Gil's antics thread

[hands11]

I don't watch sports for personalities. I just want to watch my team win.

Nobody watches sports for personalities, but I want to cheer for good and likable guys. For example, even though Lebron is the best player on the planet, I would not want him on the Wizards because I could not bring myself to cheer for such an unlikable guy.

Agreed. And if he would just play and not whine and if he would shut his mouth, he would be bearable to watch on the court.

[AceDegenerate]

I hope the fans breathe some life back into Gil, as an unhappy Gilbert is bad news for everyone and the guy sounds like he needs some support.

ETA: Gil really needs to get back to playing the hero, which he does well. Miscast as the villain, the story becomes sad and awkward. IMO our hero arrived wearing a crown so Gil won't be able to play the role here. The dream scenario would be something like he's traded to Portland, Oden is healthy and gets into form, and Portland takes down Miami in the championship. The media would even crown him Artest Part II.

And the Wizards watch from the sidelines, Losers once again. It sure would fit the script of business as usual around here.

[Wizardspride]

I hope the fans breathe some life back into Gil, as an unhappy Gilbert is bad news for everyone and the guy sounds like he needs some support.

ETA: Gil really needs to get back to playing the hero, which he does well. Miscast as the villain, the story becomes sad and awkward. IMO our hero arrived wearing a crown so Gil won't be able to play the role here. The dream scenario would be something like he's traded to Portland, Oden is healthy and gets into form, and Portland takes down Miami in the championship. The media would even crown him Artest Part II.

Screw Portland. My dream scenario is that Gil repairs his relationship with the organization and in the not-too-distant future leads the WIZARDS/BULLETS to a championship.

[hands11]

I hope the fans breathe some life back into Gil, as an unhappy Gilbert is bad news for everyone and the guy sounds like he needs some support.

ETA: Gil really needs to get back to playing the hero, which he does well. Miscast as the villain, the story becomes sad and awkward. IMO our hero arrived wearing a crown so Gil won't be able to play the role here. The dream scenario would be something like he's traded to Portland, Oden is healthy and gets into form, and Portland takes down Miami in the championship. The media would even crown him Artest Part II.

Screw Portland. My dream scenario is that Gil repairs his relationship with the organization and in the not-too-distant future leads the WIZARDS/BULLETS to a championship.

I guess that is what some of us are watching for. Can Gil grow into a person who you think has the mental toughness to handle that level or will he do something messed up on or off the court to undermine the team effort. It is a legit question and it has everything to do with why some worry more about him mentally than others.

Winning at that level takes a steady mind and a decisions both slow and quick. Those games are won as much mentally as they are physically.

[Illuminaire]

Screw Portland. My dream scenario is that Gil repairs his relationship with the organization and in the not-too-distant future leads the WIZARDS/BULLETS to a championship.

Haha yes! The best case scenario is the Wall/Arenas become the most unstoppable combo-guard pairing in league history, so that when Dwight Howard joins us in two years we become a dynasty through 2017. =p

[willbcocks]

Screw Portland. My dream scenario is that Gil repairs his relationship with the organization and in the not-too-distant future leads the WIZARDS/BULLETS to a championship.

Haha yes! The best case scenario is the Wall/Arenas become the most unstoppable combo-guard pairing in league history, so that when Dwight Howard joins us in two years we become a dynasty through 2017. =p

Of course the Wiz getting the cup would be the best case scenario, but it's not happening with Gil on the team. Too unlikely even for the dream scenario. So unlikely, in fact, that my dream scenario requires a healthy Greg Oden and I consider that a much more reasonable assumption.

Also Gil' going to need a walker by 2017.

[Induveca]

I have a hard enough time keeping up with the NBA in Europe.....you can do it so definitively in Japan? Will, your opinion is one thing but stating it so emphatically without any basis is foolish.....especially considering you live in Tokyo.

Live games, media and lots of em are the only thing that give you the type of insight you're claiming. And as you and I both know League Pass International doesn't do that. Arenas is our best player, give the man some respect and act like you base your opinions off of more than CNNSI news and box scores.

If we all did that in the 90s Rodman would have been kicked off the Bulls, Barkley the Suns, Ewing the Knicks..

[hands11]

The Oden idea is very interesting for sure. I'm just not there yet. First things first.

We have to see what we have so we can either max their trade value or keep them.

Everything is up in the air.

I think most expect Wall to be a core starting piece. After that, most of us have questions. We may have our favorites lead dogs but nothing is for sure. Gil ? Dray ? McGee ?

That is why they call it rebuilding.

Lots of these players would end up being roll players. What we need to do it find the core starters along the way. Should be fun watching them but it could still be another 3-4 years before we get where we want to get.

But first things first, lets see what we have.

[willbcocks]

I have a hard enough time keeping up with the NBA in Europe.....you can do it so definitively in Japan? Will, your opinion is one thing but stating it so emphatically without any basis is foolish.....especially considering you live in Tokyo.

Live games, media and lots of em are the only thing that give you the type of insight you're claiming. And as you and I both know League Pass International doesn't do that. Arenas is our best player, give the man some respect and act like you base your opinions off of more than CNNSI news and box scores.

If we all did that in the 90s Rodman would have been kicked off the Bulls, Barkley the Suns, Ewing the Knicks..

Give me a break, I base my opinions off Yahoo! box scores, not CNNSI.

It's annoying that LP International hasn't broadcast the preseason games, but at least I got to see the summer league ones...

