The Official Gilbert Arenas Shrine

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

.
I can't stand it anymore.

I can't stand haters, the glass-half-empty crew, the ignorant "get your opinion from ESPNers", the bandwaggoners, the guys who'll expect a break in their lives when they screw up but will cut others no such consideration.

I stand before you today in appreciation of Gilbert Arenas. First, I stipulate the following:

-- It's dumb to bring guns to your workplace.
-- Gilbert has a big contract (which was based not on him holding a gun to anyone's head, but based on his on-the-court performance).
-- Gilbert -- and every other NBA player out there -- live a completely different life than I do.


Okay, that being said:

-- Gilbert has paid his price. He went through the legal system and has served his time - to my understanding as a model individual. Legally, his debt to society is paid, it's the way our system works. And if it's good enough for our legal system, it's good enough for me.

-- Think about all of the good things he's done in our community. He's been accessible, charitable, and an outstanding member of our community.

-- He put the Wizards on the map again. For those of you with short memories, I remind you of a team including Anthony Goldwire, Tyrone Nesby, Ike Austin, Chris Whitney (I liked him, though), and Laron Profit. No other player in recent history - except MJ during his comeback - did more to put our franchise on the map and infuse the then MCI Center with a sense of excitement.

-- We all were, both around town and in this virtual space, the community of "hibachi!" Of Agent Zero. Of the Steve Buckhantz "DAGGER!" as you gaze onto the court and see Gil, right arm raised in the sky and wrist cocked post-jump shot, looking as if that 35 footer was a free throw.

I believe in redemption. I believe in second chances. I am an unabashed fan of Gilbert.

A few years ago, I talked to Gilbert's dad over the phone - I' wanted to interview him, but he called me while I was driving in traffic and I couldn't pull over to take notes. Anyway, Gil's dad talked about his son's drive and determination. And as I recall, he also talked about the web and how there were people who just didn't know what they were talking about posting all kinds of tripe.

Gil, if you or your peeps read this, I hope you take all of negativity and put it into that place that only you know - the one that will drive you to make your comeback truly successful. And then, you can look at all of the negativity, the blogger, the whoever and you'll know who has won.

Gilbert Arenas is my guy. I'm a fan. Period.

Pine

HOF post.

[fishercob]

Here is how I see it.

The media is the media. They follow. They don't lead. And they blow things out of proportion both to high and to low. Hey, they were all on the EJ ride when we were winning. He was the best coach ever. I don't here that anymore. It the media. They are an echo chamber. No truth seekers. They create drama. They see that as their business.

Once Gil gets it going, they will be all about that also. This is why it is best to not go on their ride as a fan or as a player. I think that is what Gil is trying to work out. He is just trying to keep it level this time. When they say there is no hope. There is. When they say things are great, just keep it ok. When they say it sucks, you say we will rebound. That is how you deal with the media.

I try to just look at what I can see as the facts.

With Gil, I didn't go on the Hibatchi or Agent Zero ride. I worried where it looked to me like the blogging, prediction, big three things would lead. I worried because I wanted the best Wizards team and the best Gil teammate and that is what i still want.

So as a fan of the Wizards, I like the possibilities of this team as constructed and with Gil returning. As I posted in another thread, Wall may be the face, but Dray and Gil still need to be core to what makes this thing move. They can be and they should be. They should still be stars here.

They only thing I see that has changed is Gil doesn't need to try to do it all every game. He can still go off for 30-35 pts some games. But if he gets 12-15 and we win, no biggy. So thats that and there is less pressure to be the media darling. When your are not the face of the team, you have more leeway. The media is only all over this because it is a story. Thats to be expected. Once be start to shin it will still be a story. Once he does it over time, it won't be such a story.

Look, everyone doesn't have to be a LaVar. There are lots of talented pro players who get normal attention and are still big names. They don't live for or in the media. Brain O is a star in DC but I don't see him all over the media. Next step up is like a Cooley. He is in the media but he doesn't seem to get to caught up in it. This town loves Cooley. It can be done.

I believe Gil will have great games. As for the 25pts a night. Save it for the playoffs Gil. That is when this team is going to need to lean on him and Dray more.

Not a shrine-worthy post, IMO.

Well done, Pine! Great to have you back. I have Gil's back, and plan on bringing some loud and proud TV-worthy signage to that effect the opener.

[JWizmentality]

This may be Wall's team, but D.C belongs to Gil!!

[Nivek]

Great post, pine. I agree. Gil remains among my favorite players EVER. He made being a Wizards fan fun again. Those back-to-back 60 & 54 point nights against the Lakers and the Suns. The game winners, the buzzer-beaters. That shot over Hinrich and Chandler to beat the Bulls. Closing out Chicago AT home (I watched that game from the nose-bleed press box with JRo). The guy was awesome.

Nothing he could've done about the injuries. Just bad luck that Gerald Wallace wrecked his knee and that he hasn't gotten it quite right again.

Honestly, I think there was an overreaction to the guns in the locker room thing. It needed to be taken seriously, but it didn't need to turn into a cultural hot button issue. (I think the Wizards inert PR response contributed -- they let Peter Vescey define the story, which was a HUGE mistake. I know that Ted would have handled things differently if he'd owned the team at that time. But I digress.)

