout his whole career we've been saying "man, if only he could stay away from injuries and stay on the court." Now the one time he's actually healthy, this happens :roll:

What a chump, he had it coming. The league is better without him.

[MeLO MvP 15]

this is a good article about the contract status
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/01/06/arenas-suspension-could-save-wizards-5-million-this-season/

[The_Yearning]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3473164

lmao i would of taken that 127 mil...

[vert48]

The guns weren't registered and they were placed in his locker which is in direct violation of his contract and the collective bargaining agreement. The front office isn't standing by him and the PAThe PA is going to back him on this for sure. The WORST thing that could happen to the PA is having the contract voided. That sets a precedent that the PA will avoid at all costs.

My guess is that we will see a faux buyout, where the amount is not reported, or both sides will just agree to walk away.

[DC Zephyrs]

I really hope the Wiz can void his contract. We can miss the playoffs perfectly fine without you, Gilbert.

[jaydacris]

this topic should be prly be stickied

[godofgods]

This is the only thing that David Stern ever got right in his entire career.

[The_Yearning]

This is the only thing that David Stern ever got right in his entire career.

What about the Artest incident...he was more than looney then...

[godofgods]

What about the Artest incident...he was more than looney then...

He didn't get that one right. He should've banned BOTH Ben Wallace and Ron Artest FOR LIFE.

[craiye]

if i pulled out a big knife to show you at my job, and showed the wrong person, there is definite potential of being fired.
I've fired someone for pulling a big knife at work to show it to someone else. Brandishing a weapon, can't have that in the workplace. The guy filed for unemployment and lost. No criminal charges or anything, but just having the weapons at work is grounds for termination virtually anywhere except Dunder Mifflin.

[KB2009Champ]

wasnt able to post in this thread all day.

just want to say that gilbert has gotta be the dumbest mofo out there. i'm not even talking about the gun stuff, i'm talking about the way he's handled things since. wtf was dude thinking last night? stern had no choice but to suspend him today. its no coincidence.

[KAJ=GOAT]

Who cares. This is what should have happened, anyway.

Still $80M strong.....you think he gives a **** right now?


You're incredibly naive, young, or just outright stupid.

80 million will not last forever, especially when its in the hands of such a foolish person.



http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153364/index.htm

[thejumpa]

You're incredibly naive, young, or just outright stupid.

80 million will not last forever, especially when its in the hands of such a foolish person.



http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153364/index.htm

Unless Arenas has some incredibly stupid spending habits, $80M will last a longggggggg time. No offense, but trying to tell anyone the opposite is stupid.

[D-Rose]

Unless Arenas has some incredibly stupid spending habits, $80M will last a longggggggg time. No offense, but trying to tell anyone the opposite is stupid.
No it's not stupid to think at all.

That 80 million is a figure before taxes are taken into consideration.

Then you have Athletes constantly spending money not only on themselves but on others. They make dumb investments maybe on a business or a stock and they lose lots of cash. They think their money never runs out. MAny can run into problems with the IRS. Also paying taxes on property when you buy properrty worth millions is crazy.

Does the NBA have a financial counselor program? That would help like crazy.

[craiye]

Unless Arenas has some incredibly stupid spending habits, $80M will last a longggggggg time. No offense, but trying to tell anyone the opposite is stupid.
Look at Arenas's actions over the past month and his general behavior since hitting the spotlight. He's already got a pretty obvious gambling problem. Can you seriously tell me with a straight face that you think Gilbert isn't capable of having incredibly stupid spending habits?

Of all current NBA players, Gilbert is at (or near) the top of the list of players I'd assume will be broke 5 years after they're out of the NBA.

[thejumpa]

D-Rose, I see what you're saying....but it's a bit premature to assume that $80M (We'll say 40-50 after taxes) won't last Arenas a long time. Don't ya think?

I mean, we don't know anything about what he does in his personal life, except that he likes guns lol. Not only that, but not every athlete blows their money. Especially if they are making $16M, made a lot before this contract, and have had no history of bad spending habits. I'd rather not stereotype.

[craiye]

da hole ting be rasist. It cus he blak

Wow, you spelled two words right. Congrats - gold star for you my friend.

[KAJ=GOAT]

damn are you stupid? without pay means the guy that was paying you stopped paying you...so in this case it would be the owner...seriously...


