Gilbert not on the bench

fifthstop · Post #1 » by **fifthstop** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 4:05 pm

Any information on why Gilbert’s not on the bench? The idea that he needs to be rehabbing at that EXACT moment is risible at best. At a minimum, he could be learning while watching the game.

I thought it was great that he was there pulling for his guys before. What does it say that he’s not there now? Is it related to his media silence?

dobrojim · Post #2 » by **dobrojim** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 5:06 pm

I've been wondering about this as well.

Last night's win aside, I think the team would be well served to
come out and say something about what's going on with Gil,
even if it's only to say he's close, but we are being very conservative
because we have so much invested in his future.

Post #3 » by **LyricalRico** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 5:23 pm

Didn't have have a "Do Not Disturb" sign around his neck at a game he attended recently? Looks like Gilbertology is here to stay. Even if we do go with a no-nonsense coach next year it may be too late to get this guy to grow up . :nonono:

dobrojim · Post #4 » by **dobrojim** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 5:35 pm

double post

JWizmentality · Post #5 » by **JWizmentality** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 6:06 pm

LyricalRico wrote:Didn't have have a "Do Not Disturb" sign around his neck at a game he attended recently? Looks like Gilbertology is here to stay. Even if we do go with a no-nonsense coach next year it may be too late to get this guy to grow up .

Did he really...that's hilarious. What no pics??

newslowsad · Post #6 » by **newslowsad** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 6:31 pm

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcspor ... sturb.html

It goes without saying that Ernie has handled this situation terribly. It is obvious that Gilbert is not coming back this season, just come out and say it.

Brendan was there last night. Man, he's lost some serious weight!

Wizards2Lottery · Post #7 » by **Wizards2Lottery** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 7:24 pm

We as fans deserve to know what is going on with the star player. Just come out and give a definite answer. Either he's coming back or he's not.

I'm getting sick of Ernie's lack of answers regarding this situation.

Dat2U · Post #8 » by **Dat2U** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 7:35 pm

From reading Ivan Carter's blog and a few others, I wonder if there's some differences of opinions on Gil's possible return?

I remember reading the organization was pushing him to return as soon as possible. Gil however appears more hesitant given his previous setbacks & the team's lousy record and would prefer to play summer league & come back at 100% next training camp.

Soup's Uncle · Post #9 » by **Soup's Uncle** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 7:48 pm

I think the FO is keeping him out on purpose for 2 reasons:
1.) To ensure he's absolutely healthy next season.
2.) More Ping Pong Balls

I certainly hope this is why. If not, we are skaaaroood.

GilArenas88 · Post #10 » by **GilArenas88** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 9:16 pm

I've been usually behind EG and Gil, but this whole situation is a bunch of bull. First he supposed to be back early January, the Gil hints to maybe sometime in December, then they say sometime during January, then not even close. This whole situation is putting the whole franchise on pause because until we know what we have in Gil, we don't no anything in terms of direction of the team.

Now granted the organization under EG has usually been hush hush on a lot of things and may just feel they dont really need to say anything until they feel he's ready. But I don't really buy that, I mean us fans deserve some feedback, and to have atleast some idea of whats going on. Frankly IMO we need to get his a$$ out on the court sometime, maybe a week or two after the break. I mean how much can you rehab and injury, wasn't it a minor surgery. It's come to the point were it seems they are scared to play him, which IMO again is stupid. If they have reason to be scared then EG is a tool for resigning him to the contract he did. If he doesn't play this season I'm going to be real ticked off.

With all this said knowing Gilbert he'll say he's not coming back, then surprise us coming back on a nationally televised game. Sigh....I just want to see Gil play again, I was watching some highlight reels the other day, it feels like its been forever since we've seen our boy. Shoot, it feels like he's not even on the team. This has been a tough season between losing, coaching changes, trades, injuries to half the roster. This sucks

Post #11 » by **LyricalRico** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 9:28 pm

Dat2U wrote:I remember reading the organization was pushing him to return as soon as possible. Gil however appears more hesitant given his previous setbacks & the team's lousy record and would prefer to play summer league & come back at 100% next training camp.

I would think that the organization would keep talking about Gil coming back as a way to keep people interested in the team. Also, having Gil return for a few weeks at the end of the year could mean some extra ticket sales. It could also mean him developing some chemistry and helping them see which guys fit best but I think those are secondary concerns, at least to this organization.

Dat2U · Post #12 » by **Dat2U** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 9:34 pm

I honestly think the hestitation about returning is more on Gil than EG and the front office.

