Arenas Traded for Rashard Lewis

[AceDegenerate]

"Gil's gun screwup and inability to listen to his doctor's advice screwed this franchise over for three years in a row."

That's a fact. The fact that he didn't say "thanks for nothin, don't let the door hit you on the way out" was classy. I do wish he could have gotten more for Gil than a burning bag of dog poo.

It's a fact that players are responsible for their own well-being as Wizards. FACT.

John Wall sure seems to be taking matters into his own hands regarding his injury.

[507Mack]

Will Gil go back to wearing number 0??

[Wizardspride]

@Zonkerbl No comment.

[Ruzious]

That said, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't depressed. Being at the game last night -- and the way it ended -- adds to it no doubt. But I'm burning mad at Ernie for his comments at the end of the press release. Emailed Ted about it in as calm and respectful fashion as possible.

What did EG say?

From the F EG thread:

Ernie with a parting shot to Gilbert in the press release:

“When we re-signed Gilbert prior to the 2008-09 season, we envisioned a level of team success that we unfortunately were not able to achieve due to injuries and other factors beyond our control,” said Grunfeld. “We appreciate the contributions that he made to this franchise and this city and wish him the best of luck.”

No class. No responsibility for past failures.

F U C K YOU ERNIE!!!!

I'm not an EG fan, but I'm genuinely wondering what you expected him to say?

[Induveca]

The "other factors beyond our control" is pretty pathetic.

The horrible value we received back is purely due to Grunfeld himself devaluing Arenas. People should be burning mad at Grunfeld for this type of vibe. Zero responsibility taken.

Are people on this board really so foolish not to see how Grunfeld completely devalued our biggest asset? Gungate was obviously a huge issue (and Arenas was idiotic for bringing a gun into DC period), but the way it was handled was beyond incompetent. Grunfeld and the leftover Pollin regime completely devalued our biggest trade asset, dragged Arenas through the PR mud, called the cops on him, and Grunfeld essentially held his hand while walking him into a jail cell. Then after all of that, they attempted to void his contract (which IMO was the plan all along).

After none of that worked, and his value was completely gone, the SAME GUY trades him for the worst contract in the NBA? And we're supposed to buy into his "factors beyond our control" BS?

[Kanyewest]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/18/AR2010121803602.html?sid=ST2010121803644


Something about this quote irritates me.

The trade also signaled that the team can truly begin its rebuilding process around No. 1 overall pick John Wall. "There's no question. No one is ever going to ask whose team it is," Coach Flip Saunders said. "It's his team, and so that comes with a responsibility. The critics or people who thought that maybe Gilbert would hinder his development, that's not ever going to be brought up anymore. Hopefully what will happen, too, is he won't ever have to defer to Gilbert, and it will facilitate his learning process."

The timing of the trade was somewhat surprising since it comes nearly two weeks after Wizards owner Ted Leonsis shot down a trade rumor involving Arenas, and about a month after Leonsis said Arenas "isn't going anywhere." But Grunfeld said on Saturday, "Ted was 100 percent on board with this, this goes in line with what he wants to do.

Talks between both sides intensified in recent days, with Arenas telling those close to him that something could soon happen. He told some fans during a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Verizon Center on Tuesday that it was his last game in a Wizards uniform. He actually had just one more.

When Arenas found out about the trade, he was at the home of teammate Nick Young, who is now one of only three Wizards players - along with Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee - who were on the team's roster at this time last year. Young said he was taking a nap when Arenas knocked on his bedroom door. Arenas, who maintains an offseason home in Orlando, told Young, "I'm gone."


"I thought he was going to the store or something," Young said with a laugh. "He was about to get a flight to Orlando. I thought he was playing around. He was all dressed up, bags was packed."

"I thought it could have worked. I think more than anything else, where we look, where we're at not just with John but with our team, the development of our young players," Saunders said. "To be where we really want to be and make a run and make a long run, we're a couple years away, and that's going to put Gilbert at the end. If you're going to rebuild, then you need to rebuild."[/b]

Who cares what the critics say? I guess Flip Saunders actually comes across as believing that Arenas and Wall couldn't share the spotlight. The Wizards really didn't learn anything from the Wall/Arenas experiment, not because Arenas "wasn't sharing the spotlight" but because Wall is just a rookie. Teams began to scout Wall better- "let him shoot wide open 3s" rather than get into the lane at will.

[Russ369]

Will Gil go back to wearing number 0??

#1

[fishercob]

Oh horsesh*t. The classy thing would have been to say NOTHING.

He was saying two things:

1) Gil's a bad guy (referencing the gun incident), so it's good that we're trading him. This is gratuitous and classless. He's already gone, dude. Just wish him well even if you don't mean it. Have a little class.