Its sad isn't it?

People really are, that stupid.

[thejumpa]

Look at Arenas's actions over the past month and his general behavior since hitting the spotlight. He's already got a pretty obvious gambling problem. Can you seriously tell me with a straight face that you think Gilbert isn't capable of having incredibly stupid spending habits?

Of all current NBA players, Gilbert is at (or near) the top of the list of players I'd assume will be broke 5 years after they're out of the NBA.

Gambling problem? Explain....

He will be broke after 5 years? :oldlol: It's obvious you don't know what you are talking about...at all.

[KAJ=GOAT]

People think bringing an unloaded gun into the arena is worse than sexual harassment? WTF?????


You go to your job, or school,
lay 3 guns down on a table, get into an argument with someone.


Then see what happens.

You, are incredibly funking stupid if you don't realize the severity of the issue at hand. Whats next?

Putting guns in their waistbands for games?

"Its not loaded, I don't see what the big deal is".


Your mother should have swallowed you.

[craiye]

Gambling problem? Explain....

He will be broke after 5 years? :oldlol: It's obvious you don't know what you are talking about...at all.
Maybe the NY Post is full of it, but there have been many reports saying that this whole thing with Critt was due to Gilbert backing out a gambling debt.

The going broke after 5 years is from an SI article a few months back about how many athletes go broke within a few years of retirement - it was a huge percentage of NBA players. I'll find a link and post it.

Just look at Antoine Walker - dude is already broke. I'd say Gilbert's IQ is about on the same level.

[Long Duck Dong]

Unless Arenas has some incredibly stupid spending habits, $80M will last a longggggggg time. No offense, but trying to tell anyone the opposite is stupid.

Of course the guy has stupid spending habits. He's an idiot afterall. Latrell Sprewell blew through more than that. Last we heard they were foreclosing on his houses and repo'ing car and yachts. Tyson blew through 300 million. Besides Arenas isn't likely to see very much of that 80 mil, and he will never land an elite level contact again.

The sad thing is both he and you don't know how badly he dont effed up his life the last few days.

[craiye]

Gambling problem? Explain....

He will be broke after 5 years? :oldlol: It's obvious you don't know what you are talking about...at all.

Here's the SI link:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153364/index.htm


Within five years of retirement, an estimated 60% of former NBA players are broke.

Much more if you click the link.

[KAJ=GOAT]

Unless Arenas has some incredibly stupid spending habits, $80M will last a longggggggg time. No offense, but trying to tell anyone the opposite is stupid.


Your dumbass didn't even read the article.

I know its a bit long for someone of your caliber, but really,

you should at least try.

[thejumpa]

Maybe the NY Post is full of it, but there have been many reports saying that this whole thing with Critt was due to Gilbert backing out a gambling debt.

The going broke after 5 years is from an SI article a few months back about how many athletes go broke within a few years of retirement - it was a huge percentage of NBA players. I'll find a link and post it.

Just look at Antoine Walker - dude is already broke. I'd say Gilbert's IQ is about on the same level.

No need to find the link. I believe I have seen that article and lot of it is true. Doesn't mean that it applies to everyone, though. Aside from Antoine Walker, who apparently really did have a gambling problem, which superstar NBA player have you heard of going broke?

The guy has made TONS of money up until now, we hear 1 story about him not wanting to pay a gambling debt, and you assume he has a problem? Come on, man....

[dyna]

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/9690/gilbertarenas0110580.jpg


:lol :hammerhead:

[kobesabi]

He should be suspended for severely or even BANNED from NBA to set example of consequences to discourage others from even thinking of doing that **** again.

I hope Javaris Crittenton sued Arenas azz off for tons of $.

[phoenix18]

He should be suspended for severely or even BANNED from NBA to set example of consequences to discourage others from even thinking of doing that **** again.

I hope Javaris Crittenton sued Arenas azz off for tons of $.

Banned? For real?

Even if he was, he would probably make 30 million a year playing for Olympiacos and live like a King.

[Long Duck Dong]

Banned? For real?

Even if he was, he would probably make 30 million a year playing for Olympiacos and live like a King.

If he gets charged and convicted of a felony, he might not be able to get a visa to work overseas.

