The Official Gilbert Arenas Shrine

[nate33]

We know it's just Gilbert being Gilbert, but that comment makes for yet another distraction that he and the team just don't need - even if it is just a minor distraction.

Yeah, this is the kind of thing Arenas needs to stop if he cares about redeeming his image. Maybe he doesn't care, which is fine with me, but he can't then complain about the media not treating him fairly.

[zapatasblood]

Also Kurt Hienrich to help with Wall

[Rafael122]

He's like a child, seriously. You have to treat him with kid gloves.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I like it. He lets Nick Young get some minutes and confidence. He lets Wall have the spotlight to himself for the first home game. And Gil gets himself some rest.

Retraction: He should've just asked Flip for the night off and not lie. It just creates another dumb distraction.

[verbal8]

We know it's just Gilbert being Gilbert, but that comment makes for yet another distraction that he and the team just don't need - even if it is just a minor distraction.

Yeah, this is the kind of thing Arenas needs to stop if he cares about redeeming his image. Maybe he doesn't care, which is fine with me, but he can't then complain about the media not treating him fairly.

I think Arenas falls into the trap of thinking "any publicity is good publicity".

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

He's like a child, seriously. You have to treat him with kid gloves.

Raffy, the second part--handle him with kid gloves.

From my perspective, Gil might be having a mental breakdown. I am worried a bit about impulsivity and just a weird vibe he's giving.

At face value, I thought he was just messing with the media and happy but now I see he sat out the home opening preseason game. If there isn't a rational explanation (mad about Hinrich and Wall being captains? ) then I'm not so sure how to feel. Did this for Nick? I don't know ...

The part that REALLY makes no sense is you don't admit to faking an injury. Gil's stability is something I'm concerned about. Fake the injury but then say you're feeling better would make sense. NOT ADMIT to really wanting Nick to get burn--that's what you do.

Now the plot thickens ...

[Wizardspride]

He's like a child, seriously. You have to treat him with kid gloves.

Raffy, the second part--handle him with kid gloves.

From my perspective, Gil's having a breakdown, perhaps. I am worried about him. He's seriously depressed and IMO needs counseling.

As strange as it sounds,I'm less worried about him now than I was last week.

I'm not thrilled about this (mainly because of the media) but I am pleased that he seems to be slowly coming out of his shell.

[20MexicanosIn1Van]

Check the Gil interview (video's at the bottom of the page) here on Truth About It.

http://www.truthaboutit.net/2010/10/gil ... more-10827

It was great to see Gilbert smiling in that video and it was great to hear him say, "I know they [Wizards fans] love me here".

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Wizardspride, it is better to let stuff out. I edited a bit of my comments. Coming out his shell is fine, but what's going on underneath the shell?

[montestewart]

He's like a child, seriously. You have to treat him with kid gloves.

Raffy, the second part--handle him with kid gloves.

From my perspective, Gil might be having a mental breakdown. I am worried a bit about impulsivity and just a weird vibe he's giving.

At face value, I thought he was just messing with the media and happy but now I see he sat out the home opening preseason game. If there isn't a rational explanation (mad about Hinrich and Wall being captains? ) then I'm not so sure how to feel. Did this for Nick? I don't know ...

The part that REALLY makes no sense is you don't admit to faking an injury. Gil's stability is something I'm concerned about. Fake the injury but then say you're feeling better would make sense. NOT ADMIT to really wanting Nick to get burn--that's what you do.

Now the plot thickens ...

For all I know, he sincerely asked to sit for a sore knee, and it was no big deal, and then he had an audience and made all the rest up. Still doesn't look good (a little disrespectful to the team and coach) but I can never figure him out as far as that stuff goes, and I don't try too hard. As long as no guns are involved, I'm much more focused on his physical health and his play.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just at face value: Nick is worried he's not getting an opportunity. Nick feels like he's not going to play much and his future with the team is over. Maybe Gilbert does say "I'll sit out. It's just preseason. Let Nick have his chance. I am moving on, any way."

I am truly conflcted on this.

ONE THING IS FOR SURE ... never a dull moment with Gilbert.

[Hoopalotta]

Basically, if we take the Flip quote when Flip didn't know about yon prevarication....

I think [Gil doing what's asked of him is] 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

...that's basically laying out that Gil's enhancing Flip's authority and credibility in the eyes of teammates through his approach.

unfortunately, lying to the coach, however minor the circumstances, is really going the other way with it and undermining authority.

In a sense, I wonder if Gil somehow felt compelled to stir up a little something with the media just to 'scratch that itch'.

What it all means just depends on what happens next. Could be the start of Gil having fun again or it could be 'the first incident'. No idea.

