'Agent Zero' not a hero
Ryan Pleggenkuhle
Issue date: 1/28/10 Section: Opinion
Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas, also known as "Agent Zero," recently received an indefinite suspension from the NBA for pulling an unloaded handgun on a teammate in the locker room of the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The altercation apparently was a result of an unsettled gambling debt between Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton.
While there are still many unknowns about the incident, two things are up for debate: How long should Arenas be suspended? And should he be paid for doing nothing while he serves his suspension?
As NBA fans will recall, Ron Artest, then of the Indiana Pacers, was suspended for the remainder of the season back in 2004 for running up into the stands and punching a fan. This led to a massive brawl resulting in nine players being suspended without pay.
While Arenas didn't harm anyone, possessing a firearm without a license is a felony in Washington, D.C. Arenas has plead guilty to a felony gun charge in hopes that the Washington Wizards won't void his contract. If this were to happen Arenas would lose out on $80 million.
And if the NBA were to suspend Arenas for the rest of the season, I would take issue with that. The NBA made a good example by suspending Artest for the remainder of the season in 2004. Since then there hasn't been any incidents of players being suspended for altercations with fans, so obviously that sent a message to players.
If Arenas gets banned for the rest of the year without pay, that also will send a strong message to the league.
There is no place for firearms in any locker room. And hopefully Arenas will receive some jail time, a strict suspension and lose his pay for the remainder of the season.
While there are still many unknowns about the incident, two things are up for debate: How long should Arenas be suspended? And should he be paid for doing nothing while he serves his suspension?
As NBA fans will recall, Ron Artest, then of the Indiana Pacers, was suspended for the remainder of the season back in 2004 for running up into the stands and punching a fan. This led to a massive brawl resulting in nine players being suspended without pay.
While Arenas didn't harm anyone, possessing a firearm without a license is a felony in Washington, D.C. Arenas has plead guilty to a felony gun charge in hopes that the Washington Wizards won't void his contract. If this were to happen Arenas would lose out on $80 million.
And if the NBA were to suspend Arenas for the rest of the season, I would take issue with that. The NBA made a good example by suspending Artest for the remainder of the season in 2004. Since then there hasn't been any incidents of players being suspended for altercations with fans, so obviously that sent a message to players.
If Arenas gets banned for the rest of the year without pay, that also will send a strong message to the league.
There is no place for firearms in any locker room. And hopefully Arenas will receive some jail time, a strict suspension and lose his pay for the remainder of the season.
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