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Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out

Jun 11th, 2007
The Washington Wizards need to stop fronting ... They can't be comfortable with Arenas opting out of his contract next summer ... After all, the Wiz must have forgotten how they got The Hibachi-the infamous coin toss ... Washington can't predict what their unpredictable superstar will do next summer and that's a worry ... Click here for this story ... The Associated Press reports that the were expecting to opt out of his contract:
The Washington Wizards are committed to keeping Gilbert Arenas on the team, even after the All-Star guard said he planned to opt out of his contract.

Arenas told The Washington Post and The Washington Times that he will get out of the six-year, $65 million contract he signed in 2003 and become a free agent.

"As a three-time All-Star and one of the league's best players, we understand why a player of his stature would like to be compensated accordingly," Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement.

 "Gilbert has made a significant impact with his exploits on the court and a sincere connection with our fans and our community because of his compassion and generosity. Gilbert has said that his intention is to remain with our organization and we are committed to having him spend his entire career as a Washington Wizard."

My Take: Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards front office executive, must have forgotten the infamous coin toss.

Let me remind you Mr. Grunfeld.

It was summer, 2003. Arenas, after winning the NBA’s most improved player award with the Golden State Warriors, was an unrestricted free agent.

He was a hot commodity.  Contract offers were pouring in. The Warriors had no cap space. They were out of the running.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards were both anting up 65 million dollars over six years.

Arenas couldn’t decide between the Clippers and Wizards. Instead of weighing the pros and cons of each situation, he settled the issue like any grown man making the most important decision of his life-he flipped a coin.

Yes, a coin. Washington won the toss and landed Arenas’ services.

So four years later, the Wizards can’t be comfortable with Arenas opting out of his contract.

What happens if Agent Zero gets a great offer from another team? How would he pick between this other franchise and the Wizards?

Arenas would probably roll some dice. Perhaps, he would hire a psychic. Or he may just settle the matter by challenging DeShawn Stevenson to another shooting contest on youtube.

Point being nothing is for sure when dealing  with Arenas and his Gilbertology. Bulletsforever.com believes this situation could become a problem:
What happens if the Wizards struggle at the start of next year, and they aren't much better than before by the time the trade deadline rolls around? What if they again lose in the first round of the playoffs? What if Gil reaggravates his injury, and the Wizards suffer without him? How can the Wizards front office possibly read his thoughts?
These are valid points. This issue could blow up on the Wizards and wreck the progress they’ve made over the last two seasons.

You do remember the Wizards before Arenas? Washington never made the playoffs. They fired His Airness and boasted about center Gheorghe Muresan starring in a movie with Billy Crystal called My Giant.

Arenas’ antics may be scary. Now imagine Washington without The Hibachi.

Click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor's NBA blog.
Comments (10)
BENJEMAN June 12, 2007
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
i hope Gil relizes that thst the wizards organization has built the franchise around you tis is your team Gilbert don't abandon your team. We are building a championship team but if u leave it won't happen. And just so everyone knows the reason you guys win games is becasue you just outscore people without defense its amazing actually but if you guys played defense i bet youd have the best 3 records in the league and you would go deep in the playoffs if you played defense. GIL DON'T LEAVE MAN YOUR OUR HERO YOU HAVE BROUGHT PRIDE BACK TO DC BASKETBALL.
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mitch June 12, 2007
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
hey, Oly Sandor, you are wrong on the coin flipping!!!! Arenas said that he was actually joking about coin flipping and he didn't really do it.. i read it on a wizards tv show when they interview him. I'm a washington DC native and been living here my whole life, following the wizards every year. you were wrong on this!!!!
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Pradamaster June 12, 2007
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
To clarify my comment (since you pulled the one part of the post where I actually expressed concern), there's no reason to worry if you're the Wizards at this point. This announcement is hardly earth-shattering, and it doesn't mean that Gil wants out. He's just being sensible and trying to make the most money he possibly can,-PradmasterBullets Forever
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If he goes, I will no Longer be a Wizard's Fan June 12, 2007
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
The Washington Organization has had a history of doing some DUMB things but letting Gilbert Arenas go will be about the DUMBEST by far. I thought letting MJ go was dumb but this is an all-time low. I have been a Washington Fan since I can remember (back when we had the "BIG E") and Wes Unsel. We have not had a decent/respectable team since the early 70's. It would really be a shame to let a talent go all because your organization will not pay him what he is worth$$$$ BOO WIZARDS!!!
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a guest June 12, 2007
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
The coin toss really did work that way. Gil actually was undecided on whether to play for the wizards or the clippers so his father told him to go get better away from his hometown of LA
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la June 13, 2007
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
hope he goes fast go to a team that needs him to actually win and can go deep in the playoffs like the lakers or rocketsthose teams with him will go deep in 08 with him
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alias June 13, 2007
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
i think we should trade arenas for a low post presence!! because big man win championship. Arenas is too eccentric, can't lead the wizards deeper into the playoffs like lebron james IN FACT, he wants as much money as james is earning!!, he isn't a leader, too unpredictable (someday he got 30pts and next day he got like 6,7 pts) always talk crap and can not back it up.he also said that he would reduce a pay cut for the better of the team to get good players to come here and what did he do now?....asking for a raise fpr his paycheck!!!he is just a scorer and nothing else!
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Tarek aka T-Money June 13, 2007
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
Actually, I think that when Gilbert did the coin-flip, he flipped a coin ten times and the Clippers won 6 out of 10 times and so Washington lost the coin toss. Gilbert said he had to "go against the odds" and went to DC instead. I think that's how it goes but I don't know where I heard it. Wouldn't be surprised though.
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why? June 13, 2007
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
Why would you leave washington or even say that? You're really pissing the people off that support you. It was this franchise that allowed you the opportunity for greatness and you want to squander your opportunity over a few million? You are my favorite player in the league and if you leave us ...you suck and you will go on to be like chris webber our last underachiever. Either good luck or good riddens. The ball is truly in your court and if u leave us karma will kick your ass. OOps! sorry bout that.
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gilbertarenas4life June 03, 2008
Washington Wizards Were 'Expecting' Gilbert Arenas To Opt Out
gilbert if u want to leave the wizards and go to a worse team thats ok with me but if u leave i wont like u, by the way im only 8
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