Basketball Shooters

That picture is the latest technology in basketball shooting equipment (the Gun 6000 from Shoot-A-Way.com). I don't know if the pros use the machine, but there's a lot of preparation for shooting baskets (and other basketball players) going on in the National Basketball Association. Added to the outside shot, the fade-away jump shot, and the free throw shot are the .45 shot and the .357 shot.

The Washington Bullets changed their name to The Wizards awhile back, so it seems the players decided to bring back the bullets, in a slightly different way. In a locker room disagreement (if you can call guns at high noon a "disagreement"), all-star player Gilbert Arenas reached into his locker and pulled out a gun and pointed it at fellow player Javaris Crittendon. Crittendon had been pushing Arenas to pay him a gambling debt. Before pulling the gun, Arenas is reported to have shouted "I'm not your punk (or bitch, depending on which version you believe)." Not to be outdone, Crittenton then also pulled a gun and pointed it at Arenas. It's unclear whether Crittenton had his own gun, or pulled it from the ample supply in Arenas's locker.

Another version making the recent rounds of speculation is that Arenas pulled three guns out of his locker and laid them on the bench between the lockers. Then he told Crittenton to pick one. Since that was probably not the offer of a gift, the logical assumption is that it was the thug version of "draw, pardner." Crittenton allegedly declined, saying that he had his own gun, thank you very much. Then Crittenton proceeded to pull his gun out.

Those are two of the current versions, and it would be bad enough if that were all there was to it. But now it appears that Arenas not only had guns, but Wizards management already knew about it. The story was that Arenas had a small arsenal that he had brought to the locker room because he didn't want his little ones in Virginia to get hold of them and, like, hurt themselves. What a good dad! So he brought them to the arena, and turned them over to security. And security then promptly put them into his locker? Hmmmm.

Whether Arenas actually ever turned the guns over to security is highly questionable, but even if he did, bringing guns to the arena is a clear violation of NBA rules. This is not Arenas's first run-in with league rules and local law regarding guns. He was arrested, and pled guilty to carrying a concealed weapon in San Francisco six years ago. So it's clear that the Wizards' management and quite likely the other players knew about Arenas's propensity for owning and possessing guns. Not illegal, at least until you conceal it in D.C. or point it menacingly at someone nearly anywhere. And there seems to be plenty of evidence that management also knew about Arenas's serious gambling habits. Arenas doesn't deny this, but assures everyone that he never gambles on basketball (which could get him suspended or fired, unlike locker storage of arms that rival the local National Guard armory).

The D.C. police are now investigating Arenas for having the guns in his locker (even after Heller, the police can investigate to determine why and how many guns a person convicted previously of illegal possession may have if there's suspicion that the guns are not solely for self-defense and may have been unlawfully purchased).

Although Arenas (and Crittenton) refused to speak with reporters, Arenas was fairly free with his tweets. His first entry on Twitter was "I wake up this morning, and seen I was the new JOHN WAYNE. Imao media is too funny." Later in the day he tweeted "I understand this is serious, but if u ever met me you know I dont do serious things im a goof ball this story today dont sound goofy to me." I assume Arenas was drafted out of college. An English major, perhaps? Some time after the incident, however, Arenas did respond on Twitter briefly to a blog written by a Washington Post reporter. Says Arenas: "That's not the real story," and later, "I saw the story. Very compelling. Some real O.K. corral stuff." Huh? Did Arenas fantasize that he had been part of the gunfight at the OK corral?

Wizards' management, speaking on behalf of itself and the NBA announced that "We are continuing to cooperate fully with the proper authorities and the NBA and will have no further comment at this time." At least now I know why basketball is called a non-contact sport. If the other guy gets in your way, pull a gun. No need to hit him with any body parts. It makes me wonder if they'll extend this fun onto the court. "And now, folks, Arenas looks like he's going to take the outside shot."

This whole thing would be funny if it weren't so serious, and indicative of how sports figures, and their enablers, believe they are above the law. The NBA has said that "if Arenas is convicted of a felony, he could be subject to having his contract with the Wizards voided (emphasis added)." Ditto for Crittenton, although it would only cost Crittenton $1.48 million for the final year of his three year contract, while it would cost Arenas about $100 million for voiding of the remainder of his six year contract. The upside is that will save Arenas more in taxes than I'll make in my entire life.

I look at Arenas and Crittenton as a couple of overpaid thugs with a talent for basketball. They deserve plenty of punishment, if nothing more than termination of their contracts and banishment from the NBA for life, with or without a felony conviction. But it shouldn't stop there. It appears that the Wizards management and staff need a serious housecleaning. And if it's happening at their arena, how about others? I'm guessing that the Bullets/Wizards aren't the only ones who are packing. The league itself has left itself open for accusations of willful blindness to the possible criminal actions of its players. One more example of how despicable the worship of "sports heroes" has become. At least Arenas didn't shoot one of Michael Vick's dogs, so I suppose PETA won't be joining the chorus of criticism.

LATE UPDATE: Well, this is refreshing. The New York Post and Fox News report that the Reverend Al Sharpton had a lengthy conversation with NBA Commissioner David Stern, blasting Stern for the ubiquity of guns in sports. Appparently a face-to-face meeting is in the offing.