Even so -- enough's enough. Gil paid a steep price and it's time to get off his back and give him the chance to get back to playing ball. Hopefully, he can be something like the guy he used to be. Because that guy was one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the game. (It'd be nice if he could add some defense too.)

[Cap Centre]

Slow clap for Pine

[hands11]

Sucks we couldn't watching the Crab Cracking but Glen is saying lots of good stuff about Gil.

Says his legs look strong.
Got into his shot really well.
Played with good timing.

I get the sense Gil is approving this really well.
He is not forcing anything.
Picking his spots.
Kind of gliding right now.
He seems to be pacing himself and getting his feel for the game back.

It's only pre-season, so that is a good plan.

[ReggieSlater]

I've always been an Arenas fan too and I don't even like the Wizards. People have the wrong opinion of the guy and it frankly get's on my nerves. They view him as a thug and a cancer when he's just a jokester. His blog last year on NBA.com was on of the few instightful sports blogs out there. For me, that might be the biggest downside to his whole locker room dustup, that NBA.com pulled his blog.

I've always been a fan of his. I always root for the wizards a bit just for him. I always draft him in my fantasy leagues as a low value gamble (which I will be doing again this year). I'm glad not all Wizard fans have turned on him.

[leswizards]

I know it is only preseason, but Gil isn't shooting the ball and is not getting to the free throw line. For a player whose greatest strength is offensive efficiency, it worries me. Regardless, Gil has been a net positive while on the court. So, maybe my concerns are of a good nature in that he has even greater room to grow once he starts shooting more, and getting to the free throw line more often.

[Nivek]

Arenas had already decided to stop doing the blog well before the gun incident. But I agree -- it was disappointing when the media turned on him and he began reducing access. It was fun for awhile because Arenas actually seemed to understand how fun it being an NBA player could be. Playing ball, being a star, interacting with the fans and the media -- these things weren't chores to him. He enjoyed them. That's part of what made watching him so much fun. I hope he gets some part of that joy back.

[queridiculo]

This is a place of worship, please keep all your non-worthy posts in the 80+ page Arenas for Carter thread.

G4G4EVER!

[DallasShalDune]

I never stopped supporting Gil. When they fined him and when he went to court, I wore my ugly gold jersey--number 0 stitched right on.

Great post pine, and great thread. I'm excited for what 2010 will bring.

[Brenice]

The "world" is full of punks. Wilbon is one. I don't remember an athlete "stoned to death" before like Gil. The media represents the "world". I have grown to think that if your views align themselves with the world, you'd better do some self-reflection.

Gil has done so much good around here but it don't matter. There has not been a better wizard/bullet since...the 70's. If not for his injury, he would have been the greatest bullet/wizard.

Then a joke turns him into a laughingstock. The "world" is jumping on him more than Lawrence Taylor and the other junkies, Dennis Rodman and his flakiness, Pac-Man Jones making it rain and all his drama, Ben Rothlesberger (or however you spell his name) and his forcing himself on women, and the list goes on and on.

Gil plays a joke and "lets stone him to death". Then they turn around and say he looks "suicidal" and unhappy. Then they say "if Gil kills himself, it was his fault".

No, Wilbon/Media/and everybody else who represents "THE WORLD", it would have been YOUR fault. IT WAS A JOKE!!! As said in court by a judge.

Where is the LOVE?

WE LOVE YOU GIL! BE STRONG!

[20MexicanosIn1Van]

I hope Gilbert is a Wizard until retirement and will be the aggressive scoring threat we all know he can be. Hopefully we win it all one day with Gilbert on the roster and contributing significantly.

[Zonkerbl]

Name me a big time professional athlete who loved to talk to the media who did not get chewed up and spit out by it at the end? Can you believe there are people who hate ochocinco?

Scandal sells, man. You can only ride the bull for so long before you get the horns. Never, ever, ever have an interesting personality as a professional athlete. Ever. Boring is beautiful.

[GhostsOfGil]

HOF post pine. gil has always been my favorite player. gil is still the main man in dc, wall is just the new face. i get the feeling from gil that he feels like the fans have left him. I HOPE HE READS THIS AND REALIZES HE STILL HAS DEDICATED FANS THAT ARE STILL WITH HIM 100%

[dangermouse]

Ive already planned to get a 2nd Gil jersey with his new #9 when the new uniforms/team name are finalized, before I get a 2nd Wall Jersey in the new style.

Hes a very likeable character and id like to meet the man some day but that will probably never happen. Nevertheless, an inspiration in my life to try and do great things.

[KiNgSbOi]

Anyone know where I can get those throwback Bullets jerseys of Wall or Arenas?

[Wizardspride]

Anyone know where I can get those throwback Bullets jerseys of Wall or Arenas?

I don't think you can.

EDIT: Here's an Arenas Bullets jersey on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/GILBERT-ARENAS-WASH ... 0598329355

[KiNgSbOi]

That one is a fake. But thanks anyways.

[Scabs304]

Wow I'm amazed by the support in this thread. As much as I've read through this board as of late I would of thought I would seen alot of STFU pine posts and GTH pine posts. I'll always be a fan of Arenas although not to thrilled about his most recent interview. I hope he makes people eat crow and lives up to his contract. Out of the top 10 worst contracts in the NBA Arenas has the biggest possibility of turning it around in an article I read recently. I believe this is the case.