Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 2, 2010 at 6:11 PM

WASHINGTON — Gilbert Arenas says he’d have “no problem” playing for the Washington Wizards again.

In his first interview since pleading guilty to a felony gun charge in January, Arenas also tells The Associated Press he’s not nervous about his sentencing date later this month — as long as the judge goes off the “real story” of what happened when he brought guns to the team’s locker room in December.

Arenas spoke Tuesday while helping distribute used fur coats to needy people at an appearance on behalf of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Arenas said he was happy to help PETA because he has “a lot of free time” on his hands. He’s been suspended until the end of the season by the NBA.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4959915

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 2, 2010 at 6:28 PM

Gilbert drama – can’t live with it; can’t live without it.

I don’t know – I am trying to forgive him. I know he’s not the sole responsible party for this season with so much promise but has turned into a waste and a complete dismantling of the forefathers that made the Wizards relevant. But, he did hurt himself (one of the bigger sports stars in DC), Crittenton, and everyone on the team because they had to spend time testifying instead of focusing on basketball for about a month.

In reality, he’s still under contract and I don’t think Grunfeld or whoever in charge is going to pursue voiding his contract. Gil can still play and for better or worse, let’s just use him since that’s what the team is entitled to do.

Arenas, (Foye?), Thornton, Blatche, and (McGee?) would work as a potent starting 5 next season. I’d said potent, not a lock for playoffs.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 2, 2010 at 6:36 PM

A triple BAM.

Last week, I posted Robert Pollin’s statement (which was also revealed on Wizards.com). 2 minutes ago, I received an equally long statement and a video message from Flip Saunders.

I’m going to refrain from posting what Flip said because we’ve heard about 90% of it already.

I know a couple bloggers here that are season ticket holders. I believe all of us, no matter how much we express our opinions here, are beyond die-hard for this team. It is my personal theory that if you like NBA basketball, you’ll renew. Wins for the home team are great but for me, the game is greater.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2010 at 6:59 PM

And on that note, I’m not really concerned about what Gil says or does off the court, I’m only paying attention to what’s happening on the court, and right now he’s not on the court….Let’s see NY do something to bring longevity to his wizard tenure

Comment from dlts20
Time March 2, 2010 at 8:13 PM

I wrote this on another board so I will just post it on here:

I disagree with people thinking Gil is worried about money or knows that he cant be traded. I think Gil likes the fact that we made these trades and it can be soley his team now. I dont think he wanted Caron anymore and I think he likes the way Blatche is playing way more than what he saw from AJ. He also knows that we have cap room to maybe add a stud and we will get a solid pick. This team has way better chemistry so why not come back to this team?

On top of that, I think he is one of those guys who has alot of pride and he doesnt want to run out on this team with an unfinished job. He doesnt want to ride someone elses coat tails to a title. He probably thinks its his team now and we can win. Again, dont take it out of context. I dont think he plans on gunning at all. I think he will play team ball and will try to make it work. Im not 100% sure he loves Flip’s system from a scoring standpoint of a PG but I think he will try to tell Flip to give him a few EJ plays each game and everything will be fine

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 2, 2010 at 8:28 PM

I couldn’t say it any better @ dlts20 – I agree with your above post 150%!

Here’s the REAL reason why Shaq is out till Playoffs

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/shaq_misses_entire_second_half

And, if you like politics (who doesn’t in DC) and NBA basketball, here’s a good article too

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/senator_dikembe_mutombo_blocks

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2010 at 8:41 PM

LOL…I was advised once upon a time that it’s impossible for anyone to give more than 100% of themselves, So I agree with that “thought” 150% also…..Whew,….LOL….

Comment from ChenierFan
Time March 2, 2010 at 9:18 PM

I read the posts wher one of the bloggers is giving credit to Jamison for Andray’s development. On the contrary, I always felt that Jamison was holding Andray back. How, by the disparaging remarks about Andray to the press (“he just doesn’t bring it every night”) The way Jamison would not pass him the ball or get him involved in the offense. NBA stars, like divas, are very territorial. No way Jamison would let Andray step ahead of him.

I believe Flip has had the greatest impact on Andray. Since this summer when he took a personnel interest and made Andray believe that “he has what it takes” and that he is capable of coming through when it counts. Every young man needs to hear those messages from their fathers or a father-figure to show them the way.

Kwame Brown could have used those words and I think he would have had a solid NBA career. As it was, Jordan needlessly humiliated him and destroyed his confidence and he never progressed. I remember when Jordan used to make a big show of replacing Brown for rebounding position during free throws. Brown, would slink away humiliated. There was a time when Jamison used to do the same to Andray early in his career. Luckily, a strong voice like Flip has come along in the nick of time.

