Gilbert, Gambling, and Guns: NBA Star Ruins his Career

If it goes up it must come down.  At least perhaps that's the mentality these athletes have in mind.  It seems that without fail, these celebrities are destined to ruin their own careers.

"On December 24, 2009, it was revealed that [Gilbert] Arenas had admitted to storing unloaded firearms in his locker at Verizon Center and had surrendered them to team security."   This violated the NBA's rules preventing firearms from entering an arena- it also breaks Washington D.C. ordinance as well which prohibits un registered firearms.

Ok, so the guy had guns in his locker.  Stupid choice on his part, but it's not like he pulled one on anybody....OH WAIT! He did.  

"On January 1, 2010, it was also reported that Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton had unloaded guns in the Wizards' locker room during a Christmas Eve argument regarding gambling debts."  Apparently its typical for players to play poker or some other arbitrary card game during their flights from one state to another.  I don't think, however, they usually threaten each others lives over them.


"On January 6, 2010, (his 28th birthday) the NBA suspended Arenas indefinitely without pay until its investigation was complete."  During the traditional pre-game presentation of the players rivaling the Philadelphia 76er's, Gilbert thought it cute to draw 'fingertip pistols' on his team mate and pretend to shoot them.  In his defense he states that he was trying to make light of the situation.  In reality he is dumb as bricks. 

"NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement that 'his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game.' DUH!  That's like OJ pulling fake guns on the jury at his court case.  I don't think he's get way with it...then again he is a celebrity....the point is: the stupid do stupid things then further their stupidity with continuous stupid actions. 

"On January 27, 2010, Arenas and Crittenton were suspended for the rest of the season, after meeting with Stern." It makes sense.  He was an idiot and broke several laws on top of being a bad representation of the NBA.  He doesn't deserve to play.  As for the other guy, it's blurry.  He did have a gun and was involved, though.


<sup>It's disheartening to know that role models are setting bad examples for those that look up to them.  Though as a society we recognize their flaws more than the good they do- perhaps we just have high standards.  

I blame it on the baggy shorts- this kind of thing never happened when basketball players were running around in short shorts.

Strangely, basketball fans are still waiting for Ron Artest to pull his outrageous stunt for 2010.  Maybe the Lakers sucked the crazy out of him....</sup>