Gilbert Arenas pleads guilty to felony gun possession charge, scheduled to be sentence March 26
by Mike Prada on Jan 15, 2010 3:23 PM EST
in Agent Zeroisms
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PrintGilbert Arenas just pled guilty to one felony charge for gun possession, and prosecutors are recommending no more than six months in jail, according to the Washington Post.
The sentencing will occur on March 26. There's several more interesting stuff in that article, and there's more on Dan Steinberg's Twitter account. Also, check out SB Nation's storystream.
Here's Arenas' lawyer's statement:
"Earlier this afternoon, Gilbert Arenas appeared before the Honorable Robert E. Morin of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and pled guilty to a charge of carrying a pistol in the District of Columbia without a license. He accepted full responsibility for his actions, acknowledged that those actions were wrong and against the law, and has apologized to all who have been affected by his conduct. Mr. Arenas appreciates the professionalism of the authorities handling this matter."
My first thought is that this pretty much eliminates any chance at Arenas coming back this season. Otherwise, I'm still gathering my thoughts. This will keep updating throughout the day.
UPDATE: Every little detail you need to know at this point is in this SB Nation stream update. Check it out for everything you need.
UPDATE: Here's a picture of the type of gun Gilbert Arenas brought to the Verizon Center.
Kavanaugh said the disagreement developed during a team flight back from Phoenix. The other player offered to settle matters with a fist fight, but Arenas, 28, said he was too old for that and suggested he would instead burn the other player's car or shoot him in the face. The argument on the plane ended with the other player saying he would shoot Arenas in his surgically repaired knee.
Two days later, Kavanaugh said, Arenas brought at least one gun to the Verizon Center in a black backpack. He laid out four guns on a chair in front of the other player's locker with a sign saying, "Pick one."
When the other player asked, "What is this?," Arenas responded: "You said you were going to shoot me. Pick one."
The other player said he had his own gun, threw one of Arenas's weapons across the room and then displayed his own firearm, Kavanaugh said.
UPDATE: Here's a copy of the plea agreement document, via Fanhouse.
UPDATE: The Wizards just released what I think is a very, very telling statement. Emphasis mine.
"Gilbert Arenas has been a cornerstone of the Washington Wizards for six years. We are deeply saddened and disappointed in his actions that have led to the events of this afternoon. Gilbert used extremely poor judgment and is ultimately responsible for his own actions."
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That makes two of us
Although it sounds like Grunfeld will operate under the notion that Arenas will be a Wizard no more.
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Jan 15, 2010 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
I think the Post story
said the Judge wanted sentencing next week but Gil’s lawyer would be unavailable leading to the March date
Nah, the lawyer wanted it earlier and the judge said no
Then, the judge scheduled the prior week, and the lawyer said he wasn’t available until the week after.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Ernie needs to start making personnel changes now
He has enough information to determine what direction the team should go in.
I know this has been reported before
but does Steinbergs twitter confirm that the whole “Brought the guns to keep away from my children” story was BS? I know Kornheiser has been saying that is an open secret that he brought them in that day to mess with Critt. Personally I don’t care either way but to some people the whole “I had my third kid” thing was a big feather in his cap.
I figured it was BS the moment he said it
But what else is he supposed to say?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
agreed me and my pops were doubting that story from minute 1
and it doesn’t change anything for me but some people and writers really hung onto that obviously contrived storyline like a lifeline. Whether he brought them in to mess with Critt or to get them away from his kids it is still the same action.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
Not making excuses for Gil
what he did was wrong, illegal, and ultimately led to this.
having said that, the Wizards mngt (specifically Grunfeld), chose to bring this to the attention of the police, instead of keeping it inside the team walls.
if the wiz were winning, the outcome would have been different. and i very much believe that the team’s and NBA’s actions post the incident seriously prejudiced the case. in the kobe case, his team and the NBA let him play while he was charged with a much more serious crime. he played on the same days that he was in court.
the NBA is like any business. if the star sales rainmaker for a fortune 100 company committed a similar crime within their workplace, there is a good chance the CEO would bury it if possible. now, if that same employee had a big deferred commission pending from deals closed in prior years and the employee was no longer performing, the CEO would do exactly what the Wizards mngt did.
i have been a Bullets/Wizards fan for 37 years. I will not watch them anymore. I will support whatever team Gil ends up on.
so Grunfeld should break NBA policy and the Law covering up?
Are you serious? When it came down to it Gilbert snitched Critt but you kill Grunfeld for doing what he had too? You are making excuses for Gil. Gil pulls the pin on a grenade and drops it and everybody is at fault for not falling on it for him?
