Around The Net From the Washington Post… “Washi…
Around The Net
From the Washington Post…
“Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas is frustrated about not being on the U.S. national team playing in the FIBA World Championship and said he believes he was not given a fair tryout.
When Arenas left the squad on Aug. 14, national team managing director Jerry Colangelo said it was because Arenas had an injured groin. But in his first comments since then, Arenas, the Wizards’ leading scorer and a two-time all-star, said he didn’t think he was going to make the 12-man roster and that the injury became an excuse to part ways.
‘They already knew what they wanted. They said it was a tryout, but they already had their team selected,’ he said after playing in a Goodman Summer League game at Barry Farms Park in Southeast Washington on Tuesday night and showing no signs of the injury.
Arenas emphasized that he hopes to remain part of the national program and play in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.”
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Thoughts and comments?
Posted: August 31st, 2006 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Anonymous
Time August 31, 2006 at 10:06 AM
i knew it and called it!
“It almost seems like they gave all the players a chance to use an excuse for being cut.” _ from previous post on this board.
like i mentioned before, it seemed really strange that gilbert, one of the, if not the, most estatic players wanting to play for the USA team, suddenly got injured and wanted to leave.
i still hope team USA win, but overall, it should be arenas over there and not antawn. even if he’s just a bench warmer like bosh.
Comment from Wiz034
Time August 31, 2006 at 10:11 AM
I feel for Gilbert. I really wanted him to to be on this year’s team. But I didn’t like the fact that he had to sacrifice his game to do it. He’s right when he said, Lebron, Carmelo, and Dwayne were allowed to be themselves but he wasn’t . I do agree with him when he said they knew who they wanted on the team from the beginning and the groin injury was just an excuse to let him go. That’s Gilbert always honest. I’m looking forward to when the team playing Portland and Phoenix. Go ahead GIL score a 100 on them..
Comment from Anonymous
Time August 31, 2006 at 12:14 PM
Everybody pay attention,for these are the things that create greatness. For all the up and coming sports stars,and stars of everyday life. The key to success isn’t talent,or potential…it’s how you respond in moments of adversity,and trial.Do those encounters propel you to action,or do they defeat you. I believe Gilbert has a fire lit under him from this experience.And may he torch all comers with strong individual,and team play this season. I hope this experience really p’s him off,and I’m sure it will motivate him. As a Wizards fan I love all of this because like so many other things in Gil’s basketball career,he constructively uses such events for fuelfor the fire. Just like M.Jordan.. If Gil is wise he’ll make all of the proper sacrifices and preparations to expound upon the boundless talent,and potential he holds.I believe he can be one of the greats if he so wishes.
Comment from Anonymous
Time August 31, 2006 at 2:28 PM
Hey Gil, man put it behind you and hopefully you can participate in the Olympics. This will make you fresh for the upcoming season. It was great to see you playing ball with the fellas in the hood. I am sure it meant a lot to them. That’s what I like about you. You are alright in my book man and as far as I am concerned, you are right up there with the “Greats” in the league right now.
Comment from Anonymous
Time August 31, 2006 at 5:12 PM
Gil Arenas reminds me so much of a bigger and stronger Allen Iverson. An unstoppable scorer that doesn’t make his teammates any better. If he continues on this path he’ll be just like Iverson….Ringless.
Comment from Anonymous
Time August 31, 2006 at 6:57 PM
I’m a heavy rooter for Gil but I’m tired of constantly hearing him complain about how he’s not as the same level as Wade, LeBron, and Melo. Hey Gil, here’s a news flash… YOU ARE! You’re one the elite players in the NBA, in the whole world. Stop putting yourself down and realize that your just as good if not better than those other guys. You might not have made it this time but you’ll get yours. Just please dont become a diva like Iverson.
Comment from Wiz034
Time August 31, 2006 at 9:35 PM
Gil Arenas reminds me so much of a bigger and stronger Allen Iverson. An unstoppable scorer that doesn’t make his teammates any better. If he continues on this path he’ll be just like Iverson….Ringless.
Yeah. You wish…Two different men. Two different situations..Gil will one day soon be a Champion..
Comment from Mille Mill
Time September 1, 2006 at 9:13 AM
I knew this would happen. I hope that the Wizards use this as fuel to really burn Seattle, Phoenix, James, Wade, and the entire Eastern Conference. The whole team is going to have to pull together to slap them in there face. Just like the first time the Lakers and the Heat played after the Kobe and Shaq thing. Shaq fouled out and Wade told Shaq that “we are going to win this one for youâ€. Sorry to say but Gil will never get the respect he deserves while playing for the Wizards. If he was playing for a big city team like New York, Phil, Los Angeles or Chicago he would be on TV more. His style of play would have been enough to get the media attention and more fans. Playing for the Wizards he would have to win a championship to be taken serious. The entire road to the championship he and the Wizards will have to fight some real BS calls, like they did last season in the playoffs against Cleveland.
It may be un-American but I am not upset that USA lost. Because instead of making an all around team. They have done what the said they were not going to do, and that is making James and Wade the focal points on the team. I don’t think they intended to make Melo that third person but he has been out shining James and Wade the entire time.