[niko]

No need to find the link. I believe I have seen that article and lot of it is true. Doesn't mean that it applies to everyone, though. Aside from Antoine Walker, who apparently really did have a gambling problem, which superstar NBA player have you heard of going broke?

The guy has made TONS of money up until now, we hear 1 story about him not wanting to pay a gambling debt, and you assume he has a problem? Come on, man....

not broke from gambling, but there is actually a good percentage of nba players who lose most if not all of their money after retirement. i don't remember the pct but it was a "you have to be ****ing kidding" kind of percentage. we are picking on the nba but its not just them, its all athletes.

[niko]

BTW, the **** coming out, it looks liek some of this being gambling related, etc. might be true. Washington post just broke something. This thought that he was just stupidly showing his guns to critterton seems like wishful thinking.

[bagelred]

Remember when O.J. Simspon just got acquitted of murder, then outside he was laughing it up with his lawyers Cochran and Shapiro, making those mocking stabbing motions?



Good times..........

[Glide2keva]

Do some people only care about money?

He won't be able to spend any of his money in prison if he gets convicted.

[Bodin]

If he gets charged and convicted of a felony, he might not be able to get a visa to work overseas.

Not only that, would he even be allowed in most countries? I know if you're entering the USA (from Canada) with a criminal record they will turn you away.

He really ****ed up this time and this is only the beginning.

[AznTacoLover]

This all whole incident.. is just so stupid.. wizards just might get his contract voided.

[icemanfan]

Yeah, but how much will he stand to lose this season? 10 mil maybe? That's a lot of money obviously, but he will be payed tons in the future. Based off everything we have seen, past and present, they won't be able to void his contract.
they can and will. If he gets convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony its automatic.

[gts]

they can and will. If he gets convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony its automatic.
yeah..the nba is probably the least of his problems at this point

[LA_Showtime]

I would feel bad for him if he wasn't such a moron.

1) Says it's not that big of a deal

2) Makes fun of David Stern

3) Pretends to shoot his teammates

4) Questionable twitter comments

... This guy shot himself in the foot multiple times. I hope he doesn't lose his contract, but if he does he's got no one to blame but himself.

[Nero Tulip]

I would feel bad for him if he wasn't such a moron.

1) Says it's not that big of a deal

2) Makes fun of David Stern

3) Pretends to shoot his teammates

4) Questionable twitter comments

... This guy shot himself in the foot multiple times. I hope he doesn't lose his contract, but if he does he's got no one to blame but himself.

It is not a big deal, what a ridiculous league and a ridiculous country obsessed with security. I can't believe most of you guys are defending Stern.

For a country that pretends to defend liberty you're quick to judge and condemn a guy whose only fault was to make a joke. I knew Stern wanted to attract chinese viewers to the NBA but he took it a little too far, giving his best imitation of the chinese government.

If the US doesn't want him I'm sure there's a place for him here in Europe.

[Lebron23]

I would feel bad for him if he wasn't such a moron.

1) Says it's not that big of a deal

2) Makes fun of David Stern

3) Pretends to shoot his teammates

4) Questionable twitter comments

... This guy shot himself in the foot multiple times. I hope he doesn't lose his contract, but if he does he's got no one to blame but himself.


This

I like Gilbert Arenas as a player, but he's a very stupid individual.

[Alhazred]

If the US doesn't want him I'm sure there's a place for him here in Europe.

I doubt Europe is that desperate for players.

[LA_Showtime]

It is not a big deal, what a ridiculous league and a ridiculous country obsessed with security. I can't believe most of you guys are defending Stern.

For a country that pretends to defend liberty you're quick to judge and condemn a guy whose only fault was to make a joke. I knew Stern wanted to attract chinese viewers to the NBA but he took it a little too far, giving his best imitation of the chinese government.

If the US doesn't want him I'm sure there's a place for him here in Europe.

When did I defend David Stern? I don't think Gilbert Arenas should be suspended indefinitely. I have no comment on his contract being voided, but Arenas hasn't exactly helped his situation by his comments and actions.

You think guns are a laughing matter? How old are you? There are many stories going around, and when there's smoke there's usually fire. I don't know about you, but if a co-worker of mine took out a couple of guns and told me to playfully shoot him in the knee I wouldn't be laughing. I would think that guy is mentally insane.