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
none of us know who snitched on who
all we know is that the case was brought to authorities by wizards mngt.
this type of stuff happens all the time within business’, especially sports franchises. it is almost exclusively kept with the organization. period.
as an example, back a few years ago when michael westbrook beat down steven davis on the football field. that was even caught on tape. that was felonious assault by any state’s definition.
no charges were brought…the team would allow no team officials to be interviewed, and it died with the team.
Not to mention
that there were MULTIPLE witnesses including non-players.
This story was coming out no matter what.
by MR on Jan 15, 2010 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
This I agree with
Even if Ernie tries to handle it in-house, it wasn’t going to happen.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
ok - a separate question
will u at least agree that the NBA and Wiz mngt actions post incident likely prejudiced Arenas and forced the prosecutors hand?
Nah, can't go there either
I’ll have a longer post up this weekend about how the Wizards erred, but let’s be clear, they didn’t err in the stage you think they should have covered up.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
so the maybe the lesson for everyone is
keep your mouth shut.
apparently there were many different accounts of what happened in the locker room.
if gil had just kept his mouth shut and never owned up to the crime, he likely wouldn’t have been charged.
the lesson is
don’t be a stupid ghetto thug if you want to keep your money honey!
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
no
they had no effect. Gilbert might very well get treated better than the average citizen in this. DC guns laws are no joke and the prosecuters needed no prompting to go after him.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 4:08 PM EST up reply actions
i love the enron defense
they should have covered it up!
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Gilbert told the Grand Jury Critt had a gun thats a fact
An action I have no problem with. But when Ernie does what he is supposed to do he is some sort of villian? How are they different. When faced with putting their livelihood on the lines they told the truth rather than take the fall for someone else.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
I was speaking to Ari
apologies for not making that clearer
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
i have been a Bullets/Wizards fan for 37 years. I will not watch them anymore. I will support whatever team Gil ends up on.
dont let the door hit you on the way out.
so lets play a little game of what if… what if EG didnt alert authorities… what if the altercation didnt stop there… what if Gil/JC get in a full scale wild west gunfight the next day in the VerizonCenter… what if that fat guy who dresses up like a superhero at games got hit with a stray bullet (ok that might not be all that bad)…
VOID!!!
Damn arijordan probably hit that right on the head… wow, wells aid, really the best thing i have read in awhile, very true. By the way I am doing the same, I am following an Arenas team. Why should I stay with this franchise? To watch Boykins and Dominic McGuire, give me a break! No more of this terrible organization.
Has nothing to do with Gil, has everything to do with how terrible this franchise is. EG, managment, everything as a whole, as a consumer, a client, a customer, a fan I have the choice, and right. Just because I am from DC it doesnt mean I have to hate sports because my franchise does not know how to conduct themselves or put together a team. I am moving on, my wizards memorobilia is in the trash, my wizard jumpsuit is in the trash, and I am ready to move on. I am a grown man and ultimately there is no reason in investing my stock (time) into a company thats burning in flames and offers me nothing but disappointments.
you've been saying this for weeks
when do you act?
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Personally I’ll miss your mentioning of how much you hate Boykins at every opportunity and your repetition of your opinion over and over without adding anything new to the discourse.
by MR on Jan 15, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
Hypocrisy check...
ultimately there is no reason in investing my stock (time) into a company thats burning in flames and offers me nothing but disappointments.
if your wizards jumpsuit is in the trash where is your redskins sweatshirt??
VOID!!!
So, if gil gets between 1-6 months jail time
The contract will be voided, no problem, correct? Convicted Felon, 6 months jail…fired. Game over, right?
It is sad that i am cheering for him to go to jail, but I want whats best for the team and that is not having gil or his contract.
Trade Caron, Stevenson and James for Tmac. Leaves our cap at $20m, not including Foye’s qualifying offer.
Cap is project at $50m - $55m
that would leave the Wiz $30-$35M minus a draft pick. But the would have their MLE. Or they just trade Jamison also and have $7M on the books. Start a whole new team
You don't get your MLE when you're under the cap
It’s an exception.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I know someone mentioned minimum salary before.
Is there a figure? If we cut our salary as low as mentioned, wouldn’t we end up over paying for someone to get to the minimum. Because no cream of the crop FA is signing here, at least not this summer.
There is a minimum salary threshold, yes
I forget exactly what it is, but I believe it’s in the 35 million range.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I assumed that after signing people
we would not longer be under the cap
Yeah, but if you start under the cap, you don't get an MLE all summer
You can’t sign people up to the cap figure, then get your MLE back.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
lame
that sucks. Wow, that really does hurt our ability to build the team.
Question, if we went into free agency and signed players up to the salary cap, could you then resign your own free agents Haywood, Miller, etc? I remember something about tendering them a contract, can you explain how that would work?
You would have to think so. I would love to hear someone explain to me how 12 unexcused game absences would not put someone in default of their contract. Even if he is only sentenced 1 week in jail he would miss 4 games and I would say the same.
