NBA teammates pull guns on each other

[roywhite]

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/nba_gunpoint_R52AnT76DRgTSuVKDQ8XBO

From this Peter Vescey column:


Guess they're still the Bullets at heart.

NBA all-star Gilbert Arenas and his Washing ton Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other in the team's locker room during a Christmas Eve dispute over a gambling debt, The Post has learned.

League sources say the pistol-packing point guards had heat ers at the ready inside the Verizon Center, the Washington, DC, home of the Wizards -- whose name was changed from the Bullets over gun- vi olence concerns.

It was the three- time all-star Arenas, 27, who went for his gun first, sources said, draw ing on the 22-year-old Crit tenton, who quickly brandished a firearm as well.

[Wheat/"/"/"]

Not the start to the new year that David Stern was hoping for I bet....oops....probably shouldn't use the word "bet" with Stern either.

There will be some supensions coming...

[doctorhook]

Glad Coach K was not around when Arenas was packing. Just when I though I could not like Arenas any less.

[Sixthman]

If true, these guys should be suspended for life, end of story.

[moonpie23]

too bad it wasnt at the garden against the knicks.....maybe they could join plaxico...

[patentgeek]

I always thought of Arenas as a bit of a gunner . . .

[Deslok]

Come on guys... this is Washington, they'd miss a shot from 5 feet away...(so many bad joke possibilities, so little time)

[oldnavy]

If true, these guys should be suspended for life, end of story.

Yes, and if they do not have the proper permits they should serve jail time as well... This is ridiculous behavior for so called "professionals".

[MChambers]

Come on guys... this is Washington, they'd miss a shot from 5 feet away...(so many bad joke possibilities, so little time)

It's the best defense anyone on the Wizards has displayed in years.

In all seriousness, it's just awful.

[Devilsfan]

What a great half time gig. In keeping with sports intrigue with the past, how about this reto event. Pistols at fifty paces. Does it seem like pro sports is self destructive? Tiger, Ray Lewis, Mike Irving, John Daly, etc.,etc., etc.

[BlueintheFace]

Yah, all that team needs is more shooters.

[Chicago 1995]

This is Peter Vescey we're talking about.

He might have dreamed this after having a bad burrito for dinner. His NBA columns are usually some mix of confusion, fantasy and outright falsehood.

It might well have happened, but I wouldn't really believe it until someone other than Vescey reported it.

[oldnavy]

What a great half time gig. In keeping with sports intrigue with the past, how about this reto event. Pistols at fifty paces. Does it seem like pro sports is self destructive? Tiger, Ray Lewis, Mike Irving, John Daly, etc.,etc., etc.

Well at least one of these guys has changed his ways. Ray Lewis seems to have gotten the message from the trouble he had in Atlanta. He is now mentoring young players and has a very positive involvement in Baltimore working with the police and helping the indigent population there. Some of these stories actually do have good endings... I just wish they got as much coverage as the bad actions, but I know that is a dream that most likely will not come true.

[SupaDave]

Well at least one of these guys has changed his ways. Ray Lewis seems to have gotten the message from the trouble he had in Atlanta. He is now mentoring young players and has a very positive involvement in Baltimore working with the police and helping the indigent population there. Some of these stories actually do have good endings... I just wish they got as much coverage as the bad actions, but I know that is a dream that most likely will not come true.

Unfortunately my friend, there's no news like bad news with big names. Reality TV on steroids.

I can't go into much detail but you guys should know that gambling is a BIG part of basketball. Programs fall to pieces. Wouldn't it only be natural that the players be involved? I don't think it would be hard to think of a few (Teddy Dupay anyone?). And they're not playing with OUR kind of money either. They're gambling with our salaries.

I hate to say it but at this point the NBA may have to invoke it's own gun law (I mean they could have one but it doesn't sound like it's working very well). The number of gun related incidents in the NBA has risen dramatically and I don't care to detail them. (But shouldn't the players be allowed to protect themselves? Yes, yes, I know but usually that shouldn't happen in the locker room. Stand up and fight you big wussy). It's getting ugly - strip clubs, limos, brawls, shoot-outs - and that's just on a good Tuesday night.

The way it is written is certainly humorous but it is definitely a sad state of affairs.

[CameronBornAndBred]

As far as I know, guns are still illegal to possess in D.C., they were when I was in school there. They should be facing charges just for that alone. (If true)

[hurleyfor3]

Whoa. NBA players feel the need to carry guns into their own locker rooms? And you know these aren't the only two.