2) "We've sucked for the past 7 years, but it's not my fault!! It was injuries (that I obviously bear no responsibility for) and the fact that Gil was a sociopath. "

He's the anti_ted, who is all about personal responsibility, humility, transparency, and empathy. It's completely insensitive to what Gilbert has meant to the relatively few fans that have stuck with this pathetic franchise.

During the press conference, he actually had the gall to say "people were picking us to be one of the op teams in the East last year. It wasn't just us." When in reality, some were picking the healthy Wiz to be a 4 or 5 seed, but no one thought they were ready to compete with Cleveland, Boston or Orlando. Who the hell cares what the media thought before last season?!? You're the responsible one, you phuckstick! Take some ownership and responsibility.

[Wizardspride]

Grunfeld and the leftover Pollin regime completely devalued our biggest trade asset, dragged Arenas through the PR mud, called the cops on him, and Grunfeld essentially held his hand while walking him into a jail cell.

And this is what I can't get over.

This situation could have been handled in-house. Once EG found out about it, he should have called Gil and Javaris into his office and bombed them out, told them to remove the guns from the premises and NEVER do this crap again.


Hell, he could have even suspended them a few games and kept the reasons secret.

But no, this dude immediately ran and called the police and not just called the police (but from all reports) seemed downright eager to assist the police in finding evidence (the alleged tape) against Gil.

I don't know why this doesn't bother everyone on this board because what it reflects on EG...and not his GMing ability.

It reflects on his trustworthiness.

So in essence, EG was willing to see Gil go to prison just to erase a perceived mistake (Gil's contract).

[fishercob]

I'm not an EG fan, but I'm genuinely wondering what you expected him to say?

Gilbert, during his tenure as a Wizard, gave our fans some of the most exciting moments that this franchise has seen in a generation. We'll be forever grateful for those memories. The direction of our franchise has changed, and we felt it best for the Wizards and for Gilbert, that we part ways. We wish Gilbert nothing but the best in his future endeavors, and are excited for the Wizards future that we are now building.

What's so hard about that?

[fishercob]

Grunfeld and the leftover Pollin regime completely devalued our biggest trade asset, dragged Arenas through the PR mud, called the cops on him, and Grunfeld essentially held his hand while walking him into a jail cell.

And this is what I can't get over.

This situation could have been handled in-house. Once EG found out about it, he should have called Gil and Javaris into his office and bombed them out, told them to remove the guns from the premises and NEVER do this crap again.


Hell, he could have even suspended them a few games and kept the reasons secret.

But no, this dude immediately ran and called the police and not just called the police (but from all reports) seemed downright eager to assist the police in finding evidence (the alleged tape) against Gil.

I don't know why this doesn't bother everyone on this board because what it reflects on EG...and not his GMing ability.

It reflects on his trustworthiness.

So in essence, EG was willing to see Gil go to prison just to erase a perceived mistake (Gil's contract).

I hated the way the organization handled the gun fallout, but not because of what you say. I don't think the team should have lied to the police or the league. They just should have said "Gilbert has made a huge mistake and he needs to pay the appropriate price. BUT, he's a valued and important part of our team and has our full support making this situation right. " He never got that or close to it, and it made the situation much worse. It became Gil vs. The POllins/EG.

[AceDegenerate]

But no, this dude immediately ran and called the police and not just called the police (but from all reports) seemed downright eager to assist the police in finding evidence (the alleged tape) against Gil.

I don't know why this doesn't bother everyone on this board because what it reflects on EG...and not his GMing ability.

It reflects on his trustworthiness.

So in essence, EG was willing to see Gil go to prison just to erase a perceived mistake (Gil's contract).

This bothers the hell out of me and is clearly the reason all trust was lost between Gilbert and this organization.

[Ruzious]

Oh horsesh*t. The classy thing would have been to say NOTHING.

He was saying two things:

1) Gil's a bad guy (referencing the gun incident), so it's good that we're trading him. This is gratuitous and classless. He's already gone, dude. Just wish him well even if you don't mean it. Have a little class.

2) "We've sucked for the past 7 years, but it's not my fault!! It was injuries (that I obviously bear no responsibility for) and the fact that Gil was a sociopath. "

He's the anti_ted, who is all about personal responsibility, humility, transparency, and empathy. It's completely insensitive to what Gilbert has meant to the relatively few fans that have stuck with this pathetic franchise.

During the press conference, he actually had the gall to say "people were picking us to be one of the op teams in the East last year. It wasn't just us." When in reality, some were picking the healthy Wiz to be a 4 or 5 seed, but no one thought they were ready to compete with Cleveland, Boston or Orlando. Who the hell cares what the media thought before last season?!? You're the responsible one, you phuckstick! Take some ownership and responsibility.

I get number 2 and agree with you - but if he said that, he'd pretty much have to resign.

Number 1 - you're reaching, imo.

