"You know one thing I think everyone has to understand some, Gil, in the two years I’ve been here, has been the easiest guy I’ve had to coach. Okay? So people say, ‘Gil, Gil,’ but he's receptive and he will do whatever I ask him to do from a coaching standpoint. And I’ve said that from day one. So whatever role I give him, I think it’s more the opposite where he’ll defer more than he will try to do too much, especially with the group that we have. So I think if I ask him to score, he’ll score. If I ask him to set people up, I think he’ll try to do that. And he did that last year and he’s continued to do that through training camp this year. I think that’s one of the reasons that our younger players have been so committed to what we’re trying to do because how he’s gone about his approach to doing things too."
Flip Saunders when I asked him how he felt Gilbert Arenas would fit into the team's up-tempo ball-movement style this year.
Truth About It has video of the whole conversation with Arenas that I missed here.
over 1 year ago
Mike Prada
49 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Whoever we trade Gil for, if we do...
might end up with us wishing for him back.
We're from the city with the highest murder rate in the country. Why WOULDN'T they call us the Bullets?
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Oct 13, 2010 1:50 AM EDT reply actions
The more people hate Gil...the more I like him...I like how he brushes off criticism.
He’s gonna ball this year. Just wait!
by tw10 on Oct 13, 2010 2:04 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Right on
People are making him out to be Iverson with the Pistons or something, he’s really not a bad guy.
Follow me on twitter - http://twitter.com/TheRealTPruitt
by pantslessyoda1 on Oct 13, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Gil is the man.
Hate the sin, but not the sinner.
Why trade him? He belongs in D.C. Trade him because of his contract not because he poorly made a mistake.
Not surprising
and part of the reason I think Leonsis/Grunfeld are in no rush to trade Arenas for pennies on the dollar.
saw's kyle's vid
it’s great to see Gil smiling again
One thing to keep in mind
I posted this on Twitter, but it’s worth putting in here again – don’t be so quick to denounce the possibility that Flip knew about this. Flip often likes to rest his veterans in preseason, so he and Arenas could have easily come to the same conclusion about giving Nick Young a chance. Gil could just be doing what he always does and artificially adding intrigue and drama to the whole thing.
I’ve got no inside information here; just a hunch.
Agree
To his credit, Gilbert I think really wanted Nick to have a shot at playing with the first unit and Nick made the most of it.
The move of Yi to the starting unit at the 5 and bringing JVM off the bench also worked very well.
Atlanta is showing a lot of flaws and may not be a lock for the 5th slot in the East. I continue to believe that the current Wizards team has a reasonable shot at the playoffs and Gilbert will be an integral part of the run, one way or another, as scoring leader and/or trade bait in a real blockbuster that adds frontcourt depth at the deadline.
This is the scenario you're proposing?
Flip wants to get NY a start. Instead of just saying that he’s going to rest Gil for a game Flip decides to pretend that there is a knee flare up.
What?
Besides the fact that it’s preposterous, why on earth would he say it’s the knee? Hello red flag to all potential trade partners. I mean, even under the unimaginable circumstance that Flip agreed to fake something rather than just tell the truth, why not call it stomach flu?
Sorry, but some of the people on this board are burying their head in the sand. The system is blinking red.
Yeah, I can’t imagine why Flip would be in on this. This sounds like a classic Arenas move. Not that it bothers me.
by Johnnie Futbol on Oct 13, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I dunno
Okay, so I don’t think they hatched a mutual conspiracy or anything. I’m just saying to consider this progression of events.
1. Flip says Gil’s knee is "acting up and " a little sore and stiff" after two days of hard practices.
2. Gil shoots around normally during warmups.
3. Flip defends Gil vehemently during a post-game press conference when pressed with the opportunity to express his dismay, calling Arenas the easiest player he’s coached in his two years here.
4. Gil claims he “faked” an injury.
Immediately, here are my questions.
-If Gil “faked” an injury, why didn’t he limp around or just not participate in warmups? Why not continue the hoax? If he was really trying to send a message, wouldn’t he either a) refuse to show up on the bench, or b) warm up, say he changed his mind and wants to play, and either play or sulk when Flip said no (which didn’t happen – he was laughing and high-fiving out there).