If this (felony charge, missing games) doesnt void a charge what does?? Who decides what is a voidable felony and what isnt??
Everyone talks about how the players association is going to fight soo hard against the Wiz voiding this contract… you dont think there is going to be an equal push from other owners that the wiz MUST void this contract??
VOID!!!
Owners can't be co-defendants in a grievance
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Where the owners will get revenge is at the CBA negotiating table
and players who DON’T bring guns will suffer.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
i dont really follow you but I never meant to imply anything about co-defendants. I was referring to other owners reaching out to Ted Leonsis (or whomever) and pleading that if he doesnt do anything about Gil the next time one of their players gets convicted of a felony Leonsis’ non-action could be seen as a precedent (I am so tired of that word today and honestly dont think its the right word but cant think of anything else).
VOID!!!
I'm saying that owner backlash won't matter nearly as much as NBPA backlash because the NBPA is directly involved in any grievance
Whereas the owners are just a public entity.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
If you are Ted Leonsis and you are finally taking control of a team you have been dying for would you want your first action as owner be one that would piss off the other 29?? While it might not have any relevance to this specific case I am sure a hand full of those guys could make his life real difficult if they wanted to.
VOID!!!
i think it's low
to talk about this right now. i think it’s deserved, but i still feel badly for gil and the organization at the moment.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
ok then for all the folks on this board with moral authority
please answer this question:
if it was kobe, would the lakers/NBA cover up?
if it was lebron, would the cavs/NBA cover up?
i think in both cases, they would have gone to NBA security, and NBA security would have dealt with it without involving the police.
If they did the story would be out and the organization and the player would be in worse trouble
I have a question for you? Would you be pulling for a cover up if it was Stevenson?
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
also why should other people risk their jobs to protect somebody else from the consequences of their actions?
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Ernie did the right thing-
Gilbert committed a crime. I don’t get why some people think there is no blame for him. He is a grown man. I’m sure things like this get covered up all of the time but like Bay Area says – the story gets out, the shit hits the fan. Also with multiple people aware of this – it will get out eventually, possibly by accident but it will get out. What I am not a fan of is the reactions of the Wiz and Stern but what’s done is done. Does this mean I am done with Gil – not at all. I want to see him play wherever he ends up. I am not perfect, I’ve made plenty of mistakes (not exactly on this level) and I have learned from them and grown. Maybe this is rock bottom for Gil and he can be inspired to change things for himself because ultimately it is his responsibility and no one else can change him unless he wants to change for himself.
To answer your questions:
The Lakers/NBA did not try to cover up Kobe’s rape trial (and if they did, they did a lousy job).
We have no idea if the Cavs would cover up anything LeBron would do because he really hasn’t been accused of any controversy (aside from the Hummer thing before his first contract).
The Wizards covered for Arenas when he was fighting with his girlfriend a few years ago; she was threatening to subpoena him on the court so they but him on IR.
I don’t know if there is an “NBA Security” as much as “local security hired by the NBA.”
to the people arguing the other side on this
please understand what a lot of us are so mad about.
its not so much the wiz mngt took this to the cops.
its that we believe that they did it selectively and have acted as an extremely interested party in gilberts prosecution due to his contract/performance. we believe that if his performance/the teams record was better/gil had a more palatable contract, they would have acted differently.
thats why we are so pissed
If it were Kobe or Lebron
it would not have been the same issue because
A) they wouldn’t be bringing guns state to state
B) they wouldn’t be bringing guns into such a strict gun law region
by MR on Jan 15, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
avoiding the question
lets say that they were visiting family in maryland, borrowed a gun, and they brought this gun to verizon center on game day as an away player
I understand that I'm not answering the original question
but I’m making the point that the hammer has come down harder on Arenas because of the legal aspects of the case.
by MR on Jan 15, 2010 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
i am not referring to the legal aspect
again, its the EXACT SAME CASE in DC – same laws apply.
what would those team’s mngt do?
you cant compare because none of those players live here in the DC area where the gunlaws are 1) very very strict 2) very very well known (to locals). end of discussion.
VOID!!!
arijordan-
Sorry, I’m not really interested in that game. I think it’s kind of irrelevant speculation.
by MR on Jan 15, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
seriously
we would never know so any speculations is just talking out of your ass
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
and we get annoyed on the other side
because not for one second do you appear to be upset with gil in this matter.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
thats ridiculous
of course i am mad at gil – he made a bad choice.
it will cost him for the rest of his life. he is now a convicted felon. he is probably going to jail for a few months. he will lose ungodly sums of $ ($50M or so if his contract get voided).
but the hypocrisy of Grunfeld et al (building up Gil and embracing his persona to make $), then opportunistically turning on him when his job is on the line….hard to stomach.
that's fair
based on the assumption they are strictly being opportunistic.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
but
the fact that you are suggesting the org should have covered this up, doesn’t make you look good here. it makes me think you’d defend gil to the end pretty much no matter what.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
not the case at all
but his punishment is very harsh.
and grunfeld needs to be called out onto the mat to account for his mismngt
please explain his mismanagement… if I missed it during any of your other nonsensical rambling posts just feel free to link me rather typing up again.
