Gilbert Arenas Can’t Be Serious
There’s something refreshing about Gilbert Arenas, the face of the Washington Wizards publicly asserting that the team needs to take a more serious approach to next season. It needed to be said, it was dead-on accurate, and the dedication of the Wizards next season will be the deciding factor in the Wizards being the seventh-seed in the Eastern Conference, or the fourth.
Problem is, Gilbert Arenas can’t be serious.
Being silly made Gilbert Arenas a rich man, and one of the most well-known players in the NBA despite playing in an NBA wasteland. Gilbert Arenas made the Washington Wizards, not just with his play, but with his candor and his drive to be accessible to media and fans alike.
He’s intrinsically goofy, disarmingly candid, and frighteningly astute on a wide range of subjects, but it all comes together because he’s got the timing of a comedic actor and the professional dedication of a professional prize fighter. No one works harder or plays harder than Arenas, and I’ve said that with a little maturity, he could be the second coming of Muhammad Ali.
But it should not be at the expense of who he is as a person. There’s a difference between playing too much and playing the game smartly, and Gilbert will hopeful make the transition to the latter. Unfortunately, he’s positioned himself to be a mentor to Nick Young and the rest of the young Wizards, which may prove to be as difficult a role for Arenas as it was for Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler.
Gilbert Arenas is a serious talent, but he can’t be a serious person. Washington as an NBA city can’t afford it, and his personal brand shouldn’t have to suffer for the team to benefit.
 |  |
sometimes I wonder if Muhammad Ali was more lucky than “mature”…..I mean, seems like he would have succumbed to Mike Tyson in his heyday….. ’cause Iron Mike was too crazy to be concerned with Ali talking all that mess
[...] The only problem is, Gilbert Arenas can’t be Serious. [...]
Joe Frazier and George Foreman were crazy. Talent had to been a part of the equation in more instances than not.
Lets give ol Gil a break. Remember when he was last healthy there were probably only two people (#23 & #24) whos hands you’d rather have the ball in during crunch time other than ol Gil. He also went against the advice of his agent doctors and friends and came back in the playoffs last year to try to help his team thus jepardizing his health and pockets(contract year) all for the love of the game. So what if he likes to tell a joke or two.