-If Gil “faked” an injury, why was he in uniform?
-If Gil “faked” an injury, why didn’t Flip take a chance to show his displeasure or at least say something about it when asked about it. We know Flip is prone to impulsively bashing his players publicly when he’s pissed.
My guess is that the following happened:
-Flip was planning on playing Arenas up until shootaround.
-Arenas came to Flip and said “Look, my knee is still a bit sore from earlier in training camp, and while I’m probably good enough to play, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
-Flip says “Fine, whatever, it’s preseason, I’ll just give Nick a chance.”
-Gil warms up normally because he’s not really that hurt
-Nick plays well given his chance, so Flip defends Gil
-Gil claims after the fact that he “faked” the injury because he’s Gilbert and he likes people talking about him.
Now, also consider that Flip historically rests veterans in preseason at the slightest thought of pain and likes to play around with lineup combinations. Maybe he wasn’t going to rest Gilbert tonight at first, but he also won’t care if he has to do so.
I’m not trying to say that was the right thing to do; I’m just saying the whole “he defied/disrespected his coach” explanation doesn’t really make sense to me. I’m not saying they hatched some mutual plan to engage in this misdirection play; I’m saying that I find it very hard to believe that Flip felt Gil was seriously hurt.
Keep in mind too that this is his full quote, in response to a question I believe Michael Lee posed after Nick Young mentioned something about people sacrificing so he could play (I think).
"Yea, I told him I’d sacrifice playing tonight so he’d get some time. Because I know he’s kinda frustrated not getting a chance to crank it up at the three position, especially since we’re going three guards. So I told him I’d fake an injury or say something’s wrong with me. So that’s why he said sacrifice."
Is Gil stirring drama for no reason? Yeah, probably. (and on some level, yeah, I admit that I do find it funny/amusing), but I think that’s the extent of what this is. I guess we’ll see how Flip responds at practice today.
I agree that's probably what happened
It’s still lying to his coach and faking an injury, even if he faked a slight one. I’m not sure I see the difference.
Because I don't really think he lied
I think he embellished the picture by using the word “fake,” which sets off an alarm bell in people’s heads. That’s silly, wacky, dumb, however you want to put it, no doubt about it.
But in reality, I think Flip and him came to an understanding during shootaround that there was no real reason for Arenas to play. I think they both realized it might be worth giving Nick a chance to play a bit more for evaluation purposes. Gil just then chose to say he made up some injury in some silly, misguided attempt to demonstrate he sacrifices.
I dunno, maybe we’re just talking semantics.
Right
no lie at all.
Gil talks to the media the way we talk to babes when we are trying to holler – slight “lies” to make the story cooler / more interesting.
shine like bald head, smoke trees call me log head
Hater, Hater, That's What You ARRREEEE
Yes, you go on every last article dealing with Arenas and say how much you want him gone and now you want him suspended (I read what you said in the other post)? Come on, let’s call it what it is, you just plain don’t like this guy. Was this the best way to handle this ‘injury’? Of course not, but it’s Gilbert being Gilbert. What difference does it make what he claimed the injury is if it doesn’t exist? This is just another example of people making something out of nothing. Players skip pre-season games all the time for various reasons, but the difference here is he was maybe too open and honest about it. IT’S A PRE-SEASON GAME!!!! If this was a regular season game then you make a big deal about this, but we don’t know what him and Flip talked about so why even try to figure it out when it doesn’t matter. Let’s move on and talk about something important………..like the game!
by ThePGPhenomenon on Oct 13, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Beeep Beeeep Beeeeeeeep BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPP
that is my hate-ar going cra-cra-craaaaaaaaaazzzyyyy
shine like bald head, smoke trees call me log head
Well if you actually read my posts
you’d see that I’ve said repeatedly that I DON’T want him traded. Although he’s testing my limits.