[icemanfan]

When did I defend David Stern? I don't think Gilbert Arenas should be suspended indefinitely. I have no comment on his contract being voided, but Arenas hasn't exactly helped his situation by his comments and actions.

You think guns are a laughing matter? How old are you? There are many stories going around, and when there's smoke there's usually fire. I don't know about you, but if a co-worker of mine took out a couple of guns and told me to playfully shoot him in the knee I wouldn't be laughing. I would think that guy is mentally insane.
Damn right. Just ask the family of Jayson Williams victim how stable a man playing with guns is. The NBA has been down this road before and they do not want to go where it leads.

[icemanfan]

It is not a big deal, what a ridiculous league and a ridiculous country obsessed with security. I can't believe most of you guys are defending Stern.

For a country that pretends to defend liberty you're quick to judge and condemn a guy whose only fault was to make a joke. I knew Stern wanted to attract chinese viewers to the NBA but he took it a little too far, giving his best imitation of the chinese government.

If the US doesn't want him I'm sure there's a place for him here in Europe.
I am glad to hear you guys have no laws where your at. Over here though we have laws and all citizens are required to follow those laws. Even damn near mentally retarded stupid ass joking basketball players.

[thejumpa]

Damn right. Just ask the family of Jayson Williams victim how stable a man playing with guns is. The NBA has been down this road before and they do not want to go where it leads.

Jayson Williams had been drinking and was playing around with a loaded shotgun....two completely different situations. Not only that, but someone actually died.

[monkeypox]

Jayson Williams had been drinking and was playing around with a loaded shotgun....two completely different situations. Not only that, but someone actually died.

Yeah, but Jayson Williams was just showing someone a gun he owned in the privacy of his own home. Which isn't nearly as bad as taking guns to work and jokingly telling someone to shoot you with them. What if Gil left a bullet in the chamber of one of his guns and Javaris "jokingly" took a shot at Gil? What if Javaris actually played along and pointed the gun at Gil and a security guard shot Javaris down? What if Javaris saw Gils gun, thought he was going to get shot, and shot Gil with his own gun? These are all reasons why you don't bring a gun to work and joke around with them. Yeah different jobs have different rules. A cop can bring a gun to work, but at elementary school teacher can't. Just because a stripper can be butt naked at work doesn't mean you can too. The NBA is a place where you don't bring guns to work. Gilbert Arenas not only showed poor judgment, he followed that by showing that he didn't take any of this seriously. He got what he deserved.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Yeah, but Jayson Williams was just showing someone a gun he owned in the privacy of his own home. Which isn't nearly as bad as taking guns to work and jokingly telling someone to shoot you with them. What if Gil left a bullet in the chamber of one of his guns and Javaris "jokingly" took a shot at Gil? What if Javaris actually played along and pointed the gun at Gil and a security guard shot Javaris down? What if Javaris saw Gils gun, thought he was going to get shot, and shot Gil with his own gun? These are all reasons why you don't bring a gun to work and joke around with them. Yeah different jobs have different rules. A cop can bring a gun to work, but at elementary school teacher can't. Just because a stripper can be butt naked at work doesn't mean you can too. The NBA is a place where you don't bring guns to work. Gilbert Arenas not only showed poor judgment, he followed that by showing that he didn't take any of this seriously. He got what he deserved.
Not really defending Arenas here, he's an idiot, but you're not really accounting for the fact that Williams Killed someone. I repeat: Williams killed someone. Arenas may or may not have been joking, but the Crittenton family is not holding a funeral right now. As stupid as Arenas was, he didn't cross that line past which there is no turning back. He will be punished hard. He may lose his contract. Worst case, he does a year or two of hard time and maybe can't get back into the NBA afterward. But he is not a murderer. Williams may have been messing around himself, perhaps he had no intion of huurting anyone at the time. But he IS a murderer. Some kid lost their daddy, some woman lost her husband, etc. That is a huge difference, regardless of intention.

[monkeypox]

Not really defending Arenas here, he's an idiot, but you're not really accounting for the fact that Williams Killed someone. I repeat: Williams killed someone. Arenas may or may not have been joking, but the Crittenton family is not holding a funeral right now. As stupid as Arenas was, he didn't cross that line past which there is no turning back. He will be punished hard. He may lose his contract. Worst case, he does a year or two of hard time and maybe can't get back into the NBA afterward. But he is not a murderer. Williams may have been messing around himself, perhaps he had no intion of huurting anyone at the time. But he IS a murderer. Some kid lost their daddy, some woman lost her husband, etc. That is a huge difference, regardless of intention.

