More Wizards drama via Peter Vescey -- Wall Suspension

[fishercob]

Vecsey did not break Gungate. He was the one who wrote a column about it several days after that initiated the national ***storm.

If the team's franchise player was supposedly suspended, how would Vecsey be the ONLY one to know? You wouldn't need inside information for that, every single beat reporter would be aware

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Vescey didn't break gungate? Who did?

Nope he did not, I distinctly remember the timeline of events. CBS Sports or Yahoo broke the report before Vecsey's column

But the initial reports were that "the NBA authorities and DC Police are currently investigating the locker room incident that occurred on.." there weren't any narratives or motives discussed, just word that Arenas and Crittenton had guns in the locker room.

Now it was Vecsey who sensationalized the whole thing and reported that there was an aggressive Mexican-style standoff between Arenas and Crittenton with guns drawns (which is not what actually happened). The national media ran with Vecsey's narrative, and some to this day are still running with it.

Vecsey didn't break any news, rather he embellished a story to draw attention to himself (which isn't exactly out of line w/ his character)

http://thebiglead.com/2016/03/29/the-power-and-polarity-of-peter-vecsey/

Wise and Vecsey would again be at odds over a decade later. On New Year’s Day in 2010, Vecsey broke the story that Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton had guns in the locker room. This was a monumental scoop, and it included a statement from both the Wizards and then-NBAPA Executive Director Billy Hunter, as well as comment from one of Crittenton’s old friends confirming an incident had taken place.

However, some details from the initial story have been disputed. The first report said that “It was … Arenas, 27, who went for his gun first, sources said, drawing on the 22-year-old Crittenton, who quickly brandished a firearm as well.” In a follow-up two days later, Vecsey reported that Arenas laid guns out and told Crittenton to pick one, Crittenton responded he had one of his own, and that “At some point, guns were drawn on each other.”

I'm not disputing that Vescey sensationalized things, but I am pretty sure he broke the story.

[keynote]

On a side note: I'm struggling to think of the last player who transformed his body for the better while in a Wizards uniform. There's usually 1-2 guys in the league per offseason who tell some story ("I cut out candy/become vegan/ran up a mountainside/etc.") and added the proverbial 15 lbs of lean muscle, or shed 15 lbs of flab. But I can't remember the last time one of ours had that story to tell. Can anyone think of the last real fitness success story?

Good question.

We've certainly had a few "gym rats" who are dedicated to getting as strong and fit as they possibly can, guys like Okafor, Gortat, Booker and Arenas. I can't think of anyone who has really improved their physical fitness mindset while on the team. Maybe Martell Webster? We've certainly had more than our fair share of doughy out-of-shape guys like Blatche and Dudley. I was never enamored with Vesely's fitness level either.

Actually, I'm tempted to cite Temple as an example. I haven't read any specific story about his workout regimen, but he started off his tenure as a fairly lead-footed guy who struggled to finish on the break. This year, he's looked borderline explosive at times, and can finish above the rim. He's not Sprewell in his prime, but he must have done something right to upgrade his first step and his ups from "poor" to "average."

[TheSecretWeapon]

Vescey didn't break gungate? Who did?

Nope he did not, I distinctly remember the timeline of events. CBS Sports or Yahoo broke the report before Vecsey's column

But the initial reports were that "the NBA authorities and DC Police are currently investigating the locker room incident that occurred on.." there weren't any narratives or motives discussed, just word that Arenas and Crittenton had guns in the locker room.

Now it was Vecsey who sensationalized the whole thing and reported that there was an aggressive Mexican-style standoff between Arenas and Crittenton with guns drawns (which is not what actually happened). The national media ran with Vecsey's narrative, and some to this day are still running with it.

Vecsey didn't break any news, rather he embellished a story to draw attention to himself (which isn't exactly out of line w/ his character)

http://thebiglead.com/2016/03/29/the-power-and-polarity-of-peter-vecsey/

Wise and Vecsey would again be at odds over a decade later. On New Year’s Day in 2010, Vecsey broke the story that Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton had guns in the locker room. This was a monumental scoop, and it included a statement from both the Wizards and then-NBAPA Executive Director Billy Hunter, as well as comment from one of Crittenton’s old friends confirming an incident had taken place.

However, some details from the initial story have been disputed. The first report said that “It was … Arenas, 27, who went for his gun first, sources said, drawing on the 22-year-old Crittenton, who quickly brandished a firearm as well.” In a follow-up two days later, Vecsey reported that Arenas laid guns out and told Crittenton to pick one, Crittenton responded he had one of his own, and that “At some point, guns were drawn on each other.”

I'm not disputing that Vescey sensationalized things, but I am pretty sure he broke the story.

Vecsey broke the story. Salaciously, with some details wrong, but he had the basic facts and he had them first. I wrote a piece back then for TrueHoop about how bad the Wizards PR strategy was.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Ernie and Ted I believe tried their best to get Gilbert prosecuted. They IMO wanted to void his contract so badly they backed the bus over him publicly, before due process could be played out--AFTER SOMEONE INSIDE THE WIZARDS CALLED IN POLICE in the first place.