If we wanted to say EG mismanaged this situation I think we can all agree that his biggest mistake, probably the biggest mistake of his career was resigning Gilbert.
VOID!!!
thats my point
where is the accountability for that decision. he is now using this opportunistically to fix that – which is BS.
Dont see how the 2 are connected… so Ernie shouldnt be able to void Gil’s contract because he regretted giving it to him in the 1st place?? Or are you saying that any and all GMs that sign players to bad deals should be brought into the middle of town square and flogged??
VOID!!!
i think my point is pretty clear
Grunfeld is all too happily using this situation to try to fix the cap space situation he put the team in by issuing the contract to Gil.
At the same time, he is willing to do this while adding serious prejudice to Gil’s legal case. That is very low.
How is he adding prejudice?
you throw that out there like it’s fact.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
Haha
Wouldn’t that be hilarious. That would be funny if there were guys like that commenting here anonymously.
My swag was phenomenal.
Maybe I'm Gil?
That’s all I do is defend him.
And plus I predicted his comeback a year or so ago on that one random game… wish I could find Pradamaster’s post about it… me and some other guy got credit for predicting it. :) I coulda sworn it was near April Fools’ Day.
Only Gilbert knew when he’d be coming back.
My swag was phenomenal.
A-Ha - should known it was cuppettcj
No I just employ logic
and don’t consider everyone’s mission in life is to protect Gilbert from the consequences of his actions.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Your hypocrisy is ridiculous ari
Why aren’t you flaming Gilbert for testifying against Critt?
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
Are you aslo assuming that they'd react to the charge the same way Gilbert did?
That’s a big part of this puzzle.
Gilbert made as much if not more money off his persona
he’s not a sad clown just a spoiled child who wants to have everything both ways.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
so much for Gil being able to get a career in Europe
the EU likely wont allow an American citizen convicted of a felony to get a work permit
Forget Boykins, that’s irrelevant right now. As for me acting, I have acted. I just told you I threw away all my Wizards memorabilia. And I said something new that is if this management/franchise doesn’t do anything to entertain or do anything good for the fans and I will not pay attention to it. i.e. Why invest stock in a corporation going under, because the company is local? (albeit, our local team).
I watched the Jazz beat the Cavs yesterday with my girlfriend. Had a glass of wine or two and thoroughly enjoyed it! I have not watched the Wizards last loss and I don’t intend on watching them for the rest of the season. It is like leaving that gf that treated you badly. Once she’s gone you really never look back. I enjoyed the legacy they had, when the big 3 was strong, Arenas was nailing the buzzer beaters, and we were competing, but as of late there is nothing good from this franchise. They trade good players, suffer from consistent injuries, and worry more about their image and marketing more than protecting their players and competing. For me its time to move on. I am watching the Magic, Celtics, Lakers and other teams play and I am really FINALLY enjoying the NBA. You guys can continue to support the Wizards and that is great. But as for me, I am not going to sit here contemplating what trades will equal a good Wizard team 1-4 years from now, then when the players come watch them get injured, watch the coach get fired, and watch the process start all over again. I am going to enjoy the season in the present. I hope no one takes what I am saying out of context. It’s cool if you enjoy watching what’s left of this team who is not competing, putting up some embarrassing losses, playing without a healthy Arenas, all with the knowledge that the team will be blown up soon. I ask do you guys really receive satisfaction in watching this team anymore? I mean I receive nothing from investing 2 hours of watching time in this team anymore. I will continue to post on this site and try to offer words of encouragement for this team but at this time, this is how I feel, and it’s my own opinion. I hope things turn around but as of now I just don’t think EG investing his time and money into removing Arenas’ pictures, posters, and videos is helping this organization. Our roster management, mixed with the injury bug, and inconsistencies just make me wonder if blowing up this team will even do it justice within the next two-three years. We will have to wait and see.
I personally think if you’re not watching games and not following the team you should not be posting here. Unless it’s to ask us what’s going on.
by MR on Jan 15, 2010 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
I'm pissed at the Wizards too, but...
My emotional investment was not completely in Arenas, but in the team. He was out of the picture for 2 years, and I was very excited about his comeback. In fact, I was very impressed with it. I wish he was still on the team, but the Wizards screwed any possibility of that happening. I think D.C. gun laws are ridiculous and completely unrepresentative of the rest of the states in the nation. But D.C. ignores the constitution all the time. Despite all that, it is a law, and when you’re a resident of the VA/MD/DC area, you need to understand the laws in all three. It sucks, and “crossing state borders” is more like a 5 minute drive, so it doesn’t seem like you’re entering a separate state/district with separate laws. It’s a law, albeit a stupid one, and Arenas broke it.