Williams committed homicide, not murder so I wouldn't call Williams a murderer since he had no intent. Besides I'm not talking about end result, I'm talking about the act that Arenas is getting punished for here. The Williams incident, which was far milder than Arenas', led to a homicide. It wasn't a big deal till something went terribly wrong. Arenas is getting punished for the potential harm that his reckless and idiotic actions could have caused and the reason why the rules were put in to place. This, like drunk driving, isn't something you apply the "no harm, no foul" rule to. If one NBA player get's in to a car accident and kills someone and another drives drunk and just hits a tree, the drunk guys action is worse even thought no one died in his accident.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Williams committed homicide, not murder so I wouldn't call Williams a murderer since he had no intent. Besides I'm not talking about end result, I'm talking about the act that Arenas is getting punished for here. The Williams incident, which was far milder than Arenas', led to a homicide. It wasn't a big deal till something went terribly wrong. Arenas is getting punished for the potential harm that his reckless and idiotic actions could have caused and the reason why the rules were put in to place. This, like drunk driving, isn't something you apply the "no harm, no foul" rule to. If one NBA player get's in to a car accident and kills someone and another drives drunk and just hits a tree, the drunk guys action is worse even thought no one died in his accident.
Your distinction is meaningless. Of course Williams' act "wasn't a big deal till something went terribly wrong." And Arenas' incident wouldn't matter to anyone on a national level if stories hadn't come out. And? Arenas never pulled a trigger, unlike Williams. Williams was punished more severely by the law because his crime was more severe, and that's pretty much all there is to it. It's not like Williams wasn't being "reckless and idiotic."

[bokes15]

not broke from gambling, but there is actually a good percentage of nba players who lose most if not all of their money after retirement. i don't remember the pct but it was a "you have to be ****ing kidding" kind of percentage. we are picking on the nba but its not just them, its all athletes.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that it's like 70+ percent who go bankrupt.

[InspiredLebowski]

Hey Wiz fans (do any exist?), TJ Ford for Mike James and Crittendon (immediately waived).

[ALBballer]

Hey Wiz fans (do any exist?), TJ Ford for Mike James and Crittendon (immediately waived).

LOL the Wizards aren't looking to add any salary. They have financial problems of their own.

[mlh1981]

(don't have time to read through this thread, so maybe this has already been addressed)

Seems to me that when major stuff like this goes down in the NBA, that league takes a MUCH harder hit than when big time controversy rocks other sports.

I hope people don't use this to judge the character of the league as a whole. This isn't the Malace in the Palace or anything like that.

It will be 3 years of limited basketball for Arenas now. Unless they can somehow void his contract, the deal he got has to go down as one of the most outrageous contracts of all time. This team will be mediocre for years as a result (that, and their other dealings)

[Nero Tulip]

When did I defend David Stern? I don't think Gilbert Arenas should be suspended indefinitely. I have no comment on his contract being voided, but Arenas hasn't exactly helped his situation by his comments and actions.

You think guns are a laughing matter? How old are you? There are many stories going around, and when there's smoke there's usually fire. I don't know about you, but if a co-worker of mine took out a couple of guns and told me to playfully shoot him in the knee I wouldn't be laughing. I would think that guy is mentally insane.

I don't care if it's a laughing matter, and I am not saying I agree with Arenas. I don't even like the guy. But even Stern admitted that he suspended him for the little joke at the end of last game. That's the shocking part for me. That someone is suspended for a joke. Even a bad one.

Icemanfan: we have laws, and far less gun problems and more security in Western Europe. But we do not have laws against jokes, thank god.

[InspiredLebowski]

LOL the Wizards aren't looking to add any salary. They have financial problems of their own.

Hey, if they're able to void his contract that obviously solves a lot of money woes and they're saving cash while he's suspended anyway. 50% of lost money by a suspended player gets deducted from the cap.

[C-Webb4]

I don't care if it's a laughing matter, and I am not saying I agree with Arenas. I don't even like the guy. But even Stern admitted that he suspended him for the little joke at the end of last game. That's the shocking part for me. That someone is suspended for a joke. Even a bad one.