They snitched. (No one has ever disproved my assertion). They told him to bring back the guns (clearly not in Arenas' best interests if avoiding prosecution was a goal). They devalued their asset by rebuking him very publicly, immediately --unlike the Grizzlies with Zach Randolph, who IMO made Gilbert look like a choirboy. Memphis downplayed their bad news. Just as Pollin did with cash cow MJ, Leonsis dissed cash cow Arenas.

I'm just glad the Wizards had to pay Gilbert/Rashard Lewis off.

I figured out back then all Arenas did was get a (turns out to be very bad) guy off him. There was no need to get high moral and mighty the way the Wizards PR people did.

It showed THEIR lack of character.

[Wizardspride]

Ernie and Ted tried their best to get Gilbert prosecuted. They wanted to void his contract so badly they backed the bus over him publicly, before due process could be played out--AFTER SOMEONE INSIDE THE WIZARDS CALLED IN POLICE in the first place.

They snitched. (No one has ever disproved my assertion). They devalued their asset by rebuking him immediately --unlike the Grizzlies with Zach Randolph, who IMO made Gilbert look like a choirboy. Memphis downplayed their bad news. Just as Pollin did with cash cow MJ, Leonsis dissed cash cow Arenas.

I'm just glad the Wizards had to pay Gilbert/Rashard Lewis off.

I figured out back then all Arenas did was get a (turns out to be very bad) guy off him. There was no need to get high moral and mighty the way the Wizards PR people did.

It showed THEIR lack of character.

[Ruzious]

Vescey is a turd.

He went from being the best NBA writer in the nation to a joke around the time that the Internet became popular. It's a shame. He basically made stuff up - time after time. Apparently, he's still a pathetic joke.

[stevemcqueen1]

Vescey is a turd.

He went from being the best NBA writer in the nation to a joke around the time that the Internet became popular. It's a shame. He basically made stuff up - time after time. Apparently, he's still a pathetic joke.

I read his wikipedia page yesterday. Made me cringe. I'm pretty sure he wrote it himself.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Vecsey_(sports_columnist)

[sfam]

In other news, the sky is blue.

Honestly, nothing surprises me with this team. This front office has fostered a dysfunctional, toxic atmosphere for over a decade.

I find it funny that Wall cursing out a **** coach is cause for internal discussions on Wall's leadership, but those same idiots who are having those internal discussions never look in the mirror and question their own leadership and judgement.

I'm kind of OK with this. Wall cursing out Wittman isn't the worse thing to happen, especially after the year we've had. Opening up the closet and letting the dirty laundry get some air is pretty appropriate about now.

[CobraCommander]

Rarely a good look for a team's "best" player to cuss out coaches AND teammates. It's a pretty selfish thing to do -- effectively blaming others for a team failure.

The beat guys will dig up more details. I'll be interested to see them.

Hmmmm is this the NBA where this essentially happens every day. Draymond Greene (this year), Lebron, Kobe, Jordan, Pippen, and others have argued with their coaches. We are not talking about Spree-like neck grabbing but straight up verbal conflict. It happens and people move on. only someone that doesn't understand pressure, stress and competition think that two passionate men failing wouldn't be at each other's throat. If they were NOT upset about failing that would be a bigger problem.

I would take an angry Wall over a jovial Dwight Howard.

Lebron, Kobe, Curry, D.Greene,Westbrook, etc....all want to win bad and honestly I hope Wall turns into an angry Wall that works on his game all summer and fights to be a better player like Curry did last summer.

[TheSecretWeapon]

Rarely a good look for a team's "best" player to cuss out coaches AND teammates. It's a pretty selfish thing to do -- effectively blaming others for a team failure.

The beat guys will dig up more details. I'll be interested to see them.

Hmmmm is this the NBA where this essentially happens every day. Draymond Greene (this year), Lebron, Kobe, Jordan, Pippen, and others have argued with their coaches. We are not talking about Spree-like neck grabbing but straight up verbal conflict. It happens and people move on. only someone that doesn't understand pressure, stress and competition think that two passionate men failing wouldn't be at each other's throat. If they were NOT upset about failing that would be a bigger problem.

I would take an angry Wall over a jovial Dwight Howard.

Lebron, Kobe, Curry, D.Greene,Westbrook, etc....all want to win bad and honestly I hope Wall turns into an angry Wall that works on his game all summer and fights to be a better player like Curry did last summer.

Sure, it happens. When/where/why matter. At least it was behind closed doors, so that's good. Arguing with a coach over tactics or role or usage: I don't have much problem with that. Good work environments are collaborative, and collaboration doesn't always involve agreeing with each other on everything. The ability to disagree, argue about it, and then come back together to make progress is a sign of strength.

