One last Gilbert Arenas tribute from Mike Wise (UPDATED)

by Mike Prada on Dec 22, 2010 3:32 PM EST in Gilbert Arenas Tribute

UPDATE, BY MIKE P.

Apologies everyone, but we've taken the article down. Mike initially said we could run it, but after seeing it online, he's asked me to take it down because SB Nation are competitors with the Washington Post. To sum up his comments, I will give you my my favorite line from the email:

" Gilbert was always the same guy, floating with ease among every race and every class. Looking back, the only thing that was a little disconcerting was Gilbert's need for approval from them all."

For those who haven't read it, my apologies, but out of respect to Mike, I've taken it down.

I realize that we're two days removed from Gilbert Arenas Tribute Day, and everyone kind of just wants to move on. However, I wanted to throw out just one more Arenas tribute post for you all to read.

As part of the day, I reached out to a number of writers, journalists and fans who covered Gilbert Arenas' Wizards career closest. I did it on short notice, so most people just pointed to the work they had done on him in the past and invited me to link it. However, earlier today, I got a response from Mike Wise, the one guy who may know Arenas better than any other media member in D.C. Wise was away from his email and just got what I sent him, and sent back this essay with some really powerful thoughts. He said that I should feel free to post them and that he may use some of them for a column when Arenas returns on February 4.

His thoughts are below the jump. For anyone who cares about Arenas, I highly encourage you all to read this.

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Comments

Touching….

Mike really can put emotions into words.

He's "delightfully cranky"

by Rook6980 on Dec 22, 2010 3:49 PM EST reply actions

Wow

I absolutely hate Mike Wise but that was a very good read. Hat tip to him. I appreciate you putting that up and all the work the BF team did for tribute day.

by BayAreaBullet on Dec 22, 2010 3:50 PM EST reply actions

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!

That was really an excellent insight and tribute to Gil.

Long-Time Wizard Fan

by WizardFan on Dec 22, 2010 3:54 PM EST reply actions

Anyone who can imagine what it’s like not to be wanted by the person who brought you into the world at 3 years old — and the irreparable harm that does to a kid — needs to understand that in any conversation about Gilbert. Ask any mental-health professional, to this day that influences every aspect of that kid’s life.

Abandonment can’t be understood by anyone who hasn’t experienced it. “It casts a shadow over the rest of your life that you perpetually try to escape from under” is about the best I can describe it.

by jones-y on Dec 22, 2010 3:54 PM EST reply actions

That Was Probably the Best Piece of Work I Have Ever Read From Mike Wise

That’s all I have to say about that.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

"JaVale has five highlight plays a game. Unfortunately, there's about 200 plays in a game. He's got to get more substance than style." -- Flip Saunders summing up Javale McGee perfectly

by cuppettcj on Dec 22, 2010 3:56 PM EST reply actions

Holy Crap

Wow…

SpottieOttieDopaliscious

by Rekka on Dec 22, 2010 4:27 PM EST reply actions

Im gonna miss Gilbert but just like my memories of everything else, everything has its day, and everything has an end. The bitterness of beauty we find on this life on Earth.

by Unxpekted on Dec 22, 2010 6:04 PM EST reply actions