Icemanfan: we have laws, and far less gun problems and more security in Western Europe. But we do not have laws against jokes, thank god.
But it's like, there's a time and a place for these "jokes." It'd be like if OJ Simpson during the time of his trial started leaving his house with gloves on... I mean, come on, it was just stupid and inappropriate for him to draw that kind of negative attention to himself when he was already under the gun (no pun intended:D)

[Alhazred]

we have laws, and far less gun problems and more security in Western Europe. But we do not have laws against jokes, thank god.

Who said he was being arrested for a joke? He brought firearms into a sporting arena in Washington, D.C., which has strict gun control. That's the only thing he'll be charged for, not for a joke. He's being suspended for that, which is completely reasonable for the NBA to do.

[Glide2keva]

Comprehension is not a strong suit for a lot of people I see.

[Real Men Wear Green]

(don't have time to read through this thread, so maybe this has already been addressed)

Seems to me that when major stuff like this goes down in the NBA, that league takes a MUCH harder hit than when big time controversy rocks other sports.

I hope people don't use this to judge the character of the league as a whole. This isn't the Malace in the Palace or anything like that.

It will be 3 years of limited basketball for Arenas now. Unless they can somehow void his contract, the deal he got has to go down as one of the most outrageous contracts of all time. This team will be mediocre for years as a result (that, and their other dealings)
Won't be nearly as bad for one simple reason: It's not on tape. The Malice incident was a live NBA broadcast.

[Nero Tulip]

But it's like, there's a time and a place for these "jokes." It'd be like if OJ Simpson during the time of his trial started leaving his house with gloves on... I mean, come on, it was just stupid and inappropriate for him to draw that kind of negative attention to himself when he was already under the gun (no pun intended:D)

You're entitled to your opinion, and I fully understand and respect it. But agree or disagree with him, he shouldn't be suspended for it.

Of course it was stupid, so what. That's not a reason to suspend him.


Who said he was being arrested for a joke?

I'm talking about the suspension.

[sbw19]

He brought firearms into a sporting arena in Washington, D.C., which has strict gun control.

Yeah, yet he's able to sneak by security and lock his weaponry in a safe deposit inside the arena, well done Agent Zero...talk about strict gun control.

Know what? I'm not saying something would've happened, but can you imagine the backlash at the lax security had a REAL gunfight broken out? He shouldn't have been able to smuggle in his guns in the first place.

Fans have every right to be outraged by all of this ya know. I wouldn't feel safe inside a sports arena into which an athlete can bring guns that easily. :no:

[niko]

You're entitled to your opinion, and I fully understand and respect it. But agree or disagree with him, he shouldn't be suspended for it.

Of course it was stupid, so what. That's not a reason to suspend him.



I'm talking about the suspension.

He violated a rule that the NBA has that calls for a suspension if he violates it. So, you are just wrong. You can't change the rules to fit your opinion of what you think is ok or not.

[Alhazred]

I'm talking about the suspension.

You posted this before.


But we do not have laws against jokes, thank god.

The suspension is perfectly reasonable. He brought weapons into his place of work and then joked about it in front of 20,000 people. I wouldn't want my employees bringing weapons into a sporting arena, either(Assuming I had any).

[Shepseskaf]

Not really defending Arenas here, he's an idiot, but you're not really accounting for the fact that Williams Killed someone. I repeat: Williams killed someone.
The point I think you're missing is that the Jayson Williams gun situation was a progression. He didn't all of a sudden one tragic evening start playing around with guns. I remember reading articles about drunken target practice sessions long before the killing. There was even a rumor that he used to kill stray dogs for fun.

In Gilbert's case, the guns were unloaded but if this "outing" hadn't happened, who knows where things would have gone from there? Would Arenas, with his warped sense of humor have regarded it as out of bounds to bring a loaded gun to the locker room one day in the future? Can anyone say with certainty that he would have? I can't.

That's why Stern had to nip this in the bud. Had the league taken action when Jayson Williams' fascination with guns started to turn bizarre and dangerous, its possible that the limo driver would still be alive today.

[Alhazred]

Yeah, yet he's able to sneak by security and lock his weaponry in a safe deposit inside the arena, well done Agent Zero...talk about strict gun control.


Sorry, I meant to say "strict gun control laws". My mistake.