The breaking of NBA rules is another thing. He clearly knew it was a violation, but didn’t realize the ramifications of it. He should be suspended. But what he did was not worse than Stephen Jackson. The punishment should fit the crime.
I will also follow Arenas wherever he goes. I see a more motivated Arenas coming back to prove the Wizards they were wrong for turning their back on one of their own. I agree that it was classless. More classless than Arenas’ idiotic violation. I will cheer him on.
However, I can’t just let go of my Bullets that quickly. Still want them to succeed.
My swag was phenomenal.
Just because they're law is stricter than other states doesn't mean it isn't a good law
Mention the constitution all you want but “All men are created equal” didn’t apply to people of color 60 years ago. For all we know the DC handgun laws will be the norm 50 years from now. And what’s wrong with insisting that if you want to have a handgun in DC you have to prove that you are entitled to have one?
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
yes of course
but the point is gil wont get a european work permit
Gee, he won't. And yet you seem to think he's been horribly wronged in this situation.
How do you keep the cognitive dissonance from giving you headaches?
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
I think being a season ticket holder for the past 4 years and supporting a team through injuries and drama and all the disappointing losses is more than a merit to post here. Ive paid my dues. And as I said I will continue to support THE TEAM but not the management
Guys
Stop it please. This is not the place to discuss whether people need “credentials” to post here or whether they don’t understand why people keep posting about the team when they feel the team has let them down.
I’m deleting any more comments about this. Let’s all get along and talk about Gilbert, not about each other.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jan 15, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
recc'd
even though I kinda started it.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
You weren't kidding
Coulda sworn I saw another unxpekted comment pop up, and it disappeared before my very eyes.
This will help us stay on topic. :)
My swag was phenomenal.
Let's talk about Crittenton, too
“Suggested” a fistfight with teammate, threatened to shoot teammate’s surgically-reconstructed knee, responds to bizarre gun ‘choice’ offer by trotting out his own (“little shiny”) pistol….
Has Javaris not been suspended because police didn’t find his gun at his house the other day, or because he doesn’t do elaborate pre-game pistol-fingers routines to goad Stern, or what?
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
Arenas brought at least one gun to the Verizon Center in a black backpack
He laid out four guns on a chair
Captain Obvious reporting… so this kills Gilbert’s story about how he moved the guns for safe keeping. It also makes me wonder why he was storing guns at the VC, how long he was keeping guns at the VC, who else knew he was keeping guns at the VC??
VOID!!!
Yeah Kornheiser and others have been reporting for awhile everyone knows that story was BS
But certain reporters will keep repeating it so they can be the conduit for Arenas and get scoops.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
I think part of my difficultiy with all of this is the inequity of it all
I believe that Arenas did a really stupid thing. He broke a law. He broke the NBA rules. Fine…….. punish him. Suspend him for the rest of the year. Fine him $100K . Make him do community service.
The punishment not fitting the crime…… In Virginia, Arenas would have maybe gotten a misdemeanor (depending on whether those guns were “concealed”, or not.. It is not against the law in Virginia to openly carry a gun or guns; but you must have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. )…. In Texas, he would have received a medal. In the District, it’s a Felony. And in the NBA, it’s apparently enough to get you banished forever, never again to be heard from – with ALL references to your existence wiped clean.
Now, he faces an indefinite suspension from his job, AND the possibility of 6-months in Jail, AND a hefty fine, AND the loss of $80 Million dollars.
As much as everyone here keeps saying it’s his own fault…. I’d ask this question… If you brought an unloaded gun to work, would you expect to lose your job, AND go to Jail, AND get a hefty fine, AND then have someone take away $80 MILLION DOLLARS? Is Arenas THAT dangerous that he should be locked up for a substantial jail term? Is he such a danger to society that his likeness should be stricken from view – lest he damage and corrupt our youth?
I’d expect be reprimanded at my job… perhaps serve a long suspension … perhaps have to pay a fine… maybe serve a week or two ….. but then have $80 MILLION DOLLARS taken away from me? Crap, that’s just wrong.
Now before the torrent of “he deserves what he gets”, …….. and “He brought it on himself”…..
Did Stephen Jackson deserve what he got? Artest? How about all the wife beaters, and drunk drivers in the League? Did they get what they deserved?
