Arenas Disputes Police Report From Times Wire Reports May 31, 2006 Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas on Tuesday denied making comments attributed to him in a police report detailing his arrest on Saturday night in Miami Beach. Arenas and Awvee Storey, who played with the Wizards last season, were arrested and charged with disobeying police after they got out of a vehicle on a street packed with people during an event known as Urban Beach Week. ADVERTISEMENT As Arenas was arrested, according to the police report, he said: "You can't arrest me. I'm a basketball player. I play for the Washington Wizards and I'm not going to leave my teammate." Arenas said he never made such a statement. "All I did was get out of the car to ask where they were taking Awvee so I could come get him out, and some officer comes up from behind and cuffs me," Arenas said in a telephone interview with the Washington Post. "Everyone knows me. They know I don't have a cocky personality. I don't use my name to get in trouble and I don't use my name to get out of trouble. That would never come out of my mouth." Arenas said he and Storey were riding in a limousine in heavy traffic when Storey got out of the vehicle after recognizing a former teammate. According to the police report, Storey was asked by an officer to get back onto the sidewalk. When Storey did not leave the street, the officer arrested him. Arenas and Storey were processed and released after paying a fine. A total of 557 people, including Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes, were arrested between Thursday morning and Saturday night on Miami Beach during an annual event that attracts several thousand people. This year, police increased their presence during the event. Meanwhile, Arenas called Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, on Sunday to explain what happened. Arenas will be one of 23 players trying out for the U.S. team beginning July 19 in Las Vegas, and Colangelo has emphasized character in his selections. "I just wanted him to know that this wasn't a situation where I was out of control, disrespecting police," Arenas said. "That's not how I am." George Postolos, president and chief executive of the Houston Rockets, is resigning to form a company to help investment groups acquire sports franchises. Postolos, 42, played key roles in raising money for the construction of the Toyota Center and in forging the Rockets' television partnership with the Houston Astros in his eight years with the team. Postolos previously worked as a special assistant to NBA Commissioner David Stern.
Good to hear that Gilbert wasn't acting as stupidly as he had originally appeared to be. I know a lot of people probably won't believe him, but I've done some reading up on the guy lately and he seems pretty genuine. I take his word for it when he says the reports are false. It was big of him to take the initiative and call Colangelo as well. I hope he still makes the team. EDIT: Here's another article, by Michael Wilbon of PTI, that I just saw posted on another message board. It's informative in terms of the incident, gives you an idea of Gilbert's personality, and has some funny parts as well. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/31/AR2006053102247.html
I believe Gilbert's side of the story is a lot closer to the truth. These arrests sound somewhat like the TABC busts - just harassment by the popo.
here are some of gilbert's quotes, compliments of the Links at slamonline.com: Gilbert Arenas is either the most down to earth superstar or the craziest. Probably a little of column A, a little of column B. Take it away Gilbert: "I still don't understand what for. I was in a limousine, stuck in really bad traffic going to this restaurant, Ago, when I decided to step out of the car. The limo driver said, 'The guy who just got out is being arrested.' I looked over and saw seven police officers arresting Storey. . . . I didn't have the chance to say anything; an officer put cuffs on me from behind. . . . When I was taken in, I said, 'I don't mean to be rude, but can I talk to the officer who arrested me?' And the officer says, 'You were being nosy.' And I said, 'Are you putting that in your official police report, that I was being nosy?' And then he keeps asking me questions: 'Do you have tattoos?' I said, 'Yes, I have three.' And then, 'What is your street name?' I laughed. Of course I laughed. My street name? What? Okay, it's Zero Hero. And he says, 'Oh, everything is funny to you, huh?' " Then, when asked if he really said "You can't arrest me. I'm a basketball player. I play for the Washington Wizards," Gilbert keeps going: "You know I didn't say that. It's so dumb. . . . Have you seen the movie 'Anchorman?' There's a scene where Ron Burgundy says, 'I'm kinda of a big deal; people know me.' It reminds me of that. It doesn't work in the movies or on TV . . . Anyway, there was a guy locked up in one of these three cells who said, 'Hey, Gil, if they brought you in here I'm never getting out.' And one officer said to me, "Gilbert, what are you doing in here?' And I said, 'I don't know.' I watch a lot of TV, and I know I haven't even been searched. I've still got my cellphone on me and stuff.' That's when a lady officer told me what I was being charged with." no offense to members of the board, but just as professional athletes always come off as idiots, most encounters either i've had with police or that i read about show the brave law enforcing members of our society to be pretty big idiots as well. what is your street name? how many tats do you have? is this guy serious?
good post...lol @ what is your street name? how many tats do you have? gilbert has always seemed like he was a good guy to me...you never see him trash talk and he has no ego even though he was told he wouldn't play at all in college...i even saw gilbert show up at a family friend's house with a brand new car as a surprise gift on tv once...he just seems like a cool dude