[sbw19]

Sorry, I meant to say "strict gun control laws". My mistake.

Nice of you to apologize, but it's really unnecessary. I perfectly understood what you meant, I just wanted to point out to the security angle because it seemed lost in the shuffle, and found in your comment a suitable pretext.

[ShabbaWiz]

I am ashamed of Gil and his actions. Our Wizards will be the target of the NBA the rest of the year. I know Mr. Pollin must be turning over in his grave. He has strong vews on stuff like this.

[boozehound]

You're entitled to your opinion, and I fully understand and respect it. But agree or disagree with him, he shouldn't be suspended for it.

Of course it was stupid, so what. That's not a reason to suspend him.



I'm talking about the suspension.
if you think he was suspended for the joke you are dumb. It did playa role in stern deciding to suspend him before the criminal investigation was done, but he was suspended for violating a very specific nba rule (no guns at nba events). The joke just reaffirmed how lightly gilbo was taking the situation and that didnt sit well will stern.

[guy]

if you think he was suspended for the joke you are dumb. It did playa role in stern deciding to suspend him before the criminal investigation was done, but he was suspended for violating a very specific nba rule (no guns at nba events). The joke just reaffirmed how lightly gilbo was taking the situation and that didnt sit well will stern.

Exactly. I'm sure if he wasn't joking around about this stuff, he wouldn't be suspended right now. But he's a moron. I'm sure David Stern was pondering what exactly he was going to do about this situation, and then Gilbert's joking approach to it gave him a clear answer.

Another wasted athlete. Its pretty sad. This guy had so much promise and then injuries and a bad attitude f***** it all up.

Now watch his contract get voided and then the Lakers sign him next year to the MLE to be there starting PG. :rolleyes:

[thejumpa]

I love how people are waiting on this guys contract to get voided. Didn't happen before, not gonna happen now...keep wishing.

I've always wondered this, though. If you are in this much trouble, why can't you just make a call to David Stern to explain the situation? I mean, a quick phone call directly to Stern couldn't hurt anything. Any time I felt that I was in trouble at work, I felt it was better to go talk to the boss myself. If anything, it would prevent a whole lot of media/idiotic fan BS AND clear up some things. Just sayin...

[niko]

I love how people are waiting on this guys contract to get voided. Didn't happen before, not gonna happen now...keep wishing.

I've always wondered this, though. If you are in this much trouble, why can't you just make a call to David Stern to explain the situation? I mean, a quick phone call directly to Stern couldn't hurt anything. Any time I felt that I was in trouble at work, I felt it was better to go talk to the boss myself. If anything, it would prevent a whole lot of media/idiotic fan BS AND clear up some things. Just sayin...

As opposed to not calling Stern and making fun of not being suspended. Way too logical.

[icemanfan]

The point I think you're missing is that the Jayson Williams gun situation was a progression. He didn't all of a sudden one tragic evening start playing around with guns. I remember reading articles about drunken target practice sessions long before the killing. There was even a rumor that he used to kill stray dogs for fun.

In Gilbert's case, the guns were unloaded but if this "outing" hadn't happened, who knows where things would have gone from there? Would Arenas, with his warped sense of humor have regarded it as out of bounds to bring a loaded gun to the locker room one day in the future? Can anyone say with certainty that he would have? I can't.

That's why Stern had to nip this in the bud. Had the league taken action when Jayson Williams' fascination with guns started to turn bizarre and dangerous, its possible that the limo driver would still be alive today.
Yep and apparently some people have no reasoning skills. I appreciate you posting a perfect reply.

[thejumpa]

As opposed to not calling Stern and making fun of not being suspended. Way too logical.

Well, that's what I'm saying. I bet if he were to directly talk to Stern prior to that interview, things could have been different. Calling Stern "mean" wasn't even that bad...

[niko]

Well, that's what I'm saying. I bet if he were to directly talk to Stern prior to that interview, things could have been different. Calling Stern "mean" wasn't even that bad...

I also know Stern had made it clear they didn't want to do anything until the indictments came down, which was honestly fair to arenas. That arenas get twitting and then made fun of it in the pregame was terrible, you can't give the middle finger to someone and then be surprised they are mad.