Cussing out coach AND teammates at the end of a disappointing season indicates blaming behavior, and that ain't good. That's something that CAN build resentments and undermine trust. We don't know content and full context, of course, so it may have been a good and healthy thing for the team. But I wouldn't assume it's a good thing.

[stevemcqueen1]

1.) The claims in the report were denied by everyone who would have been there--they were called absolutely false.
2.) The claimed behavior would have been completely out of character for Wall.
3.) Peter Vescey is a turd. He wrote a sketchy hit piece denigrating Wall's leadership and character.

We can put this nonsense to bed.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm considered a huge Wall critic. Cussing out teammates doesn't sound like Wall. I doubt that happened.

What I do think could easily have happened is that a teammate could have criticized Wall and been cussed out. Wall didn't exactly turn in peak performances in key moments. There's a critical remark based on pure speculation.

Hater me. Oops...

But I don't think Wall has the big head.

[CobraCommander]

Rarely a good look for a team's "best" player to cuss out coaches AND teammates. It's a pretty selfish thing to do -- effectively blaming others for a team failure.

The beat guys will dig up more details. I'll be interested to see them.

Hmmmm is this the NBA where this essentially happens every day. Draymond Greene (this year), Lebron, Kobe, Jordan, Pippen, and others have argued with their coaches. We are not talking about Spree-like neck grabbing but straight up verbal conflict. It happens and people move on. only someone that doesn't understand pressure, stress and competition think that two passionate men failing wouldn't be at each other's throat. If they were NOT upset about failing that would be a bigger problem.

I would take an angry Wall over a jovial Dwight Howard.

Lebron, Kobe, Curry, D.Greene,Westbrook, etc....all want to win bad and honestly I hope Wall turns into an angry Wall that works on his game all summer and fights to be a better player like Curry did last summer.

Sure, it happens. When/where/why matter. At least it was behind closed doors, so that's good. Arguing with a coach over tactics or role or usage: I don't have much problem with that. Good work environments are collaborative, and collaboration doesn't always involve agreeing with each other on everything. The ability to disagree, argue about it, and then come back together to make progress is a sign of strength.

Cussing out coach AND teammates at the end of a disappointing season indicates blaming behavior, and that ain't good. That's something that CAN build resentments and undermine trust. We don't know content and full context, of course, so it may have been a good and healthy thing for the team. But I wouldn't assume it's a good thing.

Then I'm not a leader (and I command cobra?!?!) because if I was Wall this would have happened a long time ago. You surround him with guys that can't start or shouldn't start any where else in the league...fine...you can work with that. But then you give him a coach that isn't maximizing the talent...that would drive me crazy. You can't have both, inferior talent AND no scheme and expect someone not to blow up. We all wanted Wittman gone- from a distance. How do you think Wall felt having to live with Wittman day in and day out. I don't absolve Wall from fault...but as Chris Rock said... I UNDERSTAND.

one other thing...25 year olds rarely have maturity and/or decorum...and if they do its not consistent. Even the best of us when we are 25 do things large and small that we wouldn't do when we were 30. My opinion, we expect too much out of 25-30 year old men who have trained their whole life to play sports when it comes to leadership. If Wall would have went to Westpoint or went to some extensive leadership training I would give you that. But when I hear him talk, he sounds like a country boy who lost his dad (twice) to tough situations, raised by the woman in his family, that was good at ball, that supposedly had anger issues (like his dad) and that everyone thanks god that he isn't "Allen Iverson". Because WALL COULD BE ALLEN IVERSON. Our boy Colin Coward kinda couched his views on Wall that way.

Look to sum it up- with everything I have read everywhere else- something happened. What happened was ugly but it was no different than any other superstar player at 25 getting on his teammates and coaches for not living up to expectations. There is video of Kobe, Lebron and Jordan doing EXACTLY the same thing and people tout their "passion" but Vescey is saying people are questioning Walls leadership. If the wiz are questioning Walls leadership - I wonder who this "Wizard' is...if it's Erine and the late Wittman...fine. I doubt it's Ted because Ovie is a 3 time MVP (possible 4 if he gets what he deserves this year...it better not be Kane) and his leadership and dedication has never been questioned and O has had ERAs of distraction - Os party era- Os Russian model Era- Os Russian tennis bombshell era- Os I'm more Russian than you Era- Os I don't only score era- Os I'm more of an all around player than Sid Era (he stopped being a dominate scorer)...but no one questioned his leadership on the caps.

So please tell me the intelligent people on the board are not expecting Wall to be a "leader" at all times even off the floor like Patton or Obama or Churchill or CobraCommander just because he the point guard and best player. If they suspend him it better because we plan on trading him or what he did turns out to be violent on menancing . Like he Dunked on Beal- Hung on the rim and wrapped his legs around Beal's head and held Beal there. SUSPEND HIM IF THAT HAPPENS...but not for showing anger in losing

we gotta overcome fam! We can't suck like this and be subjected to these BS reports...