[closg00]

Gilbert Arenas sat out of practice on Sunday after developing some soreness in right ankle. Coach Flip Saunders said Arenas started to feel some discomfort on Friday in the same ankle that sidelined him through the final two days of practice in training camp.

Using this thread to track GIl's health, didn't want to start another thread, please merge if there is a thread for this.

[AceDegenerate]

So, how is it exactly Gilbert was fined for a "fake injury" and yet he has been injured for just about every other game/practice possible aside from the one that was deemed to be "fake". I think it's ludicrous how this team has treated Gilbert (re: injuries) when we all know the medical staff/training staff is partially responsible for his current state.

[Illuminaire]

So we shouldn't punish players for lying to their coach, training staff, and organization about their health?

[AceDegenerate]

The guy's mistake was NOT lying to the Coach/Training Staff/Organization. Who knows exactly what he said to Flip besides him and Flip. If Gil literally said his leg is not feeling good and Flip went with it, and NO DR. or TRAINER EXAMINED him then WHO IS TO SAY HE WAS LYING?

If a player says he is injured, what sense does it make to take him at his word? Even in High School Basketball if I told my Coach I was injured, I was sent to the training room to be examined; it was simply not up to me. Doesn't make any sense for Flip to take him at his word and he is never examined by the Training Staff. If a player falls on the court during a game what happens? Does the player decide he is done for the day? No, he is examined by the Trainer and they decide if he is fit to play or not.

Gilbert's ONLY real mistake was talking to the media about it. His punishment is funny considering the reality that he was probably already injured in someway or another; enough to sit out the game as he has done consistently since then.

The Wizards and their dealings with their players is still like a Mom/Pop organization around here.

[dobrojim]

^ my memory ain't what it used to be but I thought
it was Gil himself who admitted to the media that
he lied about not feeling well enough to play.


on the surface, I think most would agree that that
is not a 'good thing'.

tending to be occasionally conspiratorial, I wonder
if the 'zards are trying to keep Gil's actually outstanding
prospects for a banner year under wraps for the time being
so as to take teams off-guard. Of course that won't last long.
There are no real secrets in the NBA.

[Ruzious]

The guy's mistake was NOT lying to the Coach/Training Staff/Organization. Who knows exactly what he said to Flip besides him and Flip. If Gil literally said his leg is not feeling good and Flip went with it, and NO DR. or TRAINER EXAMINED him then WHO IS TO SAY HE WAS LYING?

If a player says he is injured, what sense does it make to take him at his word? Even in High School Basketball if I told my Coach I was injured, I was sent to the training room to be examined; it was simply not up to me. Doesn't make any sense for Flip to take him at his word and he is never examined by the Training Staff. If a player falls on the court during a game what happens? Does the player decide he is done for the day? No, he is examined by the Trainer and they decide if he is fit to play or not.

Gilbert's ONLY real mistake was talking to the media about it. His punishment is funny considering the reality that he was probably already injured in someway or another; enough to sit out the game as he has done consistently since then.

The Wizards and their dealings with their players is still like a Mom/Pop organization around here.

That belongs in the HOF thread - for the fact that you've convinced people that you actually buy into such an absurd rationalization. Ionescu would applaud.

[AceDegenerate]

Facts:

- Gilbert told Flip his knee didn't feel good.
- Flip decides to not play Gilbert.
- Gilbert then tells the Media he faked his injury so Nick could play.
- Gilbert is fined by the team $50,000 for faking his injury.
- GILBERT WAS NEVER CHECKED BY THE MEDICAL STAFF.

I don't see how any of it is absurd.

[Illuminaire]

Except that Arenas told us directly that he lied. Your story almost makes sense up until the point where the only way Gilbert didn't lie, is if he lied.

[montestewart]

Who knows exactly what he said to Flip besides him and Flip.

Hmm...I wonder who besides those two could possibly know?

Facts:

- Gilbert told Flip his knee didn't feel good.

KZ, my fly on the wall (no pun intended) for all things Wizards.

[closg00]

Facts:

- Gilbert told Flip his knee didn't feel good.
- Flip decides to not play Gilbert.
- Gilbert then tells the Media he faked his injury so Nick could play.
- Gilbert is fined by the team $50,000 for faking his injury.
- GILBERT WAS NEVER CHECKED BY THE MEDICAL STAFF.

I don't see how any of it is absurd.

This is actually a very plausible Gilbertology scenario, his knee was/is actually bothering him but he played the part of hero to the media. He still lied.

[Induveca]

It's all irrelevant right now. Season is about to start, and I hate the media spin on sports "personalities" in this age.

I like Arenas as a player (one of my all time hoops favs) and enjoyed the pre-knee injury era where he was dominant, but my limits to defending him have to do with:

1. Don't sell low on the guy in terms of a trade. Hopefully he's kicking enough a$$ with Wall/Blatche where we are getting some serious wins, and management/no one here wants to do it regardless. If management decides to do it anyways at that point, at least we get real value in return. But hopefully he sticks around for years to come and plays well. I'm too big a fan of his game to hope for less.

In terms of defending this sort of personality stuff I don't. This is where it becomes a soap opera and quite frankly I'm sick of NBA soap operas and fans treating the players like women treat the Kardashians or Bravo show types. We don't know the guy that well, and quite frankly I don't want to.......

I want to see him drain some threes and get my team some wins.