The Official Washington Wizards Thread

[No Excuses]

I see it as him trying to be a mentor and a leader. Young had 24 points, so I can't say that I'm mad at Gilbert.

Yup, Flip had praising words for him:

“You know one thing I think everyone has to understand some … Gil, in the two years I’ve been here, has been the easiest guy I’ve had to coach. Okay? So people say, ‘Gil, Gil…’ He is receptive and he will do whatever I ask him to do from a coaching standpoint. And I’ve said that from day one,” exclaimed Saunders.

“So whatever role I give him … I think it’s more the opposite where he’ll defer more than he will try to do too much, especially with the group that we have,” the coach continued. “So I think if I ask him to score, he’ll score. If I ask him to set people up, I think he’ll try to do that. And he did that last year and he’s continued to do that through training camp this year. I think that’s one of the reasons that our younger players have been so committed to what we’re trying to do because how he’s gone about his approach to doing things too.”

I don't think a coach who hasn't been shy of trashing his own team would praise someone like that without good reason. Doesn't seem like praise for you know a "poisonous player" or someone suffering from a "mental illness".

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Booker had 8 pts and 4 rbs a game in the summer league. Did anyone really expect him to come in and take a starting spot? He's a backup that will eat 6-12 minutes a game. That's all. I thought he showed alot of hustle and energy.

+1

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wiz...wed-up-ag.html

After scoring 24 points in the win, Young said that Arenas sacrificed on his behalf in order for Young to play. When asked to clarify, Arenas said, "Yeah, I told him I'd sacrifice playing tonight so he'd get some time. Because I know he's kind of frustrated not getting a chance to crack the three position, especially since we're going three guards. So I told him I'd fake an injury or say something's wrong with me, so he can start."

That didn't sit well with the Wizards or Saunders, who said Arenas told him at the morning shootaround that he was sore and couldn't play. Saunders said he addressed the situation in meetings with Arenas and the team. "I told him, I most disappointed personally, because I believe in you. There has been a trust factor. I told him, 'You have to be honest with me,' " Saunders said. "In my conversation with both him and in front of the team, was when you guys indicate to me that you're in a situation that you can't play, I can't judge when someone is hurt or not hurt. Only you can tell us that. When you indicate and say that to me, that's what I go by."

Arenas apologized for not being forthcoming with Saunders, but said he was only trying to help a teammate get more playing time. "I was trying to be a good teammate. Nick wanted to play, and since we are guard-loaded, I felt I'd take the day off, and I lied to coach and told him my knee was sore so he could start Nick," Arenas said. "Obviously, no one's taken it well. I was just trying to help out Nick, get some playing time under his belt because he's been working hard at practice. I screwed up again, so I just want to say, 'Sorry.' "

"I messed up again," he said. "I'll never do it again."

Arenas said he probably should've handled the situation differently. In hindsight, yes, but I wasn't really thinking that this was going to be another media outburst. It's like everything I do now, someone tit for tat, try to blow it out of proportion. At the end of the day, Nick is happy. He got to play, got to show that he can play, and I'm out here taking all the heat again. I made my teammate happy."

He added, "Better way? If I wouldn't have made any comments, you guys wouldn't have known, right? Let's just say I blew it again."

[DarrellsMyHero28]

Dude, Gil you can't do that **** man.

You are on thinner than thin ice right now. If you think Nick needs more playing time, tell Flip that. Lobby for him, talk him up, whatever but don't lie to your coach about it...and then admit to it!?

I mean, I don't want to defend him lying, but no one can prove/disprove soreness so why didn't you just keep it at that?

[No Excuses]

If any of you would like to attend the game today (Thursday) against the Bucks, then shoot me a PM. I have an extra set of tickets that I need get rid off. I actually bought these online but I got a hook up to better seats so I don't need these anymore. Since my hook up gave me his tickets for free, I'll give mine away for free as well. The seats are in Section 419 but it's preseason so you'll be able to sneak into the lower level with ease.

Shoot me a PM if you are interested. First person to do gets the tickets. I'll email them directly to you.

[Sticksboi05]

Get Agent ZERO out of here. He is poison. Sad he used to run D.C.

[Kosher Ham]

Arenas. haha. What an idiot.

This guy is killing his own career one step at a time. Unreal.

[fullnelson9999]

If any of you would like to attend the game today (Thursday) against the Bucks, then shoot me a PM. I have an extra set of tickets that I need get rid off. I actually bought these online but I got a hook up to better seats so I don't need these anymore. Since my hook up gave me his tickets for free, I'll give mine away for free as well. The seats are in Section 419 but it's preseason so you'll be able to sneak into the lower level with ease.

Shoot me a PM if you are interested. First person to do gets the tickets. I'll email them directly to you.

PM sent

[Gator Bait]

I've got two tickets in section 102, row K that I'm selling for the home opener....unfortunately I have class that night and can't attend. I'll sell for under face value.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I've got two tickets in section 102, row K that I'm selling for the home opener....unfortunately I have class that night and can't attend. I'll sell for under face value.

PM sent.

Arenas. haha. What an idiot.

This guy is killing his own career one step at a time. Unreal.

Aren't you a Lakers fan?



Anyway, I've been thinking about this Gil thing. First, to state the obvious, this isn't some horrible, evil thing. He didn't fight dogs, he didn't rape a girl in a hotel room in Colorado, he didn't send a pic of his junk to a ballgirl, he didn't bring guns into a locker room, etc. With that said, it's still monumentally stupid and disturbing. Why? Because it was dumb and, more importantly, totally unnecessary. Why do it? Could he really not have gone to Flip and just said, "Hey Coach, it's a preseason game, I'm feeling good about where my game is right now, I know Nick has been frustrated about his time on the court, do you mind if I sit this one out and you let Nick fill in for me?" What's wrong with doing that? Flip doesn't strike me as an *******, I doubt he would've said no. And then to tell the media about it? Goddamn...come on Gil. It just really shows a lack of maturity, a lack of judgement and a complete failure in decision making. Given Gil's past, it is a bit disturbing and disheartening.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

PM sent.



Aren't you a Lakers fan?

Yes, I believe Kosher Ham is a Lakers fan....and for some reason, he always feels the need to take a shot at the Wiz.

I haven't figured out why feels the need to do so but frankly, its starting to irritate me.

[Sticksboi05]

Hey, what do you expect from a team with one of the biggest bandwagon fan bases in sports?

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Yes, I believe Kosher Ham is a Lakers fan....and for some reason, he always feels the need to take a shot at the Wiz.

I haven't figured out why feels the need to do so but frankly, its starting to irritate me.

Probably subconscious guilt about being a bandwagoner. He needs to lash out and put down the team of true Washingtonians to justify his fandom of the Lakers to himself.

[ksun247]

Gilbert Arenas tweaked his groin in 1st half of game against the Bucks and won't return to the game. John Wall looking good at home playing against Brandon Jennings.

[skinfan2k]

john wall is so damn good. this is my first preseason game watching in length. i think this man is already a top 25 player