Fair is fair -
It just seems like the punishment is WAY harsh…. considering the crime.. I mean, dope dealers, drunk hit-and-run drivers and mass-murderers have gotten away with less punishment. – At least they didn’t have to give up $80 Million dollars.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jan 15, 2010 5:35 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
“As much as everyone here keeps saying it’s his own fault…. I’d ask this question… If you brought an unloaded gun to work, would you expect to lose your job, AND go to Jail, AND get a hefty fine, AND then have someone take away $80 MILLION DOLLARS?”
My answer is yes. I would expect that to happen. I signed something at my job(just like Arenas) that says I can’t bring guns in. Gilbert agreed to abide by that restriction, no one made him. If I did that I would expect to be fired. Shit I could be fired for being on the internet right now. If I did I certainly wouldn’t bitch about it when I knew what I did was wrong. As for Stephen Jackson or anyone else I don’t care. I’m not a lemning who wants to just keep on doing the same thing over again despite it being wrong. If they didn’t get punished enough than they shouldn’t be forced to repeat that mistake. Also to complain that life isn’t fair is kinda sad at this point. Who doesn’t know that? Name any transgression and someone has been punished worse or punished lighter. Also comparing it to other stuff is a BS debate tactic. Shameful really. When talking about segregation I don’t say “Well slavery was way worse so whats the big deal?” When learning about the Spanish Inquisition I don’t try and mitigate it by holding it up to the Holocaust.
Unless Gil has his contract voided he gets off lighter than most corporate employees would have. And lets not forget Gilbert is a highly compensated corporate employee. Commit a felony and break serious workplace policies and you only get sent home without pay for 3/4 of a year and then allowed to resume his career right where he left off at the same pay? I should be so lucky if I were that stupid and irresponsible.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 5:50 PM EST up reply actions
the players union will definitely argue your side of it
but i’m at a loss as to why they have such a slam dunk case against any attempted void of contract.
if i was lucky enough to sign a contract for $100 million i think i’d watch what i did and expect consequences if i violated the terms of that contract. in terms of losing $80 million, it’s not like he has to pay that back out of pocket, and he’s already made over $100 million in his career, and even if they void the contract he’ll probably still make at least another $30 million, so i don’t feel that bad for the dude. also, if i’m on the hook for paying another $80 million to a guy who just got himself potentially locked up for a felony, i wouldn’t be particularly happy about it. i’ve already paid him $30 million to sit out for two years then get locked up/suspended for the bulk of another year. doesn’t seem all that one-sided to me.
ken berger said the wizards shouldn’t profit from this. from what? nobody wins here.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 5:53 PM EST up reply actions
so i don’t feel that bad for the dude
at least not on the money front
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you, Rook
I would have no problem with all of this happening to Gilbert if he had done something malicious or had hurt someone, or had started a chain reaction of events that hurt someone. But he didn’t. The penalty should fit the crime. He’s being penalized on so many fronts for an action that, while illegal and wrong, didn’t hurt anyone.
One thing that I don’t think we have talked about yet is that Wizards players are somewhat unique in the NBA in that many of them cross state lines to go to their home court. (Some Nets players have this situation, too.) That may have played a role in tripping Gilbert up on the laws pertaining to guns.
dunno
if i yell fire in a crowded theatre and no one gets trampled, the fact that no one gets trampled shouldn’t necessarily change the penalty imposed on me. i should just be grateful that i don’t have to live with the shame of having hurt someone during a stupid prank.
whether the penalty fits what he did or not, yeah argue that. but that crittendon didn’t actually shoot him, or that none of the guns went off, don’t see how that makes much difference.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, come on
If you go to the movies tonight and yell, “Fire,” and no one moves, do you really believe that you will get arrested and serve the same amount of time as if everyone panicked and 100 people were trampled to death? Please. There is universally a difference between penalties based on the outcome. If you point a gun at someone and you’re a good shot, you get tried for murder. If you’re not a good shot, it’s attempted murder, with a lesser penalty. If you drive drunk, your crime is driving while intoxicated. If you drive drunk and kill someone, it’s manslaughter.
I'm not sure where the distinction of "he didn't hurt anybody"
plays into it. On the legal side he was charged with bringing the gun in. Not shooting someone. He got the same charge anyone got. For the NBA it clearly states you are subject to fine and suspension for brining a gun in REGARDLESS of whether he harmed anyone with it. It’s not like he got charged with a greater crime than what he did and it’s not like he got suspended for hurting anyone. Not sure where the “he didn’t hurt anybody” argument has anything to do with it.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
The point was
does the punishment — jail, fine, suspension, lost salary, and voiding of an $80 million contract — fit the crime of possessing a gun where it was not malicious and no one got hurt. Are you saying that if the guy was loaded and it accidently went off, killing Crittendon, that the punishment should be the same?
you're right
about attempted murder versus murder and dui versus manslaughter. good point. i lose that argument.
but it still bothers me that gil was provoking crittendon. he wasn’t just possessing weapons, let’s not reduce it down to that.
