Some bizarre news that might have snuck under your radar this holiday weekend was the reports that Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittendon pulled guns on one another in the team's locker room. A full investigation is underway and if it is found that Arenas broke any gun laws it could mean huge trouble (ie loss of contract or jail time). Many will say that this is a backwards step in improving the image of the NBA, like Brother Yohey articulates with this Quick Hit...
I'll start this out with stating that I am not a fan of the NBA. Never have, never will. I prefer college basketball. The Ron Artest episode in Detroit, Allen Iverson putting himself before his team with the practice rant, Tim Donaghy and the gambling scandal, and now Arenas are embarrassing incidents. All of these reasons make the NBA intolerable to watch for me. The NBA players are so self-centered and have that "me first" mentality (ahem, Ricky Davis) that eliminate the team aspect. With college basketball, although the great players are one and done, there is team play, the sense that the players care about the game and each other, and the thrill of March Madness when compared to the multi-month abomination called the NBA Playoffs.
"Gun-gate" as I will call it (since everything scandal wise has to have the suffix gate with it), is another black mark on the NBA's image it does not need. I realize that the truth hasn't completely surfaced in regards to guns being drawn or Arenas putting 3 guns on a chair for Crittendon to choose; but either way, Arenas and Crittendon have to face harsh punishment for their conduct. What's more disturbing is Arenas' behavior after the fact.
I'll start this out with stating that I am not a fan of the NBA. Never have, never will. I prefer college basketball. The Ron Artest episode in Detroit, Allen Iverson putting himself before his team with the practice rant, Tim Donaghy and the gambling scandal, and now Arenas are embarrassing incidents. All of these reasons make the NBA intolerable to watch for me. The NBA players are so self-centered and have that "me first" mentality (ahem, Ricky Davis) that eliminate the team aspect. With college basketball, although the great players are one and done, there is team play, the sense that the players care about the game and each other, and the thrill of March Madness when compared to the multi-month abomination called the NBA Playoffs.
"Gun-gate" as I will call it (since everything scandal wise has to have the suffix gate with it), is another black mark on the NBA's image it does not need. I realize that the truth hasn't completely surfaced in regards to guns being drawn or Arenas putting 3 guns on a chair for Crittendon to choose; but either way, Arenas and Crittendon have to face harsh punishment for their conduct. What's more disturbing is Arenas' behavior after the fact.
Agent 0 tweeted after this got out that he was the new John Wayne. Really, Gilbert? And you have "bad judgment" in bringing guns to the arena? Bad judgment would lead one to thing that at one point you assumed it would be good judgment to bring guns to the arena. Oh, and your ESPN interview where you were laughing about it, I hope you are still laughing when the hammer gets brought down on you as it should. The sheer ignorance of Arenas in this matter is intolerable and for him to still be smiling and laughing when asked about it boils my blood.
NBA and D.C. regulations prohibit weapons being brought on the premises, which shouldn't need to be spelled out to "Agent Zero" (I hate that nickname). After Plaxico Burress, doesn't Arenas realize what can happen with weapon possession? Why would you even risk being caught breaking gun laws after seeing that embarrassing episode? If he were to get charged and sentenced to any jail time, the Wizards can void his entire contract and he would be without a team or freedom for a long period of time. It's just plain stupid.
This whole scenario between Arenas and Crittendon is a synopsis of what is wrong with the NBA.
NBA and D.C. regulations prohibit weapons being brought on the premises, which shouldn't need to be spelled out to "Agent Zero" (I hate that nickname). After Plaxico Burress, doesn't Arenas realize what can happen with weapon possession? Why would you even risk being caught breaking gun laws after seeing that embarrassing episode? If he were to get charged and sentenced to any jail time, the Wizards can void his entire contract and he would be without a team or freedom for a long period of time. It's just plain stupid.
This whole scenario between Arenas and Crittendon is a synopsis of what is wrong with the NBA.
1 comment:
While I am a huge NBA fan, this Arenas idiocy will give folks like Brother Yohey another bullet point (pardon the pun) to use against the league. He's never had it all together, but his laugh-it-off mentality here is completely out of place. Let's wait and see until all the details are out, but it's the leader in the clubhouse for most bizarre story of the decade for sure.
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