In hindsight, I actually credit Stern who appeared to wait for the results of the law enforcement's investigation before making his own decision. Arenas had to exacerbate the situation with Twitter and that pre-game exhibition, forcing Stern's hand. I suspected Arenas was going to take the fall for himself and Crittenton just because it was a stupid incident and two people didn't need to go down for it. Arenas obviously got the brunt of it because he's the bigger star. And now more details are leaking out. Sorry to go off on a tangent, but this is further evidence Tiger Woods didn't get his media attention because of his race, it was his stardom. Take this situation for example. Crittenton appears to be the more 'criminal' of the two, yet Arenas is a much bigger star and was put under the microscope first.
Any reason why Crittendon is not suspended? He is the one who allegedly had a firearm of his own and loaded and cocked it. Much worse Though he has been smart and stayed quiet
The trouble for investigators is that Crittenton did the smart thing a criminal facing possible possession and assault with a dangerous weapon charges should do: he disposed of his weapon and they can't find it anymore. Eye witness accounts alone are not going to be sufficient to build a valid case, and Stern wants to wait for law enforcement to run its course before bringing down his own hammer. And it seems that Arenas did a good job trying to cover for Crittenton so that he wouldn't get in trouble, at least in the early going. I agree with you, though. What Arenas did was just sheer immaturity and unseriousness. It makes sense to me now why he didn't take it serious with the twitterring and and the pre-game warmup antics -- it was all a big joke to him from start to finish. Until Stern got really angry and took away his paycheck. Crittenton, on the other hand, if these allegations turn out to be proven true, will never play again in the league. And God help him if they find that gun ... he could go to jail. It's one thing to have unloaded guns around and joke about them, it's another to actually load one with a live bullet in plain sight.
Never been a fan of Arenas either, but if the Washington Post's account of events is true, he definitely does not deserve to get that contract voided. It is strange that the initial rumours were focusing on Arena's actions when what Crittenton did was 10x worse.
Wish him good luck with this... League has been extremely sensitive with this kind of things and he fell in that hole. If nothing else he can found basketball luck overseas. Good thing D Morey didn't accept the offer from Wiz
All i'll say is that Stern needs to be careful not to be too harsh when dishing out suspensions (or a possible ban, as was alluded to). First, the Player's Association would never stand for that. Second, what if this happens again accidentally? If you go by Devin Harris' guesstimation that 75% of NBA players own guns -- you mean to tell me a player like LeBron that goes clubbing every night doesn't own at least one gun? What if he or one of his entourage accidentally leaves it in a bag or something and he unknowingly brings it onto "NBA property" - or however the rule is written? If you use Arenas as the precedent for this you're almost left with no choice but to punish that player in a similar fashion. Unless, of course, you don't mind having your credibility and integrity standards questioned.
I think Gil will get his contract voided because gun laws in the DC area, from what i've read, are VERY tough and a felony is very much possible. Crittenton seems like a thug, from an outsiders view, and Stern will come down VERY hard on him probably a lifetime ban to make an example out of him. Gil doesn't seem like a bad guy just immature so I get the feeling he will get another shot at probably Mid-Level money once he is allowed back in, of course if his contract is voided.
The best way to keep the NBA credible is to punish anyone who breaks the rule. I don't see how a responsible adult could be unknowingly carrying a gun. If you are, you aren't responsible and should be punished.
Agreed. There are two types of gun owners. Responsible people who keep tabs on their guns and keep them in a safe location and then there is everyone else who don't deserve to own a dog, much less a lethal weapon.
Guys check this out: http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/07/arenas-gun-standoff-locker-room-video/ The Xmas Eve gun standoff between Gilbert Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton may have been caught on tape by surveillance cameras, law enforcement sources tell TMZ. We're told the Washington Wizards have told D.C. cops they have locker room surveillance video but are having trouble downloading it. The Geek Squad -- aka computer-savvy detectives -- are going to the Wizards organization today to help. And get this -- a source connected with the investigation tells TMZ the Wizards have been "over cooperative" with cops -- as the source says, "almost as if they want Arenas to go down." The source says "there is a better than 50/50 chance the U.S. Attorney will issue a felony arrest warrant against Arenas." As for what caused the confrontation that allegedly triggered a gun standoff -- law enforcement tells TMZ it was all over a card game known as Bourré. The NBA suspended Arenas indefinitely yesterday and, as we first reported, Arenas didn't have a license for the guns. Footage coming!
We're talking about professional athletes here. Plenty of them aren't exactly the coldest beers in the fridge. I'm not saying everybody that breaks the rule shouldn't be punished -- all i'm saying is be wary of crime vs. punishment. Suspending Arenas for more than just the rest of the season is where that distinction starts to get lopsided.
I disagree. There are multiple witnesses that have said they saw Crittenton draw and load the weapon. If that's a crime, multiple eyewitnesses will be enough to convict. Juries don't require as much forensic evidence as internet posters seemingly would require.
but would the DA go ahead with that charge, knowing that all they have are eyewitness accounts? if they balk at testifying, you have no case.
Arenas charged with a felony could be a HUGE break for the Wiz, since it was a felony if he gets convicted then he could get his contract voided A LOT easier. http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/Arenas-Charged-With-Felony-81558302.html
Well this Felony is a game changer. Prediction: his contract is gone and he's banned from the NBA for at least the rest of the season. So, should the Rockets go after him considering he'll be an UFA. :grin:
What if the Wizards paid Crittenton to be an accomplice in all this whole thing just so they can get charges pinned on Arenas ergo having the chance to void his contract? That'd be something....
i'd agree w/ the rest of the season. Which is why I put money (or, would have, hypothetically..) on over 40.5 games for his suspension
I wonder... has this gem been posted yet? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...1/09/AR2010010902200.html?sid=ST2010011000138
