Gilbert Arenas, a standout shooting guard for the Washington Wizards (a franchise that used to be the Bullets before the late former owner Abe Pollin changed the nickname to do away with the violent imagery) of the National Basketball Association is … trippin’ … as they say in the ‘hood. OK, now first things first, let’s get some of the particulars involving Arenas in an ugly case that features guns in an NBA locker room. It seems Gilbert, according to some published reports, drew a gun on a teammate in an incident that has drawn all kinds of national attention and inflicted yet another bruise on NBA Commissioner David Stern’s prized product. Arenas, has contended that he and the gun were all part of a “misguided effort to play a joke.” Commissioner Stern has, in turn, suspended Arenas indefinitely.
On the ESPN program Pardon the Interruption (PTI), hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon discussed the topic and showed a photo of Arenas at an NBA game pretend shooting with his fingers. If nothing else, the image of Arenas making that kind of gesture proves (almost definitively) that he simply doesn’t understand the serious nature of his actions.
Commissioner Stern, however, does understand the seriousness. And, that seriousness is reflected in a statement he released:
The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action.
Wizards personnel continue to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities, some are scheduled for appearance before the grand jury and the investigation is proceeding with the intensity that one would expect for such a serious incident.
Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA.
This is one time I totally agree with commissioner and do not think he is being overly harsh.
It seems Gilbert Arenas doesn’t get it if that photo is any indication. THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!
It’s not about Rev. Al Sharpton, it’s not about David Stern and it’s not about the fans. It’s about Gilbert Arenas taking things more seriously. Not everything is a joke … even when you’re rich and famous. It can all disappear and it can disappear fast.
From a legal standpoint, Arenas has some serious charges in front of them that honestly are no joking matter.
Gilbert needs understand the influence he has on people (especially young people). He needs to follow the words in the title of Jermaine Jackson’s hit song, “Lets Get Serious!”
Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/06/gilbert-arenas-suspended_n_413659.html
