The Gilbert Arenas Appreciation Thread

[Ruzious]

Time heals wounds - as long as you stop putting your foot in your mouth. I think that by the beginning of next season, bygones will have become bygones on all sides that matter, and Gil will be Gil - only refreshed, smarter, and hopefully happier to represent the Wiz. Yeah, most of us are upset at Gil, but we'll still love him.

[20MexicanosIn1Van]

I appreciate what Arenas did as a sports star and the memories of the 50 point games, game winners, and phenomenal swag will always be with me. But, how is management supposed to support Arenas and then go on and void his contract? Voiding Gilbert's contract is the best thing this team can do. Bar none.

Ruzious, you think us fans should wait another year for Gilbert after already waiting 2 from injury? Only to be a sub-par .500 team again?

To me it's simple. Cutting ties with Arenas and building for the future is way better then waiting it out and being a fringe play-off team at best for 4 more years.

Gil is the man and I support him; but I support the team more. Name on the front not on the back.

[montestewart]

I appreciate what Arenas did as a sports star and the memories of the 50 point games, game winners, and phenomenal swag will always be with me. But, how is management supposed to support Arenas and void his contract? Voiding Gilbert's contract is the best thing this team can do. Bar none.

Arenas is a team member until he's not, and he's been one of the best in team history. As a business decision, voiding his contract might be the right thing long term, or it might not be; hard to see the future). Whether the Wizards can void it is pretty unclear at this time, and they shouldn't get too far ahead of themselves in that area. They should just focus on team communications and the incidents themselves, and on things they actually can do to make the team better now and in the future, because those issues are clear and right in front of them.

I'm not going to ignore the (perhaps remote) possibility of voiding the contract, but I choose not to focus on it at this point, and I don't think the team should discuss it in public, regardless of their private thoughts.

[Ruzious]

I appreciate what Arenas did as a sports star and the memories of the 50 point games, game winners, and phenomenal swag will always be with me. But, how is management supposed to support Arenas and then go on and void his contract? Voiding Gilbert's contract is the best thing this team can do. Bar none.

Ruzious, you think us fans should wait another year for Gilbert after already waiting 2 from injury? Only to be a sub-par .500 team again?

To me it's simple. Cutting ties with Arenas and building for the future is way better then waiting it out and being a fringe play-off team at best for 4 more years.

Gil is the man and I support him; but I support the team more. Name on the front not on the back.

I don't think it'll be reasonably possible to cut ties with him. Unless he gets convicted of a serious felony, I can't see his contracted getting cancelled, and I think there's basically no chance of a reasonable trade. Hopefully, his mind will be in the right place.

[Wizards2Lottery]

That is all I have to say.

[RhythMic-]

This guy not only brought smiles on our faces by what he did on-court, but also what he's done for the city of D.C. throughout all his time here. This was the guy that bought necessities for the homeless and personally drove the items to the homeless shelter. This was the guy that donated a $100 for every point he scored to public schools. This was the guy that adopted that child whose parents died in a house fire. This was the guy that actually gives you time to talk to him when you see him at the mall. This was the guy that in his own words "try to give back to the fans by giving them my jerseys after games. I wouldn't be where I am without them." This was the guy that gave back life to this Wizards org. after the whole MJ fiasco. The shot in Game 5. The "phenomenally swagged" game winners. The 60 point and 54 point barrages against the Lakers and the Suns in a span of 3-4 days. His colorful persona that was refreshing to see in a league filled with talking robots. His personality brought him fans and haters. Haters who always seem to portray him as an egotistical schmuck, when they fail to realize that, that's not how he really is.

I haven't been a longtime Bullets/Wizards fan like most of you guys here (Probably because I'm younger than most of you ), and I'm just saying this for myself, but the Gilbert Era's probably the best Era of Basketball for the Wizards org, (apart from the Champion Bullets in '78) and I would HATE to see it end like this. The character assassination by the media is disgusting. It's really sad, how they would do this to the one guy that was always open to them and never talked to the media as if he had a script. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve being punished, that bringing guns in the locker room wasn't a big deal, or his actions on the pregame huddle were harmless, but it's kind of sickening how it seems like the Wizards WANTS to get rid of the guy.