and i agree, it’s still about whether the punishment fits the crime.
if the gun went off… maybe the jail sentencing would be different, but in terms of the team rules and the contract, from my perspective what he did was enough. he crossed the line and whether he went 1 step or 10 steps further than that line, i can see how some in the wiz don’t give a crap.
and it’s more like he yelled fire in a theatre and everybody ran but nobody got hurt, not that nobody did nothing.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
well the legal aspect yes assuredly
That is the law so the punishment fits the crime. He is being punished for possesing the gun. Your jumping the gun with the voiding. From the league we don’t know the exact punishment so you can’t really make any definitive statement. Fine, Suspension, lost salary, and even voiding the contract are potential penalties for committing a felony and bringing a gun onto NBA property. Are you saying he didn’t do those things?
As for “Are you saying that if the guy was loaded and it accidently went off, killing Crittendon, that the punishment should be the same?” I’m not really sure where you got that. I said he has not been legally charged or accused of doing anything malicious and it never specifies in the CBA that you have to use the guns maliciously to be punished. You just have to bring the guns in. No more No less. Your argument would hold weight if he had been charged with assault or some nonsense that indicated he had acted in a malicious manner. He has not, he has just plead guilty to felony possession and is looking to get off fairly light for that, in part, because he didn’t hurt anybody. Where have you seen him face legal charges or be suspended for hurting anybody? He hasn’t so there is no point to the “he didn’t hurt anyone argument”.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 7:00 PM EST up reply actions
Gilbert isn't getting an 80 million dollar fine
That would suggest that he has those 80 million dollars and they are being taken away from him.
He has a contract to be paid, not all at once but over a period of time, 80 million more dollars. That contract is conditional on him fulfilling a whole number of obligations. He’s not fulfilling those obligations. So he loses the contract.
Don’t get me wrong – I understand the sentiment. 80 million seems like a high cost to pay. But that speaks more to the ridiculousness of NBA contracts than anything else.
I just think it’s important to distinguish between an 80 million dollar punishment and a breach of contract.
by dcball on Jan 15, 2010 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I'm with you Rook
Punishment does NOT fit the crime, no matter how you look at it. Definite inequality.
My swag was phenomenal.
Advice for Arenas-
He should announce that he will donate one-half of his salary – $40 million – to non-profit programs that assist disadvantaged youth in DC, including scholarships to minority kids so that they can attend the best schools. This would create a more favorable environment for him when he is sentenced in March, plus it would put the Wizards in the position of denying poor kids in DC $40 million if they void Gilbert’s contract.
by CVC on Jan 15, 2010 5:47 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Sorta OT but...
I wonder what the NBA is doing with Gil’s salary, one would hope that Haiti could see some of that instead of the NBA’s pockets.
an "i'm depressed about this" thought
i wish one of the teammates who saw what gil was doing that day physically grabbed gil and knocked some sense into him and got the guns out of there before crittendon walked in and saved all this shit from happening.
but i guess that’s just like wishing the wiz had handled it differently. it’s pretty much pointless and spares gil from his own poor decision.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 6:10 PM EST reply actions
Wizards are effed
Look many people, including myself, only paid attention to the wizards only because of Arenas. He was the star of your team. No one on that team can get the media or fan attention that Arenas can get them. I kept tabs on this team, even though they sucked because of Arenas. He was the guy that got you those national games and the media attention. Once this case dies down, no one will care about your team. It wont be on national TV and its gonna be at the bottom of the NBA for a very long time. Arenas on the other hand will rebuild his image (kobe did), He has a lovable personality that will make people forgive him over time. He is gonna play well where ever he plays. While he rises in the NBA, the wizards will sink.
by CandyMan on Jan 15, 2010 6:16 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
given the events of today
any insight to when the wizards will begin the void process?
they wouldnt need to wait till sentencing.
Nor should Stern
I don’t see why Stern has to wait until sentencing to make his decision on Gil’s punishment. He probably will though.
Lakers-Kobe
Would those of you who HATE Arenas and support the Wizard’s harsh treatment of him explain to me why the Lakers didn’t do exactly the same thing to Kobe (void his contract, erase his image, etc.)? Also explain to me why the Wizards cannot give Arenas a second chance just like the Lakers gave Kobe?
Two answers said over and over again...
A) Because Kobe didn’t have two re-constructive knee surgeries and was still a superstar.
B) Because Arenas was found guilty of a crime, no “ifs ands or buts.”
by Carlos Returns on Jan 15, 2010 7:08 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe if Gil had paid off his detractors
Like Kobe paid off his accuser – Gil too would not have been found guilty, no “if ands or buts”
As part of the settlement agreement, Kobe had to issue the following statement (from Wikipedia):
First, I want to apologize directly to the young woman involved in this incident. I want to apologize to her for my behavior that night and for the consequences she has suffered in the past year. Although this year has been incredibly difficult for me personally, I can only imagine the pain she has had to endure. I also want to apologize to her parents and family members, and to my family and friends and supporters, and to the citizens of Eagle, Colo.
