The NBA has decided to suspend Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas indefinitely.

Commissioner David Stern issued the following statement to the media on Wednesday:

"The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action. Wizards personnel continue to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities, some are scheduled for appearance before the grand jury and the investigation is proceeding with the intensity that one would expect for such a serious incident.

"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

The Wizards supported Stern's decision in a press release.

“We fully endorse the decision of the NBA to indefinitely suspend Gilbert Arenas. Strictly legal issues aside, Gilbert’s recent behavior and statements, including his actions and statements last night in Philadelphia, are unacceptable. Some of our other players appeared to find Gilbert’s behavior in Philadelphia amusing. This is also unacceptable. Under Abe Pollin’s leadership, our organization never tolerated such behavior, and we have no intention of ever doing so.”

dang...it had to be that pregame gun toting thing that did him in.

wizards are leaving him out to dry. i hope they can void the deal.

djsunyc wrote:

The NBA has decided to suspend Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas indefinitely.

Commissioner David Stern issued the following statement to the media on Wednesday:

"The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action. Wizards personnel continue to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities, some are scheduled for appearance before the grand jury and the investigation is proceeding with the intensity that one would expect for such a serious incident.

"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

The Wizards supported Stern's decision in a press release.

“We fully endorse the decision of the NBA to indefinitely suspend Gilbert Arenas. Strictly legal issues aside, Gilbert’s recent behavior and statements, including his actions and statements last night in Philadelphia, are unacceptable. Some of our other players appeared to find Gilbert’s behavior in Philadelphia amusing. This is also unacceptable. Under Abe Pollin’s leadership, our organization never tolerated such behavior, and we have no intention of ever doing so.”

dang...it had to be that pregame gun toting thing that did him in.

wizards are leaving him out to dry. i hope they can void the deal.

even if the wizards didn't have to pay gilbert anymore, don't think you the NBA wouldn't just let his contract come off the books? the wiz were dumb enough to sign him to such a large deal, they should have to deal with all the consequences that come with it.

Gilbert gets to deal with his legal matters and come back fresh next year. This is like getting no jail for time served.

AnubisADL wrote:They are doing Arenas and the Wizards a favor. The season is over for them and they will collect a lottery pick.

Gilbert gets to deal with his legal matters and come back fresh next year. This is like getting no jail for time served.

that's unless the wizards start playing better w/o arenas...caron butler is the happiest mofo on the planet right now...

djsunyc wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:They are doing Arenas and the Wizards a favor. The season is over for them and they will collect a lottery pick.

Gilbert gets to deal with his legal matters and come back fresh next year. This is like getting no jail for time served.

that's unless the wizards start playing better w/o arenas...caron butler is the happiest mofo on the planet right now...

Arenas will likely be traded over the summer because case will likely be settle then. The rest of the Season is 40+ games. No way he gets more than a 40 game suspension. Washington will likely be looking to be players in 2010 free agency.

jimimou wrote:they tried to void sprewell's contract when he choked carlisimo and it was shot down (no pun intended) in arbitration as the player's association went nuts to represent him. while stupid, is what arenas did worse than sprewell actually putting his hands around carlisimo's neck, choked him then threatened to go get a weapon to beat him with. what do you all think?

as for the pregame w arenas shooting down the rest of the team - he said last night during the now famous 'stern is mean' interview w reporters that it was his teamates' idea to add some levity because of all the stress around the team b/c of this issue.

Stern cares about those $$$$ and Gilbert Arenas in the spot light isn't good for the League. Stern talking tough but we know dam well he isn't going to void anything unless Gilbert gets jail time. At the end of the day it is irrelevant when the suspension happens. The only thing that matters now is how long will it last because he was going to get suspended anyway. As I said they did Arenas and the Wiz a favor because Arenas gets out of the public eye and the Wiz save some serious cash. The guy was basically stealing money the last two years anyway.

the wiz' mantra for the past few seasons...

shame

not the best move to joke about that in public so soon.

the guy is a character, in every sense of the word.

TMS wrote:Gilbert shows his teammates the proper way to hold a handgun

This should be made into a "caption this" thread. And my caption is simple: LOSER

AnubisADL wrote:

TMS wrote:Gilbert shows his teammates the proper way to hold a handgun

I thought it was pretty funny. People are way too sensitive. I suppose people want to see him miserable.

nah, i don't wanna see him miserable... i just think he's acting like a moron... not that i give a sh!t about Arenas one way or the other.