I rarely post but I read and lurk here all the time and it's sickening how a lot of the fans here just wants the guy out of here ASAP. I hope he stays as a Wizard. He was probably close, but was never a Kobe or an LBJ type of player but, the way I see it, even if we do rid ourselves of his contract, it would be a challenge to get another player of his caliber here. Kind of makes me feel wierd how his time here, and all the enjoyment he's brought to us fans was decided by a flip of a coin. :|

[bulletproof_32]

Maybe I WILL wear my Gil jersey tonight. I wasn't
going to, but perhaps I should.

Yes, Please do.

Both Jim and I wore our Gil jerseys tonight.

I don't have the time/ patience to write all I think on this situation but wanted to chime in on this thread nonetheless to continue showing my support for him.

I love Gil. He's my favorite all time Wiz player. I don't condone what he did but I don't like the treatment he's getting from the NBA/ organization/ fans, either.

I'll continue to support him and I thank him for making this a relevant franchise again and for all the enjoyment, and more important entertainment, he's provided over the years.

Keep your head up, Gil. You've still got plenty of support around these parts.

[lupin]

I support Gil, too. I hate dogpiles (except on the football field).

[dobrojim]

I add this hear in addition to the Gil suspended thread -

the Wizards are complete hypocrites when they talk about
being respected and bringing families to games after they
awarded the Dance Cam prize last night to a VERY young
boy for his crotch grabbing and pelvic thrusts. If I was this
kids parents, I would be very worried about him and try
to get counseling for him. Seriously, a kid that age has
no business being that sexualized. Not that I'm a prude.

I really wish they had played my full remarks on NBC4
last night. Gil did not shoot, assault or rape anyone.
But you'd never know that by the public and team
reaction.

[doclinkin]

I support Gil, too. I hate dogpiles (except on the football field).

And pet stores. And furry conventions.

[montestewart]

I add this hear in addition to the Gil suspended thread -

the Wizards are complete hypocrites when they talk about
being respected and bringing families to games after they
awarded the Dance Cam prize last night to a VERY young
boy for his crotch grabbing and pelvic thrusts. If I was this
kids parents, I would be very worried about him and try
to get counseling for him. Seriously, a kid that age has
no business being that sexualized. Not that I'm a prude.

I really wish they had played my full remarks on NBC4
last night. Gil did not shoot, assault or rape anyone.
But you'd never know that by the public and team
reaction.

Arenas showed poor judgment twice, and the timing was horrible and it was broadcast (in some version or another) all over the world. I didn't see your remarks on TV, but I agree with the sentiments you state. The entire thing is like a an tragicomic stage piece.

I rarely watch the dances (fool that I am, I'm always thinking I can tell something about the game by watching body language at the benches during timeouts) but sometimes they're amusing. Last night on the big screen, I did catch a glimpse of one girl pulling her shirt up, which was cut immediately. She looked pretty young in that split second (maybe 12ish) and may just have been mimicking boys doing the same thing. It's interesting living in a society that is reserved/conformist/prudish and at the same time ostentatious and highly sexualized. Sometimes it feels like The Emperor's New Cloths everywhere I look.

[BigA]

Thanks for this thread. I'll always be a Gil fan.

[AceDegenerate]

Buzzer Beater VS. Bulls in '05
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcajwfVHTYI

35FT Shot VS. Cavs in '06
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOBdik__FgI

Arenas Game Winners in '06
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKrcLWSvNrA

Arenas Scores 60 VS. Lakers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm2XO28YRYU

[Joe_Wiz]

Look, Arenas has shown signs of dubious thought processing from the beginning of his career as a Wizard -- his explanation of why he chose the Wizards made no sense. And his early rehab efforts looked more like he was following a "Rocky" movie script than a professional's advice.

But the guy is good-hearted, fun-loving, hard-working, very talented, and extremely fun to watch.

I don't mind that people have criticized him. He screwed up. But the vitriol and character assassination that he's been subjected to have been disgusting.

I am saddened by the possibility that Gil might not play for the Wizards again.

[Zerocious]

lebitch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79u0fDuS ... re=related

and again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlAXdzuQ ... re=related

gilbert shooting practice. worth watching 3 mins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOGNWTvLvgE


Love Ya Gil. keep your head up. i'll keep wearing 0!