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 2, 2010 at 9:37 PM

Gil is still my man and I hope he can return as soon as possible. He needs to be more apologetic Blatche is shooting and rebounding extremely well. His game has not changed much but his minutes has. More chances equal more production for him. He is surprising me with his play even though his lows are still there but less noticeable with the minutes he gets. I get him. Developing into a very good player based on his game. Jamison has nothing to do with his development as a player other than his minutes on the court. By the way if Flip had just changed Jamison or Butler in the starting lineup things could have been better.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2010 at 9:56 PM

Okay we give flip credit, however flip was only playing him almost 20 minutes a night and letting AJ and Caron get almost 40 a night? How does that equate to helping him be what he is now?

So if that’s the case, Flip didn’t determine who played each night?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2010 at 10:58 PM

Wow!! the spurs waived their sr citizen (Finley)

How in the world did the fans pick Boston vs Detroit as the game of the night??????

DMac is getting burn vs OKC, but he’s checking Durant….lol….that’s how he’s going to get his donuts in the NBA (on D), so he better over-achieve.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2010 at 11:27 PM

Hilarious,

The ref called a foul on the OKC Player, the player asked what he did and the ref physically did to the player what he did…LOL….

Etan Thomas never gets any time (OKC). He gets paid to be a fan and get entertained each night…lol…

Lakers next…wooohooo love NBATV

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 3, 2010 at 12:21 AM

The most surprising thing about the Wizards since the trade to me is their ability to score without Jamison and CB. Would love to see Livingston out there…how about picking up L Hughs?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 3, 2010 at 12:32 AM

Why would we want Larry Hughes? He’s often injured? Why would we want any player that we had before (except brendan)? Let the past go, it’s time to move forward with NEW blood in the family. Out of all the players in the NBA, why bring anything back? I must admit, Blake would have been a good pickup for the rest of the season, but I would like to see Livingston get some meaningful minutes, since he’s here, not two here and two there. While we are looking for a good starting five, we will need quality back-ups also.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 3, 2010 at 3:13 AM

i am glad it all worked out like it did… i have not had fun watching games like this for a long time… its not about the guys who we lost it about the guys who we now have and they have steped up big time… most teams like this fold this team is something for just keeping up beat and doing work on the floor and just leaving it out there.. right now this team is looking good after this season we will add some players but right now you want to know what you have and how and who can make you better

Comment from datonypony
Time March 3, 2010 at 3:16 AM

I DONT WANT ANY EX WIZ ON THIS TEAM!

THAT MEANS YOU HUGHES.

Comment from datonypony
Time March 3, 2010 at 3:16 AM

I really pity Kwame, I reckon he could have been a beast

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2010 at 10:13 AM

No no no… Kwame wasn’t going to be a beast! He has great size, sure, but his hands are small and he doesn’t rebound or feel confident w/ the ball in his hands.

It’s *always* a risk to pick a guy out of high school.

This stuff about Antawn holding AB back drives me a little crazy. Exactly why did Andray have to let anyone hold him back? If you want to give him credit for making himself better now, then you also have to give him the responsibility for what he did in the past.

Antawn was and is a terrific player and a wonderful person. He is also a truth teller.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2010 at 10:17 AM

Gilbert Arenas is an entertaining basketball player and an entertaining person too. He is capable of playing at a high level, and he is certainly a potent scorer. I should say he “has been” those things. Can he get back to the level he played at? I don’t know and neither do you. He wasn’t playing at that level this season, although there were flashes.

A deeper problem is that even given the above, Gilbert was never a guy who could carry a team. He isn’t win-productive the way true superstars are. Giving him almost a max contract was a mistake from the POV of his effect on the team’s record. But he certainly used to fill the house; so… can he do that again?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 3, 2010 at 10:24 AM

I agree with Tom about Kwame, Kwame has had ample time to resurrect his career. He was under Phil Jackson, and Phil finds the “beast” in anyone that plays for him, if they have it in them.

As far as Antawn, I agree with Tom also in regards to terrific player, wonderful Person and truth teller(i will say political speaker instead of truth teller)…lol…but he does throw players that are a threat to him under the bus….he was only in Cleveland for three days and said JJ Hickson “doesn’t bring it every night” and “i was never that open in Washington”, and “the bench needs to step up(while he’s jacking up 25-30 shots and playing 35-40 minutes)”…

But he’s gone now, THANK GOODNESS

Comment from neal
Time March 3, 2010 at 10:51 AM

I agree dlts20, I think Arenas was trying more than CB or AJ to play team ball at the beginning of the year and I expect him to try to play team ball when he comes back. I think he’s much more complex than just being about Agent 0. We’ll have to see whether he can change his spots enough to fit in well with this group.

I think we can agree with Tom, however, that Arenas’s contract was a big mistake.

I don’t think AJ helped Blatche. On the other hand, he didn’t hinder him other than being critical, as he can be of his teammates when things don’t go right. He was fun to watch, but I think he was part of the reason for the poor chemistry of the guys that left.