Comment from Anonymous
Time September 3, 2006 at 10:17 AM
Hey everyone check out Gilbert’s new shoes on http://www.adidas.com (Gil Zero)
Comment from Simon
Time September 4, 2006 at 10:32 PM
a small comment on the ‘gilbert-iverson’ comment. Let’s look at the facts: Larry hughes had his career best season next to gil. he thought he could do it by himself where is he now. Antawns numbers are better than they have ever been next to gil. caron butler wrapped up his career best season next to gil. even AD his one of his best seasons next to gil. to say he doesnt make his team mates any better, is to wear an ‘i’m with stupid’ -shirt with the arrow pointing up
Comment from Anonymous
Time September 5, 2006 at 8:00 AM
Simon, I agree with you 100%. The person who made that comment does not know what they are talking about. Gilbert does make his team mates and the Wizards better. It is now time for the rest of the team to stand up and play their worth ie; (Haywood,Etan)and make Gilbert better! Stop complaining and play to win. The Wiz beat pretty much all of the tough teams last year except Miami, so they are quite capable of playing much better then they did last year. They just need to be more consistent and play life their life depended on it.
Comment from Anonymous
Time September 5, 2006 at 2:14 PM
nice! thanks for the heads up on the Gilbert’s New Adidas! now i have to go pick up a pair.
btw, i don’t think gilbert is anyway like allen iverson. not because i’m a wizards fan (because i’m a celtics fan first), but iverson doesn’t believe in practice and blending into a system. he’s stated that his entire career. “practice? practice?”, and so forth.
while gilbert only wants what’s best for the team. he’s willing to take paycuts, blending in, etc. and he’s stated that too, for the wizards and for the olympic team.
i like the way the grunfeld is building the team. sorta like the suns. we just don’t have an amare. oh well.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 5, 2006 at 7:03 PM
I don’t know what Mr. Anonymous means in calling Gilbert Arenas a bigger, stronger Allen Iverson, and then criticizing him for that! Iverson is a tremendous player, and it’s a compliment not a critique to be compared to him!
That said, it’s true that your guards don’t usually win you championships. The Wizards are quite a good team right now, but we’re not yet a championship-level team. But… we’ll get there!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 5, 2006 at 7:06 PM
The US team has too many shooters, too many guys that need the ball, and too few real rebounders and defenders.
In that sense, when Gilbert made the point that he’d go to the team and do the role-player things, he was on the right track. I don’t know, had he been there, whether they would have won the gold, but I don’t think the team as it is will win the Olympics either.
If you think about it, wouldn’t most NBA teams - lets say the Wizards, or the Cavaliers or the Heat - win the world championship? Don’t you think the Heat, for example, would have beaten the Greek team? Maybe these all star teams aren’t the right way to compete on the global stage?
What do you think?
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time September 5, 2006 at 9:04 PM
Tom - I think this group of players will figure it out by 2008. I think they were closer to “figuring it out” in this tournament than people give them credit for. Obviously, three-point shooting and defense is something they’ll need to add/work on.
As for sending the NBA champion, the league would probably prefer to send this group of players, but practically speaking,the added wear-and-tear on the defending champ wouldn’t make it a viable alternative.
Comment from AUNDRA2044
Time September 13, 2006 at 10:55 PM
28 years and a wake up thats how long I have been waiting for the pain to ease.It was a great year for my Washington Bullets in 1978 because we won the Championship. Finally Coach Motta’s famous quote “It Aint Over Until The Fat Lady Sings”was realized.How long will the pain continue?What will you tell your kids in 28 years and a wake up. Will you rejoice with laughter and tell them mission was finally accomplished and sit back and enjoy the rest of your life. Or will you
wish about the loss opportunities!
Comment from Anonymous
Time September 15, 2006 at 2:03 AM
Arenas doesnt defend and Coach K likes good defenders. Dont be upset, be motivated to work on your defense.
Comment from AUNDRA2044
Time September 15, 2006 at 4:07 PM
Marc Stein of ESPN gave my Wizards no respect again because he rated us 9th in the Eastern Conference.
Thats way behind Miami,Chicago,Indiana,Cleveland,Milwaukee,
Toronto,Boston and Orlando. What a may to say we have some huge haters out there!What is wrong is our Bigs and our Defense Marc Stein proclaimed!
I feel we should atleast be #2 or #3 but not #9th.This stinks and I smell some rats out there!Lets prove these haters wrong for the last time and live up to our potential Bigs and play some consistent and tenacious
DEFENSE FOR THE WIN!!
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Comment from Anonymous
Time August 31, 2006 at 9:49 AM
I believe what Arenas says. From the beginning the USA Team has been basically all about Lebron,Melo and Wade. That is all you hear and it is unfortunate and unfair that they are allowed to play to their strengths and Arenas wasn’t. I still believe that he could have made a major contribution if he was given the opportunity. Remember when Reddick was let go, he made statements similar to Arenas. All I can say to Arenas is, DO YOU! Don’t worry about what no else thinks! Just play YOUR game. Your time to shine is coming. Have faith, continue to keep your great attitude and this year, just come out of the starting gates with both guns blazing. And if you are going to be an “Assasin”, then remember the characteristics of one. An Assasin takes out it’s opponent and shows no mercy to it’s victims. No more chit chatting and laughing it up with the opponents. You can be friends later, but NOT on the court. Do as they do and GO for yours! You are my man and I love watching you play. I can’t wait until the season starts!