[DukeSean]

I hate to say it but at this point the NBA may have to invoke it's own gun law

If only the NBA could enforce a stupidity law...but I guess that would eliminate a lot of players huh

[JasonEvans]

First of all, it is not just PV who is reporting this. It (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AkAbhC2TnR1M1L3i4RSexNa8vLYF?slug=ap-wizards-guns&prov=ap&type=lgns) is (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/30/AR2009123002524.html) all (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AllCoF4DCeKtwFwEOrWGR5C8vLYF?slug=aw-arenasprobe123109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) over (http://www.bulletsforever.com/2010/1/1/1229393/gilbert-arenas-and-javaris) the (http://www.mikejonessports.com/2010/01/not-way-for-arenaswizards-to-start-off.html) place (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/nba_gunpoint_R52AnT76DRgTSuVKDQ8XBO).

Second, if you heard an NBA player had pulled a gun on a teammate in a dispute over an unpaid gambling debt, who would be on your list of likely offenders ahead of Gilbert Arenas? Artest would probably be there, but who on the Lakers would he be gambling with? Is there anyone else more likely to be a total screw up lunatic gun-wilding mess than Arenas?

-Jason "Gilbert is just !#%%!~ crazy, right?" Evans

[SupaDave]

First of all, it is not just PV who is reporting this. It (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AkAbhC2TnR1M1L3i4RSexNa8vLYF?slug=ap-wizards-guns&prov=ap&type=lgns) is (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/30/AR2009123002524.html) all (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AllCoF4DCeKtwFwEOrWGR5C8vLYF?slug=aw-arenasprobe123109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) over (http://www.bulletsforever.com/2010/1/1/1229393/gilbert-arenas-and-javaris) the (http://www.mikejonessports.com/2010/01/not-way-for-arenaswizards-to-start-off.html) place (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/nba_gunpoint_R52AnT76DRgTSuVKDQ8XBO).

Second, if you heard an NBA player had pulled a gun on a teammate in a dispute over an unpaid gambling debt, who would be on your list of likely offenders ahead of Gilbert Arenas? Artest would probably be there, but who on the Lakers would he be gambling with? Is there anyone else more likely to be a total screw up lunatic gun-wilding mess than Arenas?

-Jason "Gilbert is just !#%%!~ crazy, right?" Evans

Maybe it's just D.C. b/c Lonnie Baxter scares me a whole lot more than Arenas...

[BlueintheFace]

First of all, it is not just PV who is reporting this. It (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AkAbhC2TnR1M1L3i4RSexNa8vLYF?slug=ap-wizards-guns&prov=ap&type=lgns) is (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/30/AR2009123002524.html) all (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AllCoF4DCeKtwFwEOrWGR5C8vLYF?slug=aw-arenasprobe123109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) over (http://www.bulletsforever.com/2010/1/1/1229393/gilbert-arenas-and-javaris) the (http://www.mikejonessports.com/2010/01/not-way-for-arenaswizards-to-start-off.html) place (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/nba_gunpoint_R52AnT76DRgTSuVKDQ8XBO).

Second, if you heard an NBA player had pulled a gun on a teammate in a dispute over an unpaid gambling debt, who would be on your list of likely offenders ahead of Gilbert Arenas? Artest would probably be there, but who on the Lakers would he be gambling with? Is there anyone else more likely to be a total screw up lunatic gun-wilding mess than Arenas?

-Jason "Gilbert is just !#%%!~ crazy, right?" Evans

I can think of plenty of people. First on that list would be Stephen Jackson.

[wisteria]

Another gun-related incident, ESPN just reported breaking news that four UTenn players were arrested over weapon and drug charges.

[moonpie23]

since we're talking about betting.....i'd bet josh howard is packin....

[sagegrouse]

Whoa. NBA players feel the need to carry guns into their own locker rooms? And you know these aren't the only two.

Lets examine the story. One NBA player pulled a gun on another player in the team locker room. That player reached into his locker and pulled out his own gun. Coincidence? I seriously doubt it.

Could it be that a sizable proportion of NBA players have guns in their lockers? This is an issue the Players Union and the NBA could agree on, because it is harmful to the players.

Lets see some action to clean this mess up, and not just Agent Zero/G. Arenas.

sagegrouse

[moonpie23]

the only thing that would make this story even better would be if they had squeezed off a couple of rounds.....not hit anyone, mind you, just busted a cap in a locker or two...

[rthomas]

The Washington Wizards should go back to being called the Bullets.

[DukeSean]

The Washington Wizards should go back to being called the Bullets.

was waiting for that one :D

[Greg_Newton]

ECU suspends two for Liberty Bowl (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls09/news/story?id=4788897)

I'm sorry, this was too funny not to post. Guess we're already feeling the aftershocks of the gun show...


The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that Paulk and Williams scuffled during the AutoZone Liberty Bowl awards luncheon and nearly flipped over a table while fighting over a dessert. According to the paper, one player had the other in a headlock and was hitting him.

