Arenas, Crittenton suspended for the remainder of the season

[Roy Hobbs]

NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Washington Wizards guards Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton for the remainder of the NBA season Wednesday, and ESPN.com learned that Arenas has agreed not to appeal the punishment.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4862783

[PLamb]

Glad to see the punishment being equal for both

[RAcker]

Not a surprise.  Hopefully this will curb a lot of potential bad behavior in the league going forward.

[Lucky17]

I wonder who leaves Washington first: Arenas, or Ernie Grunfeld?

[yall hate]

what a weak penalty

[scoop]

Crazy overreaction. What was the penalty for Telfair? Three, four games?

This is a shame, because Arenas was starting to play really well and he can be fun to watch. I don't understand why are basketball fans beings penalized.

[wdleehi]

The Washington Post reported that Arenas asked to be suspended for the rest of the season. 

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/01/arenas-to-be-suspended-for-rem.html?hpid=artslot

A person familiar with today's meeting between Arenas and Stern said the Wizards' three-time all-star guard had requested to be suspended for the remainder of the season.

Stern had been considering suspending him for 82 games.

According to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Arenas also told Stern that he would tell the players' union not to fight the suspension.

[Donoghus]

The Washington Post reported that Arenas asked to be suspended for the rest of the season. 

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/01/arenas-to-be-suspended-for-rem.html?hpid=artslot

A person familiar with today's meeting between Arenas and Stern said the Wizards' three-time all-star guard had requested to be suspended for the remainder of the season.

Stern had been considering suspending him for 82 games.

According to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Arenas also told Stern that he would tell the players' union not to fight the suspension.

Well, that's something you don't see everyday...   

[greg683x]

I wonder who leaves Washington first: Arenas, or Ernie Grunfeld?

I think EG will be gone at the end of the season.  So Im guessing he'll be first......Gil wont be far behind though.

[PosImpos]

Here's a good question:

Will Arenas ever play another complete season (without any long stretches of missed games)?

I'm not sure he will.

[Rondo_is_better]

that makes it THREE YEARS since Arenas has played.

I don't count 3 hobbled playoff appearance, nor do I count 25 games this year.

[Who]

Big test for their GM ... he's failed most of his past tests.

Washington should fire him and bring in a new voice to lead them.

[Thruthelookingglass]

Crazy overreaction. What was the penalty for Telfair? Three, four games?

This is a shame, because Arenas was starting to play really well and he can be fun to watch. I don't understand why are basketball fans beings penalized.

Very good point.  One more reason to feel sorry for Bullets Wizards fans.  That's one long-suffering group.

That said, Stern did need a way to make a very obvious point that pulling a gun on a teammate isn't cool.  While most of us know this, I think Stern was concerned that some of the teenagers in the NBA might not.  I like that he's taking it like an adult and telling the union to back off, but Arenas sure has let the fans down. 

[Schupac]

I think in the grand scheme of things this is a fair suspension, but I'm not sure about the motivation.  Telfair, Steven Jackson, and Arenas himself were involved in far more dangerous situations involving guns but got significantly lighter penalties.  I have to think part (most?) of the reason for this long a suspension has been the media attention, more than the actual action taken by Arenas and Crittenton.  And if Arenas can't play any more, why is Delonte West suiting up every night?  Maybe it is his low profile.

[Chris]

I think in the grand scheme of things this is a fair suspension, but I'm not sure about the motivation.  Telfair, Steven Jackson, and Arenas himself were involved in far more dangerous situations involving guns but got significantly lighter penalties.  I have to think part (most?) of the reason for this long a suspension has been the media attention, more than the actual action taken by Arenas and Crittenton.  And if Arenas can't play any more, why is Delonte West suiting up every night?  Maybe it is his low profile.

I think it has to do with it happening in an NBA arena.  Clearly the NBA has drawn a firm line there. 

Think about it in real life terms.  If you are arrested for gun possession when you go to a club some night, your boss may be angry, but you may not lose your job.  If you draw a gun on a coworker inside the office, do you think you stand any chance of keeping your job?