Gilbert Arenas: Where Probably Losing A Hundred Million Dollars Happens

Matt on 01 8, 2010

This Gilbert Arenas situation has taken some weird twists and turns.  So let’s look at a quick recap of it:

December 19, 2009: Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton get into an argument on the team plane over an apparent gambling dept.  Crittenton says, “You keep playing around and I will shoot you in your good knee.”
December 21, 2009: The disagreement from the team plane carries over to Wizards practice.  Arenas takes four unloaded guns out of his lock box in the Wizards locker room and places them on a chair next to Crittenton’s locker with a note that said, “Choose one.”
December 24, 2009: CBSSports.com reports that the NBA is investigating Arenas for gun possession.  The Wizards issue a statement saying that Arenas stored three unloaded firearms in his locked box inside the Wizards locker room:  “The Washington Wizards have learned that Gilbert Arenas stored firearms in a locked container in his locker, unloaded and without ammunition,” the Wizards’ statement read. “The Wizards organization and Arenas promptly notified the local authorities and the NBA and are cooperating fully with law enforcement during its review of this matter and will have no further comment at this time.”
December 28, 2009: In a game, Arenas celebrated a three pointer by “putting the guns away.”

January 1, 2010: The New York Post releases a report claiming that Gilbert Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other in the locker room following a dispute over a gambling debt.
Comcast SportsNet’s Chris Miller immediately refutes that report saying that Arenas did not point a gun at Crittenton and that Crittenton himself did not have a weapon.
January 2, 2010: The Pollin family releases statement on Arenas Gun Incident:  “The fact that guns were brought to the Verizon Center is dangerous and disappointing and showed extremely poor judgment.  Guns have absolutely no place in a workplace environment and we will take further steps to ensure this never happens again.”
January 3, 2010: A Yahoo sports report is released claiming Arenas has been a disruptive presence in the Wizards locker room all season.  Wizards head coach Flip Saunders dismisses the published report, saying ‘that’s totally untrue.’

January 4, 2010: Arenas has a meeting with the District Attorney in Washington, D.C. and issues a statement on the gun incident:  “I am very sorry for the effect that my serious lapse in judgment has had on my team, my teammates, the National Basketball Association and its fans.  I want to apologize to everybody for letting them down with my conduct, and I promise to do better in the future.”
January 6, 2010: David Stern suspends Gilbert Arenas indefinitely, without pay.  ”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.”
Wizards Statement On Arenas:  “We fully endorse the decision of the NBA to indefinitely suspend Gilbert Arenas.  Strictly legal issues aside, Gilbert’s recent behavior and statements, including his actions and statements last night in Philadelphia, are unacceptable.”
Arenas’ Statement:  “While I never intended any harm or disrespect to the NBA or anyone else, my gun possession at the Verizon Center and my attempts at humor showed terrible judgment.  I take full responsibility for my conduct.”

Ah!  Fun!  We all know the Wizards are going to try very hard to void Arenas’ massive $111 million contract, because it would give them tons of flexibility going into the future without it.  Arenas contract was a huge mistake, the 2nd one for the franchise in about 15 years, Juwan Howard’s being the other.  There’s no way this idiot ever plays another minute for the Wiz.  He’ll either be behind bars for owning unlicensed guns (just ask Plaxico Burress) or playing for another squad, for a lot less money.  I hope the gag was worth it, Gilbert!

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