[Nivek]

Honestly, I don't think it's worth all this analysis. Gil doesn't think through much of anything before he does it. Certainly not before he says it. He didn't think about consequences when he told Nick he'd fake an injury; consequences didn't occur to him when he told reporters. I work with teens (in addition to raising 3 kids (2 of 'em teens) of my own), and this is pretty much what they do. Am I saying Gil has the emotional maturity of a teenager? Umm, yes.

Here's where I am with Gil. I'm still a fan. I still love the guy. I'll enjoy watching him play. I will not take seriously anything that he says. He doesn't.

[dlts20]

Arenas fined by team


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5681425

[Zonkerbl]

I just remembered "shrines" are for folks like Laron Profit and Michael Ruffin. Should this thread really be a "shrine"? Didn't we use to have an official "Gilbert is God" thread? That would be more appropriate.

[LyricalRico]

Basically, if we take the Flip quote when Flip didn't know about yon prevarication....

I think [Gil doing what's asked of him is] 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

...that's basically laying out that Gil's enhancing Flip's authority and credibility in the eyes of teammates through his approach.

unfortunately, lying to the coach, however minor the circumstances, is really going the other way with it and undermining authority.

In a sense, I wonder if Gil somehow felt compelled to stir up a little something with the media just to 'scratch that itch'.

What it all means just depends on what happens next. Could be the start of Gil having fun again or it could be 'the first incident'. No idea.

Agree 100%. And not only that, but this Jekyl/Hyde act isn't helping. One day he says he's not going to speak to the media. But soon after he talks to them about "moving on". Then he says he lost "all feeling" and is all business, only to follow that up by joking about lying to his coach to get another guy PT (which basically says 'Flip doesn't know what he's doing with the rotation, so I will take it upon myself to force his hand').

This was my fear all along, that no matter how well intentioned Gil is and no matter how much love he gets from the fanbase - he just can't help himself. People use the phrase "he is what he is" when describing a player that's not going to improve on the court. I think the same applies off the court. Maybe Gil simply is what he is - a superior talent whos lack of self control leads to self destruction. (And if that's the case, we need to make sure John Wall isn't within the blast radius.)

Again, as Hoop said, this could just be nothing. And I hope that it is nothing. But it sure doesn't feel like nothing.

[Dat2U]

It's not a huge deal when analyzed on its own, but it unfortunately its a MAJOR deal considering how the media are hovering around him like vulchers and have been for a while. It just gives more fodder for the talking heads on 106.7 and blood suckers like Wilbon & Kornheiser to spew their outrage.

As ridiculous as it sounds, the media already made a huge deal about Gil not smiling or wanting to talk to them. It wasn't Gil's interaction with his teammates or coaches that was in question, it was his interaction with the media (or lack thereof) that seemingly drew folks ire. He wasn't smiling at Michael Lee or Mike Jones enough I guess. What happens now as the national media begins to respond to this?

I know Gil is not a bad guy. I know for the most part he's well intentioned and is much more of a goofball than a thug or problem child. Problem is he's public enemy #1 right now. And everything he does will be over-analyzed & given a negative spin. If Gil goes out and drops 30, someone like Wilbon will say he's taking shots away from others & stunting Wall's growth. If Gil goes out and scores 15 on 10 shots, people will say he's "lost on the court" or he's checked out mentally.

It's incredibly unfair but today's media isn't about reporting the story, its about creating or spinning one. Gil has really done himself no favors here and it makes it harder to stand in his corner as the cries & screams for his head get louder & louder.

Gil would do best if he could learn to shut up, smile and say "no comment". I'm sure he'll be criticized & psychoanalyzed for that as well, but it would be a big step in the right direction.

[pineappleheadindc]

Honestly, I don't think it's worth all this analysis. Gil doesn't think through much of anything before he does it. Certainly not before he says it. He didn't think about consequences when he told Nick he'd fake an injury; consequences didn't occur to him when he told reporters. I work with teens (in addition to raising 3 kids (2 of 'em teens) of my own), and this is pretty much what they do. Am I saying Gil has the emotional maturity of a teenager? Umm, yes.

Here's where I am with Gil. I'm still a fan. I still love the guy. I'll enjoy watching him play. I will not take seriously anything that he says. He doesn't.

I think Kev must have been talking to Flip. Seems as thought Flip's mindset is to treat Arenas as one of his kids:

Saunders said he has already put the situation behind him. "It's just like dealing with your kids, when your kids make mistakes, what you do is you deal with them. It doesn't mean you love them any less. You deal with the mistake and you move on. We've dealt with the issue. The issue is done and we move forward."
Link

[dlts20]

Flip speaks on Gil & other things

http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/originals/

Gil said he screwed up again

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... up-ag.html

[queridiculo]

People still trying to rationalize Arenas.... give it up, the guy is as zany as they come, and it's part of why I like him so much.

Gilbert is meant to be loved, not understood.