[Wizards2Lottery]

Grunfeld and the leftover Pollin regime completely devalued our biggest trade asset, dragged Arenas through the PR mud, called the cops on him, and Grunfeld essentially held his hand while walking him into a jail cell.

And this is what I can't get over.

This situation could have been handled in-house. Once EG found out about it, he should have called Gil and Javaris into his office and bombed them out, told them to remove the guns from the premises and NEVER do this crap again.


Hell, he could have even suspended them a few games and kept the reasons secret.

But no, this dude immediately ran and called the police and not just called the police (but from all reports) seemed downright eager to assist the police in finding evidence (the alleged tape) against Gil.

I don't know why this doesn't bother everyone on this board because what it reflects on EG...and not his GMing ability.

It reflects on his trustworthiness.

So in essence, EG was willing to see Gil go to prison just to erase a perceived mistake (Gil's contract).

I wouldn't be surprised to see that the **** PR disaster of last year has long lastic effects on this franchise. Gilbert has a good reputation around the league. He is close to a lot of players. You don't think he will tell players in the NBA circle the kind of shxt that went on?

This isn't a very desirable NBA market to begin with. As long as Ted keeps EG around, it will be even more undesirable.

[Ruzious]

But no, this dude immediately ran and called the police and not just called the police (but from all reports) seemed downright eager to assist the police in finding evidence (the alleged tape) against Gil.

I don't know why this doesn't bother everyone on this board because what it reflects on EG...and not his GMing ability.

It reflects on his trustworthiness.

So in essence, EG was willing to see Gil go to prison just to erase a perceived mistake (Gil's contract).

This bothers the hell out of me and is clearly the reason all trust was lost between Gilbert and this organization.

But weren't there too many witnesses to cover it up? If it got out, and the Wiz hadn't reported it, wouldn't there have been serious repercussions against the Wiz organization, their GM, and their owner?

[Wizardspride]

You do have a point Ruzious but I doubt Gil sees it that way.

[AceDegenerate]

But no, this dude immediately ran and called the police and not just called the police (but from all reports) seemed downright eager to assist the police in finding evidence (the alleged tape) against Gil.

I don't know why this doesn't bother everyone on this board because what it reflects on EG...and not his GMing ability.

It reflects on his trustworthiness.

So in essence, EG was willing to see Gil go to prison just to erase a perceived mistake (Gil's contract).

This bothers the hell out of me and is clearly the reason all trust was lost between Gilbert and this organization.

But weren't there too many witnesses to cover it up? If it got out, and the Wiz hadn't reported it, wouldn't there have been serious repercussions against the Wiz organization, their GM, and their owner?

This I very much doubt. If it had been any other superstar player, in any other city; it would have been covered up no question about it.

Also, this is ignoring the fact that the so-called "crime" would have been legal in many states in this country and the ruling was even struck down months later in DC. Gilbert was literally a victim of circumstance.

[LyricalRico]

^ Agreed, Ruz. These guys sound like kids on a playground plotting against a "snitch" who told the teacher on them. I'm sorry, but since when is attempting to cover up multiple felonies ever a good idea? Gilbert did something that was against the law. Apparently that's okay but failing to help him cover it up is the real crime? Are you actually listening to yourselves?

[Wizardspride]

Grunfeld and the leftover Pollin regime completely devalued our biggest trade asset, dragged Arenas through the PR mud, called the cops on him, and Grunfeld essentially held his hand while walking him into a jail cell.

And this is what I can't get over.

This situation could have been handled in-house. Once EG found out about it, he should have called Gil and Javaris into his office and bombed them out, told them to remove the guns from the premises and NEVER do this crap again.


Hell, he could have even suspended them a few games and kept the reasons secret.

But no, this dude immediately ran and called the police and not just called the police (but from all reports) seemed downright eager to assist the police in finding evidence (the alleged tape) against Gil.

I don't know why this doesn't bother everyone on this board because what it reflects on EG...and not his GMing ability.

It reflects on his trustworthiness.

So in essence, EG was willing to see Gil go to prison just to erase a perceived mistake (Gil's contract).

I wouldn't be surprised to see that the **** PR disaster of last year has long lastic effects on this franchise. Gilbert has a good reputation around the league. He is close to a lot of players. You don't think he will tell players in the NBA circle the kind of shxt that went on?

This isn't a very desirable NBA market to begin with. As long as Ted keeps EG around, it will be even more undesirable.

I'm quite sure that Gil has/or will make known his feeling about this organization.

In fact, Paul Pierce had some comments about the Wiz organization when all the drama was unfolding.

[Wizardspride]

^ Agreed, Ruz. These guys sound like kids on a playground plotting against a "snitch" who told the teacher on them. I'm sorry, but since when is attempting to cover up multiple felonies ever a good idea? Gilbert did something that was against the law. Apparently that's okay but failing to help him cover it up is the real crime? Are you actually listening to yourselves?

I'm quite aware of what I'm saying.