So, I read this yesterday before heading out to watch the Rockets/Wizards game with a buddy at BW3 Midtown. We watch the game, root on the Rockets, and are happy with the victory, no matter how ugly. Since the wife was at the parents and my buddy wasn't going to see his family until today, we decided to stick around and play Golden Tee 2007. Two hours of that later, plus one game of that Silver Streak Bowling (I think that's what it's called) and we're sitting there arguing whether or not a bowling alley would be open at 12:30 on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving (I voted no). As we're discussing this pertinent issue, I see an African-American guy, about an inch or so taller than me, talking to the waiter right behind us. It's Gilbert Freaking Arenas. I let him finish his conversation with the waiter before going up to say 'hi'. He's very cool and I lay it on thick that he's my favorite non-Rocket (not really true). My buddy then asks him if he called backboard on that shot with 3.8 seconds. He laughed and said he didn't. Then, I remembered reading this blog post about him on Deadspin. And I remembered that another friend of mine got a PS3 (the 60g or whatever) and three games off eBay (took time off from b****ing about Jeff Bowden there) for $960. I tell Gilbert (we're on a first name basis by this point) this and his eyes get really big and said, 'no ****?'. Apparently, he misheard me and thought I said I had one. Once I told him it was my friend, he acted disappointed and said he wanted to roll to my place to play it. That would've been about the most badass thing that's ever happened to me, but no such luck. Anyway, he gave us one of those handshake/hug things, we wished him a Happy Thanksgiving and off we went. We walked by his table and he was with DeShawn Stevenson and two ladies. Oh yeah, the limo that took them there nearly blocked me into by parking space. Cool guy and now he might be my favorite non-Rocket.
arenas is real cool, you can tell by the way he carries himself on the court. time to go buy a ps3 and hope i run into arenas so he'll come over and play videogames with me
Cool, I saw Steve Nash last year at a club in Houston once. Don't remember where. Yeah from all the things I read about Arenas, he is real cool. I remember picking off the free agency his rookie or 2nd year because ppl in my league didnt know who he was. Nice fantasy basketball stats, needless to say.
I've loved Gilbert ever since his Wildcat days (we're on a first-name basis too, in my dreams). That would have been amazing if you could've played video games with him. Lawl @ the thought of you beating him at NBA Live. Man, I should live in Houston so I can go to BW3s and watch the Rockets. How fun. Congrats on your brush with a star. If I see you again I want to shake your hand to get some of that Gilbert magic on me.
He's pretty close to being my favorite non-Rocket. He's the reason I follow the Wizards closely. It kills me they are doing so poorly with him on the team.
Niiceeee, I want to run into him in DC now. It's a couple hours away but Wizards are my home team. I'm surprised he didn't preorder a PS3 since he's a gamer and so damn rich. It seems like he's a nerdy basketball player, didn't think it was possible for someone with those 2 attributes to be so good at basketball.
Rockets must find out where opposing players are carousing, and send hordes of hot girls with PS3s inviting them to come home and play PS3.
wow Gilbert sounds really cool. I agree it would've been freaking crazy if he would've went to your house to play video games
yeah gilbert is by far my favorite non rocket as well, i just really like his game a lot. did you get his autograph by the way? Or deshawn's? deshawn might have needed some cheering up after his 0-7. However, i bet his lady friend made him feel plenty appreciated anyways
Yeah I heard Gilbert Arenas loves to play video games. Thats freaking crazy how you met him there LOL.. That would be AWESOME if he came over to play some games.. WOW... that would have been awesome
Everytime you see that great big grin on Gilbert Arenas' face, you've gotta love him. But he's always somehow underrated in most fans' eyes (only getting into the All-Star team because of an injury) and I think it's time for him to get a starting spot by himself. Plus, he's doing wonders for my fantasy team! Keep on stealing and assisting!
He seems like a really likable guy. I'm glad you posted this. r95. Untill I read this post, he was just a guy who played for the Wiz and scored a lot. He'll be on my BBalll radar now.
http://www.nba.com/blog/gilbert_arenas.html Arenas blog... sheds some light on the PS3 situation. Also mentioned the Rockets (before playing them) Juwan sure kills them every year... though he does it a lot less frequently now that he's no longer on their team.
i give much respect for Gilbert after Wed. My fellow season tix holder friend went to the game on wed (while i was stuck at work ) and went early when the doors open hopefully get Gilbert to sign his jersey, but wasn't there when he got in. So around 5mins left in the game, he moved down from our sec 418 seats and sat near the exit where the visiting players leave. After the game was over, he threw her jersey to a fan, and my friend shouted his name to sign his jersey and without hesitation, he signed my friends jersey. Thats class act, they just lost and a opposing fan asked to sign your jersey and he signed it with no attitude at all. I give that man more respect than most NBA ballars.