Both East Carolina and Arkansas' players, coaches and administration members were in attendance as well as bowl officials and dignitaries.

[Bluedog]

As far as I know, guns are still illegal to possess in D.C., they were when I was in school there. They should be facing charges just for that alone. (If true)

No more. The US Supreme Court ruled in 2008 (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/26/supremecourt/main4211588.shtml) that DC's gun law ban is unconstitutional in a 5-4 vote. Although I still think a large number of guns in DC are illegal...not sure the details...

[greybeard]

If this is true, I should think that Ernie will use this to get out of the team's onerous agreement with Arenas and that he and the kid will be gone very soon.

[CameronBornAndBred]

No more. The US Supreme Court ruled in 2008 (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/26/supremecourt/main4211588.shtml) that DC's gun law ban is unconstitutional in a 5-4 vote. Although I still think a large number of guns in DC are illegal...not sure the details...
Thanks. As far as a I know the ban was only on handguns. You could walk down the street legally with a shotgun...but chances are you wouldn't have made it very far without being arrested for stupidity.

[devildeac]

Thanks. As far as a I know the ban was only on handguns. You could walk down the street legally with a shotgun...but chances are you wouldn't have made it very far without being arrested for stupidity.

Unfortunately, I don't think there's a law against that.:(

[MChambers]

Unfortunately, I don't think there's a law against that.:(

If there was such a law, almost the entire Wizards team would be illegal.

[oldnavy]

Anyone else take pride in the fact that two of the three african-american players that S.A. Smith mentions as future owners are Duke alums?

"For every foolish act like Plaxico Burress, Ron Artest or Arenas, there’s a Grant Hill, Shane Battier or LeBron James — guys who will be employing Black athletes one day, either in an executive or ownership capacity."


http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Stephen-A-Smith-Arenas-analysis-010310

[Lord Ash]

Nice.

[JBDuke]

Lots of stuff on this in the local media and all over the Internet. First, there are local and federal laws to deal with. Then, apparently the collective bargaining agreement contains a clause that says that players can't have guns in the locker rooms. Then there's the fact that Abe Pollin and his family were so anti-gun they changed the team's name back in the late 90's.

Wilbon had a good column on this issue in yesterday's Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/02/AR2010010201765.html?sub=AR

He basically thinks the Wizards are done, and that the firesale is about to happen. If they can't void his contract, they'll try to trade Arenas somehow. (Good luck.) Wilbon suggests that they ship out Butler and Jamison - Washington's two best players, IMO, and two high-character guys. (Never thought I'd say that about Butler, given his start at UCONN, but he's turned into a decent human being. Jamison is one of those Heels I grudingly respect. Not only is he a pretty decent player (just wish he play better D), but he's a leader in the locker room, and another decent human being.) What a shame if Washington has to blow up this team. But Arenas is poison, and the quicker they find a way to get away from him, the better.

[JasonEvans]

I'd love to see the Hawks deal for Jamison or Butler. Either guy would add nicely to the Hawks and we could send Marvin Williams plus a couple expiring contracts back in exchange. Marvin needs to get out of town. Every time anyone looks at him they cry about this team not having Chris Paul or Deron Williams. Imagine the Hawks with one of those dudes at PG insted of Bibby?!?!

-Jason

[Acymetric]

Gilbert Arenas has been suspended indefinitely (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4802267).

I wouldn't mind if he never got back in. Professional leagues need to adopt zero tolerance polices for gun related incidents, or enforce them if they already do.

[MChambers]

I'd love to see the Hawks deal for Jamison or Butler. Either guy would add nicely to the Hawks and we could send Marvin Williams plus a couple expiring contracts back in exchange. Marvin needs to get out of town. Every time anyone looks at him they cry about this team not having Chris Paul or Deron Williams. Imagine the Hawks with one of those dudes at PG insted of Bibby?!?!

-Jason

Don't need any more UNC guys in DC. No thank you.

[hc5duke]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/2e/fullj.7deeffd8923949d16751a4bef4d973e3/7deeffd8923949d16751a4bef4d973e3-getty-90043039jg002_wizards_sixers.jpg


A day after Arenas was photographed before a game in Philadelphia pointing his index fingers, as if they were guns, at his teammates, Stern warned the former All-Star that his conduct will "ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse." (link (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ArfW0i0PGsN7Qxh5rt__8Ku8vLYF?slug=ap-wizards-arenassuspended&prov=ap&type=lgns))

dumb

[ForeverBlowingBubbles]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/2e/fullj.7deeffd8923949d16751a4bef4d973e3/7deeffd8923949d16751a4bef4d973e3-getty-90043039jg002_wizards_sixers.jpg



dumb

Hmm... seems like Gilbert had a problem with thinking guns were something to joke around with. Seems like NBA players think they are also a very funny joke. Not one of them is looking at Gilbert like... uhh. seriously? Maybe he did say something that was extremely hard not to laugh at, but...