[thejumpa]

I also know Stern had made it clear they didn't want to do anything until the indictments came down, which was honestly fair to arenas. That arenas get twitting and then made fun of it in the pregame was terrible, you can't give the middle finger to someone and then be surprised they are mad.

I think it was more "I'm an ignorant fool who doesn't know when to shut and up and quit goofing around" more than giving someone the middle finger. He didn't seem to be trying to be disrespectful. Someone said something like "You play too much" in another thread. People use to say that to me all the time. People like that don't know when to draw the line...and are usually young as hell:oldlol:

[niko]

I think it was more "I'm an ignorant fool who doesn't know when to shut and up and quit goofing around" more than giving someone the middle finger. He didn't seem to be trying to be disrespectful. Someone said something like "You play too much" in another thread. People use to say that to me all the time. People like that don't know when to draw the line...and are usually young as hell:oldlol:

it's funny, we were just talking about at work how we would love to be life coaches for these nba players. i could if they'd listen to me set them up for life financially (with money to play no problem) and keep them out of jail. i wouldn't even need control of any money, just simple suggestions and day to day tips like "hire a driver tonight. leave your gun at home. don't propose to that stripper". i'm sure it sounds like i'm being sarcastic but if say, antoine walker had me advising him financially he'd still be super rich.

people who lack common sense need people around with common sense. like d howard, he has mom. rasheed has his wife. (Psycho as he is, he has mad money still.) Arenas unfortunately seems to have himself.

[thejumpa]

it's funny, we were just talking about at work how we would love to be life coaches for these nba players. i could if they'd listen to me set them up for life financially (with money to play no problem) and keep them out of jail. i wouldn't even need control of any money, just simple suggestions and day to day tips like "hire a driver tonight. leave your gun at home. don't propose to that stripper". i'm sure it sounds like i'm being sarcastic but if say, antoine walker had me advising him financially he'd still be super rich.

people who lack common sense need people around with common sense. like d howard, he has mom. rasheed has his wife. (Psycho as he is, he has mad money still.) Arenas unfortunately seems to have himself.

That's how it is. Unfortunately, a lot of cats who come from nothing don't understand proper money management. You would think it would be the other way around. I really think there should be some sort of financial program or something to guide these guys through the league. Nobody cares what they do with their money...only if they produce on the court. Sadly, that 19-21 year old mindstate never changes for some throughout their WHOLE career. It is what it is.....

Still, we don't know Arenas financial status. I mean, we haven't ever heard of him blowing money or anything. Just 1 gambling debt that he won't pay. I've done the same thing in certain situations..didn't mean I wasn't going broke or had a problem, though. It meant I didn't wanna pay that mothe****er for cheating!

[niko]

That's how it is. Unfortunately, a lot of cats who come from nothing don't understand proper money management. You would think it would be the other way around. I really think there should be some sort of financial program or something to guide these guys through the league. Nobody cares what they do with their money...only if they produce on the court. Sadly, that 19-21 year old mindstate never changes for some throughout their WHOLE career. It is what it is.....

Still, we don't know Arenas financial status. I mean, we haven't ever heard of him blowing money or anything. Just 1 gambling debt that he won't pay. I've done the same thing in certain situations..didn't mean I wasn't going broke or had a problem, though. It meant I didn't wanna pay that mothe****er for cheating!

Did you ever see "A Bronx Story". This kid is working for the mobster. He sees his friend who owes him $20. He yells to him, the friend runs away. He goes to chase, the mobster grabs him. Asks "Do you have a gun, are you going to shoot him? ARe you going to sue him? What are you going to do?" Of course the kid had no plan other than running up and smacking him. So the mobster stops him because all it will do is get the kid in trouble.

Never fight to regain an immaterial amount of money. Sue? Ok. Ask for it? Sure. Get arrested for punching someone for an immaterial amount of money. You can't do things like that past the age of 15.

We've all done stupid immature things that were probably justified but at some point that needs to stop. I stopped a long time before 28. It's honestly sad. You know, we may never see the Arenas we know ever again because of a plane card game and a $1,000 bet that HE WASN'T INVOLVED IN. Arrgh...

[thejumpa]

You're right....it doesn't look like he was even involved in the actual money dispute. Judging on the news I just saw...things could get A LOT worse for everybody involved.

[Glide2keva]

There are consquences to actions such as these and I can't see how people are defending this moron.