There’s a reason that the Washington Wizards can’t quit Gilbert Arenas, and it’s not his range from three, his quickness to take people off the dribble, or his cross over appeal. It’s the fact that D.C. is a town built on empty promises and posturing, none of which are realistic to Arenas in his everyday life.
He recently said on record that he would willingly take a pay cut for the Washington Wizards to retain all-star forward Antawn Jamison.
"I want to see Antawn taken care of first and then I’ll take the pay cut to keep the team intact," said Arenas, who plans to opt out of the final season of his contract
with the idea of signing a long-term deal with the Wizards.
Who else in the league is candid enough to say that, and genuine enough to actually do it? Some people call it quirky or eccentric, I say that Gilbert positions himself as an everyman more than any other celebrity - athlete or otherwise. He says things out loud that most people would, but don’t expect famous folks to say.
But beyond his common appeal, Arenas balances a delicate line between petulant superstar and face-of-the-team better than any other NBA player not named Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan. He publicly airs his concerns and frustrations, but never ostracizes himself from teammates or management, at least as far as the public knows. Now he’s stepped into the role of assistant GM, and the franchise and city look better for it, because he’s gone from possible defector to Wizard For Life.
The Wizards should take Gilbert up on his offer and do the right thing by their current nucleus. Everyone knows they are one solid center away from contention in the Eastern Conference, and a couple of contract extensions away from a being the area’s most beloved franchise.
{ 0 comments… add one now }