Before Gilbert Arenas played for the Washington Wizards, he was suspended 50 games in 2009 for his involvement in a league-wide gambling scandal. In this podcast with Zach Harper of The Ringer, Arenas discusses how David Stern threatened him into accepting that suspension by saying “You have to be willing to accept whatever I decide.”
Gilbert Arenas Detailed How David Stern Blatantly Threatened Him Into Accepting a 50-Game Suspension. The NBA commissioner threatened the former Wizards player into accepting the suspension by saying “You’re not going to play in any other league.”
For a short time in the mid-2000s, Gilbert Arenas went from a second-round choice to one of the top scorers in the NBA as a member of the Washington Wizards.
Agent Zero has always been one of the most charismatic players in the league. His Wizards teams were never title contenders, but they were always entertaining.
However, locker rooms, arguments, gambling, and firearms brought scandal to Washington in 2010.
Arenas earned a lengthy punishment as a result of the event, although he believes he did not deserve it. But, to hear him tell it, he didn’t have much of a choice.
The NBA banned Gilbert Arenas in 2010.
The Washington Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas sits on the bench during a game against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. | Christian Petersen/Getty Images
On Jan. 27, 2010, Gil was suspended for the balance of the 2009-10 season.
Arenas’ ban arose from an altercation with teammate Javaris Crittenton in the Wizards’ locker room a month before.
An altercation between the two guards apparently came to a head when they pulled out pistols and pointed them at each other in the locker area – firearms Arenas claimed were his.
It wasn’t until 2018 that the former Golden State guard acknowledged on The Action Network that the brawl began because Crittenton had been losing at cards.
Regardless, Arenas earned a 50-game sentence and was forced to sit out the remainder of his age-28 season, despite his best attempts to reduce the amount.
Stern, who is known for being a tough commissioner, was having none of it.
Hibachi asserts If he sought to appeal, David Stern threatened to take $88 million from him.
“I’ll steal your NBA contract if you fight me on this.”
Gilbert Arenas spoke to @ryenarussillo about his meeting with David Stern that ultimately led to his suspension in 2010 for bringing guns into the team locker room. pic.twitter.com/kd0WFJcqO8
— The Ringer (@ringer) March 22, 2022
Arenas conducted his own investigation into the NBA’s policies on weapons and gun charges, compiling a number of cases of player bans related to firearms. He believed that since his charges were minor in comparison to others, his suspension should be as well.
Arenas “decided not to appeal the sentence” after “meeting face-to-face” with Stern, according to an ESPN report from 2010.
Now it appears we have the full version of that face-to-face meeting as Arenas detailed on The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo Show:
“You may offer me three games at most,” I responded, “but I don’t want three games.” “Give me one.” That was my level of arrogance at the time.
I didn’t do anything except claim they were the best (my guns). “Perhaps I don’t claim them anymore,” I reasoned. Maybe they’re no longer mine. They’re no longer mine if you want to offer me 50 games.” That was my position.
You can see the anger in his face. And then he hit with me some s***. He said … “I’ll steal your NBA contract if you fight me on this.” (I said), “Oh s***.” I wasn’t expecting that one. I said, “Wait, what?” And he’s like, “I will do everything in my power to take your NBA contract.”
I’d already lost my Adidas deal, so I’m not even going to take a risk here; instead, I’ll simply shut up.
Gilbert Arenas discusses his meeting with David Stern to appeal his ban from 2010.
What a treat it would be to be a fly on the wall at that workplace.
Arenas is an underappreciated player who would be well at home in today’s NBA.
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From 2005 through 2007, Gil averaged 27.7 points per game. On 7.2 tries each night, he shot 36.1 percent from three (a high volume 15 years ago).
He also went to the free-throw line 9.2 times a game, shooting 82.6 percent. His game had a James Harden feel about it.
Arenas’ knee was injured the year following his ban, and he was never the same performer after that. He spent a year in Orlando and a year in Memphis before retiring from the league in 2012.
However, Hibachi was once one of the NBA’s most talented and entertaining players, and he still has a charming demeanor.
He may have been obstinate, but he accepted the 50 games and the $88 million nevertheless (good call). And now he has a great tale to tell about it.
Basketball Reference provided all statistics.
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