Washington Wizards Thread (2009-2010)

[wpa2629]

WPA with some common sense and compassion

I'm always sad about these types of situations. This is just a life wasted. I think it sucks.

[cmdterps44]

I agree with WPA.

He made a dumb mistake. He doesn't think about these things it seems.

He did bring guns in and mishandled them. But I do not think he would've done something so vain as in shooting someone. It sucks that it is the law and it is labeling him as someone who could've done something like that. Then using it in a joke is him not thinking again. Hes an idiot when it comes to these things but hes definitely not a bad man... Just has a crappy attitude. My friend hangs out with him alot and speaks very highly of him.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Life?  His life isn't taken away.

It's kind of sad, but you know what's really sad?  When innocent people get injured with guns because others are too cavalier about the damage they can do.

[wpa2629]

Life?  His life isn't taken away.

It's kind of sad, but you know what's really sad?  When innocent people get injured with guns because others are too cavalier about the damage they can do.

 Of course, I'm not minimizing the severity of the situation at all. Arenas did this to himself, there's no question about it. He was reckless and stupid and showed appallingly poor judgment when he brought in the guns and then mocked the severity of his transgression. It's inexcusable. And it would appear, he will be punished, severely. I don't have a problem with the punishment, if that's the law, than that's the law. I just think it's sad that it's all come to this.

[The Chief]

It's not a contest.

[tomterp]

WPA, what sucks? He's a criminal, a gun offender no less. Buh-bye. He brought guns into a place where there are tons of small children. He left them lying around, unsecured, then he used them in a joke.

I wonder if they were loaded, or if he had ammunition available.  If not, then they weren't any more dangerous than a 5 lb. dumbell.

[JMW IV]

it was already said that the guns were not loaded and there was no ammo around.

gilbert isnt getting erased from nba existence because of the guns, regardless of all the moral chestthumping.

he is being erased because he treated this like a joke.

[JMW IV]

there have been players with loaded guns, who allegedly assaulted pregnant women, etc. and none of them are getting the "you dont exist" treatment.

even plaxico did not get that.

[tomterp]

it was already said that the guns were not loaded and there was no ammo around.

So we can skip the histrionics about children being endangered, then.

[wpa2629]

it was already said that the guns were not loaded and there was no ammo around.

gilbert isnt getting erased from nba existence because of the guns, regardless of all the moral chestthumping.

he is being erased because he treated this like a joke.

there have been players with loaded guns, who allegedly assaulted pregnant women, etc. and none of them are getting the "you dont exist" treatment.

even plaxico did not get that.

Yeah, it's crazy and I agree, if Arenas didn't mock Stern to his face, the whole "he doesn't exist" thing wouldn't be happening. However, there's no doubt in my mind the Wiz would still be doing everything they can to void the deal and get him out of the organization. Once Abe passed, it seemed clear to me that EGs top priority was moving Arenas. Now this whole fiasco is giving the Wiz the leverage that they need to do it.

[JMW IV]

if arenas had taken this seriously, he'd be suspended for ten games, and then traded.

not erased from history.

[wpa2629]

if arenas had taken this seriously, he'd be suspended for ten games, and then traded.

not erased from history.

I actually don't think he would have been suspended at all. I think that Stern was more than willing to wait for the legal process to play out. Now of course, if appears he may serve jail time, so that would have changed everything anyway.

[PANatsFan]

So we can skip the histrionics about children being endangered, then.

The rumor was that Crittendon locked and loaded. Still, the guns could have easily been stolen and used in a crime.

I don't think he should go to jail. I don't believe jail is the solution for most any criminal that can be rehabilitated, which Arenas can. How about community service with victims of violent crime? That would teach him to respect firearms. Rotting in a jail cell solves nothing

Anyone who owns 100's of guns is outside of the mainstream, to me. He has a problem and surely needs counseling, if a joke was more important to him than his young family.

Also, these morons who worry about getting roughed up in clubs should stay home with their kids instead of partying.

But what if he had a whole bunch of heroin instead of illegal guns. People would be all over him.

Honestly, I'm really interested in what goes down with Crittendon. I have a feeling Gilbert will sing like a bird.

[PANatsFan]

I'm always sad about these types of situations. This is just a life wasted. I think it sucks.

In five years max, he'll be home with his kids living off the millions he already made, if not playing basketball overseas.

[UMDNats]

I have no sympathy for Gilbert. He brought this upon himself and treated it like a complete joke.

[sportsfan882]

WPA with some common sense and compassion

freak that crap

[sportsfan882]

I have no sympathy for Gilbert. He brought this upon himself and treated it like a complete joke.

QFT. He used to be my favorite bball player too. Just fade into the oblivion and never be heard from again, Gilbert.

[cmdterps44]

QFT. He used to be my favorite bball player too. Just fade into the oblivion and never be heard from again, Gilbert.

Which sucks. 3-4 years ago he was the freaking man. Now hes just some annoying, obnoxious guy taking up headline space, contract money and roster space.

[wpa2629]

In five years max, he'll be home with his kids living off the millions he already made, if not playing basketball overseas.

Five years in jail? And just like that he goes home and carries on with his life?  I find that impossible to believe.


He was an NBA star, a franchise player. Now he's Persona Non Grata, a felon facing serious jail time.  He's ruined his life.


I just think the whole situation sucks.

[The Chief]

freak that crap

Ah, the humanitarian speaks

[JMW IV]

if this were Zimmerman, Flores, or Desmond, sportsfan would have a million excuses.

[tomterp]

The rumor was that Crittendon locked and loaded. Still, the guns could have easily been stolen and used in a crime.

I don't think he should go to jail. I don't believe jail is the solution for most any criminal that can be rehabilitated, which Arenas can. How about community service with victims of violent crime? That would teach him to respect firearms. Rotting in a jail cell solves nothing

Anyone who owns 100's of guns is outside of the mainstream, to me. He has a problem and surely needs counseling, if a joke was more important to him than his young family.

Also, these morons who worry about getting roughed up in clubs should stay home with their kids instead of partying.

But what if he had a whole bunch of heroin instead of illegal guns. People would be all over him.

Honestly, I'm really interested in what goes down with Crittendon. I have a feeling Gilbert will sing like a bird.

I'm pretty much in agreement.  I will say however, that being outside of the mainstream is no crime, and owning lots of guns is not inherently evil.  I have one (Franchi 20g ultralight spring action shotgun, circa 1950), and from time to time have thought of having more, but it's not a BIG deal to me.  The mere fact that a gun is "illegal" doesn't set me off too much either.  So is going 56 in a 55.  And sometimes, the laws that make guns illegal, are themselves found to be illegal, as DC found out recently.  Still, I pretty much agree with the rest of your comments, and if Crittendon did what he is rumored to have done, that's pretty serious.

[blue911]

Tom, DC's gun law weren't illegal they were unconstitutional.

[tomterp]

Tom, DC's gun law weren't illegal they were unconstitutional.

Isn't that the highest form of illegality?

[blue911]

Isn't that the highest form of illegality?

No, not at all, only the hardest to change. If you were convicted under DC's old gun law, you're still a convicted felon.