Remember when Gil apparently suffered a set back in early January and said he wasn't close, then just days later, Ernie comes out and says Gil is making progress and will be back this season? It seems like EG was sending a message to Gil to keep pushing. Gil wants to come back only at 100% after his previous setbacks, Ernie wants his ass back on the court with the apparent belief that you may not be 100% but you can still play.

I think this goes back to the timetables the Wizards have set in the past in regards to rehabbing from injuries. Ernie always seems to set the most optimistic timetable. Last year, Ernie surprised everyone in the league when he left the door open and said Gil wasn't necessarily done for the year after surgery last December which included the microfracture procedure. Some even wondered what made Gil different from every one else considering the time frame that was being set. (See: http://ww.basketballprospectus.com/arti ... ticleid=56 ) Of course Gil came back too soon and its cost us the '08-'09 season.

Ernie may just have an old school state of mind where he believes playing with pain & injuries is a part of the game. It's bit us in the ass time & time again b/c our guys always seem not to be quite ready to return to action and usually have another setback. But the philosophy seems to be in place, as a Wizard player your expected to come back from injuries as soon as possible.

fifthstop · Post #13 » by **fifthstop** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 9:36 pm

But why's he not on the bench like Haywood and DSteve? That's my Q. Seems he's either being kept away or he's chumping on his mates. In most cases an injured player's still on the team even if they're wearing a suit instead of a uni. His situation is very different from Etan of last year who really needed to be in bed or at least not jumping up and down on the sideline...

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #14 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 9:42 pm

If I were Gil, I'd wait til my knee was 110% this season. Impossible to come back.

Why rush back to a coach that is CERTAIN to play him 40 minutes too soon? This season's over any way.

If he comes back it should be March, around the time Brendan comes back.

The Wizards need to tank. Gil needs to be eased back in. He sees what Jamison and Butler have to go through night in and night out.

Reality is his contract's guaranteed. I think Gil would be WISE to come back later, if at all this season.

Best case would be to get Griffin in the lottery and be 100% by training camp, with young guys like Crittenton ready from day 1 to contribute.

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #15 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 9:43 pm

fifthstop wrote:But why's he not on the bench like Haywood and DSteve? That's my Q. Seems he's either being kept away or he's chumping on his mates. In most cases an injured player's still on the team even if they're wearing a suit instead of a uni. His situation is very different from Etan of last year who really needed to be in bed or at least not jumping up and down on the sideline...

They haven't been hurt most of the last 2 years.

Sitting on the bench has to be driving him crazy and the "fans" might not be kind to Gil, either.

Just speculating.

gowiz999 · Post #16 » by **gowiz999** » Mon Feb 9, 2009 10:21 pm

Gilbert0Arenas wrote:We as fans deserve to know what is going on with the star player. Just come out and give a definite answer. Either he's coming back or he's not.

I'm getting sick of Ernie's lack of answers regarding this situation.

Agreed. At least come out and tell the fans the truth. This is pathetic.

fishercob · Post #17 » by **fishercob** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:05 am

mole hill ---> mountain.

JWizmentality · Post #18 » by **JWizmentality** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:25 am

Oh stop yer whining ya bunch of pansies!!

dobrojim · Post #19 » by **dobrojim** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:29 am

Dat2U wrote:From reading Ivan Carter's blog and a few others, I wonder if there's some differences of opinions on Gil's possible return?

I remember reading the organization was pushing him to return as soon as possible. Gil however appears more hesitant given his previous setbacks & the team's lousy record and would prefer to play summer league & come back at 100% next training camp.

I suspect there may be as well. But I wonder if it's not the reverse,
that he wants to come back, but they're holding him back.

The silence could simply be the proof that, there being a disagreement,
they're not going public with what it is or who is saying what.

He's been playing 2on2 for a month or more. Heck, he could get
re-injured doing that almost as easily as an actual game. Well maybe
not quite that easy.

I'll add that I can understand the argument that maybe it's Gil this
time (who wants to wait) having seen what Amare and DWade went
through. And knowing the playoffs aren't happening. And maybe catching
a few OK games on TV.

One other thing though, in assessing blame, given what was done in Sept,
arthroscopic levage, I don't believe his coming back last year had anything
to do with it. But it was Gil who admitted that he was overly aggressive in
rehabbing from the first knee injury and that is what led to the 2nd surgery.
I have a friend who is an orthopedic. I'll have to ask him what his "professional",
from a Trent Lott perspective, is of Gil's situation.

Kanyewest · Post #20 » by **Kanyewest** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:41 am

Gilbert and EG can't give answers when he'll be 100% because there is no way to know for sure when he will fully recover. It all depends how he's feeling and what the doctors tell him on a day to day basis. There is no point putting forth a deadline since there's no way to for sure when and if Gilbert is ready to return to the basketball court.