So if you don’t want him gone than what do you want then? Gilbert is a goofy character you have to accept that. That’s who he is. I don’t understand why you get so bent out of shape over his actions. He’s been doing this stuff for years. I agree with what Mike assessment of what happened, but I also personally think he is playing games with the media. Silly yes, but why would you expect anything else from him?
by ThePGPhenomenon on Oct 13, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
MR's simply expressing concern over what he's doing
It’s his right to do that without having to say what he thinks Arenas’ long-term future here should be.
He’s been doing this stuff for years
And it led to disaster.
I guess I was expecting more from him. I guess I was expecting him to stop with the childish stuff. I was hoping his suspension would lead him to mature. From what I can see it hasn’t.
Besides the gun gate, what has he done that was so bad? A lot of the hype about his antics has been the media. People hate that he defecated in Blatche’s shoes, but these same people won’t even bring up the fact that Shaq did the same thing to his teammates, but Shaq is portrayed as a saint for the most part. Him playing jokes does not equate to maturity. Shaquille O’Neal does silly things too but he still doesn’t get accused for being immature. Why can’t somebody joke around? Is that not okay? Why does he have to serious all the time?
by ThePGPhenomenon on Oct 13, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I understand. My point is you may have to take the good with the ‘bad’. It’s no difference than Clinton Portis and his antics with the Redskins. People may not like his attitude but they love his play and they tolerate it. You can’t expect Arenas to just change. That’s Arenas. So could MR live with Arenas being on this team, doing these things and never changing? That’s what I’m wondering.
by ThePGPhenomenon on Oct 13, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
That's a great question
I’m not sure.
I think at this point if he’s going to be faking injuries, pooping on people’s stuff, constantly pushing the line and generally being disrespectful to everyone but his team mates I guess maybe I’d rather he be gone.
It was one thing to tolerate stuff because we had a shot at contending, but it’s a new era. Maybe it’s time to be more serious and put that stuff behind us. Start with a new attitude.
I don’t know, I’m still struggling with it. Mostly I’m just concerned that he’s going to push and push and push the line until he crosses a line too far. I’d rather not waste another year watching that happen.
Come on now
We don’t use the “H” word on this site.
by Mike Prada on Oct 13, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hey MR
Arenas’s “injury” aside, what do you make of Flip’s statement in Mike’s original post?
by Johnnie Futbol on Oct 13, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm sure it's true.
Flip said Gil is the easiest guy to coach on the court. I’m sure that’s true.
The difference is that a lot of people here think that Gil’s antics off the court will have no effect in the locker room or on the court. I don’t believe that to be true and it concerns me.
I kinda agree here
Do we want Blatche faking a sprained ankle so Seraphin can get some run? I know this is an extreme example; Blatche is hopefully smarter than that. But this whole episode does raise a discipline question.
Probably not
Though I’d probably shrug that off too.
I guess I’ve just kind of accepted that Arenas will march to his own drum to a certain extent. My hope is that he simply has good intentions, rather than complaining about having to play defense or bashing the medical staff. So far, I think he has had good intentions, and I think that as long as that’s true, his antics won’t have a negative effect.
And like I said, I think the concern that people will think they can be Arenas themselves has gone away (or at least significantly lessened) now that John Wall is on the team.
artificially adding intrigue and drama to the whole thing.
Or putting out a cover story for a respected veteran…. He’s a little sore, we’re gonna give him a rest…..
versus
I’m starting Nick Young, instead of Arenas…… (Rampant trade speculation ensues…. personality defects are analyzed …. amateur psychologists try to decipher what it will do to Arenas’ psyche, being benched….. Columns will be written that there is a rift between Arenas and Flip Saunders …. )
Probably just easier to lie….. (Except Arenas blew it)….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Two things that would be easier than faking a knee problem:
“Gilbert is going to take a game off. I like to give vets a rest during pre-season”
“Gilbert has flu-like symptoms”
Gil – “Hey Coach, My knee’s a little stiff today….. I might want to sit out tonight….. (wink, wink)…. nothing serious.. and I would probably play if this were the regular season….and I’ll play tonight, if you think it’s important enough…….but, maybe give Nick some run instead?”
