![]() ![]() ![]() Two officials within the league, however, who were briefed on the investigation, told The Associated Press that the incident stemmed from a dispute over card-playing gambling debts and a heated locker-room conversation with Crittenton. Arenas later disputed that account, saying he had taken the unloaded weapons out of his locker to play a joke on a teammate. The New York Post last week had reported that during the incident, Arenas and Crittenton had drawn weapons in the locker room and pointed them at each other. And I have to accept it."Ĭrittenton could be facing more trouble as well. He made a tougher decision today that went against me. "He is the same man who put me on my second All-Star team after I got snubbed by the coaches," Arenas said, according to the report. The Wizards said they supported the suspension, calling Arenas' behavior "unacceptable." According to The Washington Post, Arenas said he "respected" Stern's decision. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA." Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game," Stern said. "Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. "The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us," Stern said. League officials were incensed by the way Arenas mocked the reactions of the media and public toward his behavior on his Twitter page and in comments to reporters - even before Tuesday's actions in Philadelphia, the sources said. Those sources also said it's "fair to say" Arenas' actions on Tuesday expedited the process. League sources said Stern's decision to suspend Arenas now, rather than await the results of local and federal investigations, was a direct result of Arenas' comments and attitude. After meeting with investigators Tuesday, Arenas said he feared Stern more than the authorities because the commissioner was "mean."īut Stern apparently had enough of Arenas' often-flippant response to a situation that has dealt the league a public relations blow. Though Arenas first apologized Monday for his poor judgment and promised "to do better in the future," he also joked on Twitter about the incident and the media firestorm it spawned. In text messages, Crittenton called that account "false," according to the report. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that according to firsthand accounts, teammate Javaris Crittenton, whose disagreement with Arenas reportedly fueled the incident, loaded and cocked his own gun in response to Arenas. NBA commissioner David Stern found none of it funny.Īrenas was suspended indefinitely without pay Wednesday by Stern, who determined the player's behavior made him "not currently fit to take the court."Ī day after the Washington Wizards guard was photographed before a game in Philadelphia playfully pointing his index fingers in a gun imitation at his teammates, Stern warned the former All-Star that his conduct will "ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse."Īrenas is under investigation by federal and local authorities after admittedly bringing guns into the Wizards' locker room. NEW YORK - Gilbert Arenas tried joking about his gun trouble. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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