Last night I came across this article - Arenas says he’d score ‘84 or 85′ against Duke. Six months or so later, Gilbert Areanas still can’t get over being cut from the USA Basketball team. Apparently, he blames it on Coach Mike Krzyzewski.
All I know about Arenas these days is that he’s apparently doing very well in the NBA. I occasionally hear something about him hitting a game-winning shot and/or scoring points like he’s Jordan or Kobe. Of course, I could care less about the NBA until late May, and Arenas hasn’t been in the latter stages of the playoffs lately (ever?) that I’ve seen. Therefore, I haven’t actually seen him play since college. He may very well be deserving of a spot on the USA team. But, there’s probably several dozen players who are as well, but there aren’t that many spots. Not everyone gets to play.
So, instead of taking it like a man and moving on, he’s chosen to act like a child and continues to bring it up whenever he has the opportunity. The article says that he “has made a career out of using snubs as motivation.” Whatever works, I guess. He says:
I thought it was funny because if I have the chance to go back to college, I’ll give up one NBA season to play against Duke. One college game … 40-minute game at Duke, they got soft rims I’d probably score 84 or 85. I wouldn’t pass the ball. I wouldn’t even think about passing it. It would be like a NBA Live or an NBA 2K7 game, you just shoot with one person.
This guy has some serious issues. I’d suggest counseling. More from the article:
Arenas has promised this season to take out his frustrations about the national team on Krzyzewski’s Team USA assistants, Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni and Portland coach Nate McMillan.
What is this, third grade? “I’m gonna get you, Coach K!” Grow up and get over yourself. You look childish and you’re just embarrasssing yourself.
Oh, and I mentioned not having seen him play since college. And I probably only saw him play a few times during those years. However, I did catch his final college game, in which he shot 4 for 17 from the field and scored 10 points.
That was in the 2001 NCAA championship game, which his Arizona Wildcat team lost 82-72.
So close…he only needed 75 more.
He probably hasn’t gotten over that one, either.
That must have been the year after the Cats won the title. (I think). He is a very talented player, that may need some maturing. But I remember a Michael Jordan that would hold grudges as well.
January 26, 2007
I think Gilbert Arenas is very self-aware, and is making these types of comments purely for self-promotional and entertainment value. I know Mike D’Antoni made a few playful jokes back to Arenas through the media, so I don’t think anyone is really taking it personally.
KS is right tho- he may need some maturing. I mean, who shells out a million bucks for their own birthday party?!
January 26, 2007
Yeah, I saw him on PTI a couple of days ago and I came in the middle of it and didn’t realize this is what they were talking about. He seemed to be joking around about it a little bit. However, I do think he was genuinely offended about getting cut and still has some hard feelings about it.
January 26, 2007
[...] As Greg Fielder demonstrates, you’ve got to be careful what you say these days, what with the internet and all. [...]
January 27, 2007