I also want to make it clear that I do not question the motives of this young woman. No money has been paid to this woman. She has agreed that this statement will not be used against me in the civil case. Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.
I issue this statement today fully aware that while one part of this case ends today, another remains. I understand that the civil case against me will go forward. That part of this case will be decided by and between the parties directly involved in the incident and will no longer be a financial or emotional drain on the citizens of the state of Colorado.
Key phrase, she did not view the sexual act as consensual – THAT is rape.
So he paid her off, to drop the criminal charges.
Does that make Kobe innocent?
Like I said, maybe Gil should have pulled out his checkbook, and started stroking checks left and right… and he wouldn’t be in this mess.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
So
Kobe Bryant performs a sexual act against her will….. (rape)… admits it in a statement… All it took was a huge diamond to assuage his wife…. some undisclosed amount of cash to assuage his victim…… but even less for David Stern and the NBA who said – “You’re good Kobe…. go ahead and play basketball”; without so much as even a 1-game suspension…
Rape is OK,….. but if you bring unloaded guns to the Locker Room, we’ll throw the book at you.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jan 15, 2010 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
OJ murdered someone and just had to pay some money
Is what Kobe did less bad now? How about we compare them all to Hitler or Bin Laden then they all look like Saints.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
you hit the nail on the head rook..
…Stern thinks rape is ok…so long as its not on NBA property. what a joke (and a double standard)
I don't think the Wizards can give Gil a second chance-
the bridges have been burned. I can’t really remember the Kobe case but if I remember correctly he was flying to his hearings on the team plane. I’m sure some of it is the type of player he is and some of it was that they actually were waiting for the legal process to play out. They presumed innocence over guilt. It also is different because Kobe proclaimed his innocence and Gilbert admitted to committing a crime. BTW – I don’t support the harsh treatment. It’s not black and white for me.
it's their prerogative
maybe they were already borderline fed up with gil’s antics before this happened. plus the timing of this with respect to abe’s death. they might be outraged with gil, whereas the lakers may have taken a wait and see stance since the charge could just as well have been bullshit upon initially finding out about it. in this case, it happened in the sanctity of verizon center, and the wiz knew just about everything about it right off the bat. only stern prevented them from acting immediately.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
apples and oranges
but a slight improvement over CVC’s usual rant that this is all a conspiracy by the leftist David Stern and his attempt to prevent players from legally owning guns. Still a total crock of shit though.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
Yes - sometimes us women lie about these things-
it’s god awful for everyone involved. Also I think there were differing witness accounts and it was difficult to know who was telling the truth.
Remember, Kobe was very close to being traded
It was not until the Lakers made the finals did the NBA and Lakers all of a sudden forgive him. I am just tired of the Kobe argument. I think we all remember the strain between him and the Lakers organization.
Sorry guys
I’m finding it increasingly difficult to find any even-handedness here…… Remorse or not… Kobe admitted wrongdoing. By not acting on that case (and others) David Stern has effectively said “It’s Ok to commit sexual assault”….. “It’s not a big deal to fire a gun 5 times during an altercation in a strip club parking lot” ….. “It doesn’t matter if you smack your wife around”…… “If you drive drunk, endangering the public, I’ll give you a mild suspension, but nothing too serious”….. “I don’t think it’s a real problem to have a loaded weapon on a team plane”….. “I’m not going to pass judgment on a player that is riding around with multiple unlicensed, loaded weapons strapped to his body”…..
“Just don’t make fun of me” ….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jan 15, 2010 7:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
So by your argument Stern should continue to be wrong?
Do you know who complains about someone else not being punished as severely when they did something wrong? Children.
by BayAreaBullet on Jan 15, 2010 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
More bad news for GIl
http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/15/gilbert-arenas-dropped-by-adidas/
When the hell did TMZ become my source for sports news?
You guys always have the best threads
after I get off of work. I could much more effectively kill off my day if all this breaking news happened while I was at work.
Gil's gonna be alright, pray for the Wiz
Some team is going to get Gil at a bargain price next year. Wouldn’t surprise me if he was the piece to put the Rockets/Bobcats/Mavs/Suns over the hump of championship caliber. No doubt he will be more relevant than the Wiz for the next few years. Still love Gil and my team, think they could have worked this out to a happy ending but it doesn’t look like that can happen anymore. Gilbert is no thug and y’all know it. He’s Andy Kaufman with crazy basketball skills and took it too far. Wiz fans will miss Gil for a long time even if they don’t realize it just yet.
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