Flip – (nodding knowingly) – "Sure Gil, no problem. Understood (wink) "……………. “Hey, Nick……………………”
Later – speaking with the media:
Flip – “We had two hard days of practice so I think that he’s sore, a little bit stiff today, at least that’s what he said to me at shoot around,”
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
But Rook's scenario...
Sounds very feasible.
by Johnnie Futbol on Oct 13, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
If Flip were really in on this...
"Gilbert is going to take a game off. I like to give vets a rest during pre-season"
That would have made the most sense. But Flip really wasn’t in on this.
by Johnnie Futbol on Oct 13, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
And "in on this"
I mean knowing the complete motivation of Gilbert. I can certainly imagine Flip not accomodating Arenas’s request to sit while assuming that Gil just wanted the night off.
by Johnnie Futbol on Oct 13, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Er...
I can certainly imagine Flip not accomodating Arenas’s request…
by Johnnie Futbol on Oct 13, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Funny
In the video it looks like Gil catches himself smiling and then remembers he’s supposed to be emo Gil and tries to hold back.
by gilsix on Oct 13, 2010 9:38 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I saw that too
He sure didn’t look like a depressed malcontent to me.
Hmm… let’s see.
Has “knee soreness” on the…
- first home game of the preseason
- so nick young can start
maybe he didn’t want to play and he was telling the truth. I’d be terrified and ashamed after everything that went down last year. maybe he wants his first home game to be a real meaningful game. people put gil down too much, but if you were in the same position you’d feel just as bad for the city as you would yourself for being that way last year.
so a vet with a history of knee issues begs out of a pre-season game
and gives a reason that is 1/2 believable (knee) and 1/2 mildly absurd but good natured (help nick get minutes) and people see it as a negative, or unusual.
i’m beginning to understand what people mean when they say arenas can’t win with the media.
yeesh. relax.
"hindsight is 50-50" - Steve Spurrier
by little stevie colter on Oct 13, 2010 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Exactly
his knee was sore and the NY is his boyeeeeee.
He just said it in a silly manner, and haters are gonna hate.
In all honesty though looking at how ESPN reported it I don’t really see them giving Arenas a hard time at all.
shine like bald head, smoke trees call me log head
Just another example of Gil picking the wrong way to show team support
Does anyone remember that strange incident where Gil wouldn’t leave Awvee Storey’s side when Storey was getting arrested in Miami?
Or when he told everyone Kwame Brown was sick because of bad Chinese food when Brown was actually pissed off about playing time?
There’s a line of thinking that says the whole gun incident was Gil’s funny way of teasing Javaris C.
Some of these antics were benign; some brought terrible consequences. All, in my opinion, were efforts to show team support that never needed to occur. Last night was just another instance.
Mike, is there any chance that we see a consistent rotation in the starting lineup throughout the year based on the team we are playing? What I mean by this is having Wall and Arenas one game, Wall and Hinrich another game, or even have all 3 on the court at the same time only if the other team’s #3 plays more like a SG that Gil could run with?
comments
1 – i went to wapo first this morning and read the wizards insider column and i knew before i even got to this site that the lead was going to be the blurb about flip saying how coachable gil is.
2 – publicly, flip has no choice but to say something like this, he really doesn’t have any other reasonable play here, so it’s effectively meaningless.
3 – since we have no idea whether what gil’s saying is true at this point, it’s as likely as any other theory that gil’s knee really is bothering him.
4 – forget about flip and management, who certainly are annoyed by this, how would other teammates feel about gil trying to influence roster decisions? it’s a reasonable possibility that this annoys just about everyone around gil other than fans who are gilbert advocates, which, whether you find this all amusing or not, i urge you to take this into consideration as a fan of this team. funny? maybe. productive? beneficial to the team? i’m having a tough time seeing that.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Oct 13, 2010 1:52 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bullets Forever
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Lakers absolutely melted down the stretch
- Shaving a picture of Matt Bonner in his head could net a young Spurs fan an in-school suspension
- Greg Oden wants to play for the Miami Heat
- LeBron James and Kobe Bryant on Forbes World’s Most Powerful Celebrities list
- Evan Turner loves getting his butt kicked