Not going to bode well for the NBA players association when they are trying to appeal on Gilbert's behalf and then Stern uncovers a 48"x36" framed photo on the wall of this beside the negotiation table showing that yes obviously all of the players all need to be sent a message.

[superdave]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/03/AR2008070304161.html

No, I'm not referring to the mafia hit Arenas bought on Crittendon....but his Wizards deal.

6 years, $111 million, signed July 2008. So it looks like he's in the 2nd year of that deal.

I'd void that sucker as soon as my lawyers said we could do it. That would allow the Wiz to either trade Jamison and Butler for draft picks, cap space or some other deal, or use the new-found space to be active this offseason and keep those two guys.

[JBDuke]

This just keeps getting worse. Now, Arenas has apparently told investigators that Crittenton pulled out his own gun and loaded it. Right there in the locker room.

Mike Wise's story in Thursday's Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/06/AR2010010605167.html?hpid=artslot

Arenas is a fool. I don't think he's truly dangerous, and I believe him when he says that putting those guns in Crittenton's locker was meant as a joke. But he doesn't know when to stop, and he thinks that because he's a clown with talent, the league, the team, and the fans will let him slide on just about anything.

Time for your wake up call, Gilbert...

[moonpie23]

and I believe him when he says that putting those guns in Crittenton's locker was meant as a joke.


you've got to be joking.....he was packing.....and not for fun...

4 guns? in your locker? to keep them away from your kids?

please...

ban him from the league...

[OldSchool]

This just keeps getting worse. Now, Arenas has apparently told investigators that Crittenton pulled out his own gun and loaded it. Right there in the locker room.

Mike Wise's story in Thursday's Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/06/AR2010010605167.html?hpid=artslot

Arenas is a fool. I don't think he's truly dangerous, and I believe him when he says that putting those guns in Crittenton's locker was meant as a joke. But he doesn't know when to stop, and he thinks that because he's a clown with talent, the league, the team, and the fans will let him slide on just about anything.

Time for your wake up call, Gilbert...

I wonder when the focus is going to shift from Arenas onto Crittenton.

Storing unloaded guns in your NBA locker, and then putting them on the table to make a point to Crittenton, is pretty dumb.

However, loading a gun and chambering a round and then brandishing it around the locker room is much worse in my view.

I can see Gil getting a misdemeanor with probation and a year-long suspension from the league.

But if what Arenas says is backed up by other witnesses, then I would expect them to try to get Crittenton on a felony charge as well as a permanent ban from the league.

[Double DD]

you've got to be joking.....he was packing.....and not for fun...

4 guns? in your locker? to keep them away from your kids?

please...

ban him from the league...

I believe him when he says was just playing around, since that clearly is his personality and there's plenty of evidence over the years that he thinks his antics are extremely entertaining for everyone. He's also unfortunately proven to be a moron, even prior to this incident, and that he can't delineate between what's appropriate and what's not.

[sagegrouse]

I wonder when the focus is going to shift from Arenas onto Crittenton.

Storing unloaded guns in your NBA locker, and then putting them on the table to make a point to Crittenton, is pretty dumb.

However, loading a gun and chambering a round and then brandishing it around the locker room is much worse in my view.

I can see Gil getting a misdemeanor with probation and a year-long suspension from the league.

But if what Arenas says is backed up by other witnesses, then I would expect them to try to get Crittenton on a felony charge as well as a permanent ban from the league.

What apparently will save Crittendon is that his alleged weapon has not been found. So, while his behavior was ostensibly worse, no one knows if it was a real gun or a toy. WRT to Gilbert, he admitted he had real guns, and I believe the authorities have possession of them.

And, if I were Jarvis, I would only be addressing this subject through lawyers, and I wouldn't say squat to the police or a grand jury.

sagegrouse

[weezie]

Allz I can say is, poor Flip Saunders.

[hc5duke]

http://twitter.com/sportsguy33/status/7459829488


Bill Simmons (sportsguy33) (http://twitter.com/sportsguy33)
If David Stern tweeted: "Hey Gilbert, here's a photo of what happened to the last guy who defied me." http://bit.ly/7FLySA

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/jack_mccallum/04/03/jordan.baseball/michael-jordan-mccallum.jpg

[Jim3k]

From the NYT (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/sports/basketball/26wizards.html)

Now we'll await the NBA's ruling.

The Times also advances the story on what happened that day and what preceded it.

Looks like Crittenton never perceived that the whole thing was a joke. Or was it?