Comments on: More Changing of the Star Guard in Washington

By: usiel

usiel — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:54:30 +0000

I’m not sure what Mark refers to as far as the NBA salary cap rules making it better for the Bullets to sign him when he opts out versus next year but if true that is interesting.
Arenas was even quoted as saying if he was healthy come negotiation time he expected a max contract but if he was still not 100% that it would be time to negotiate which I thought was pretty accurate and funny.
I really hope they resign him honestly. I really can’t see the Bullets would be better without him.

By: pepper

pepper — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:51:09 +0000

I think one of the most significant things about Ovie in Washington is that he’s flamboyant, goofy, stylish, exuberant, and supremely confident, but without being an a-hole. Most everything that the prevailing conservative social culture of Washington isn’t.

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:34:53 +0000

Good thoughts, usiel. Again, I’m three stages removed from following the league except via the police blotter and news engines headlines, but I know enough about Gilbert to recognize that he’s a significant asset to the community, and therefore a real loss should he depart. It may also be true that AO and he enjoy a mutual respect. We need more of his type, and sadly he doesn’t seem to be on board with the Wiz these days. Playing one more year at sub-market wages (such as they are) would have allowed Wiz management to bolster roster weakpoints if it so chose, no? And then there’s the consideration that he ain’t exactly Cal Ripken health-wise. Oh, well.

By: usiel

usiel — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:27:22 +0000

Well Arenas has stated he doesn’t want to go to a bad team (like the ones that have the most cap space). NBA contract/FA stuff is just way different than the NHL so it is just hard to compare. Arenas is a character though. He chooses not to have an agent represent him just like AO. When he used to blog he would say pretty candid stuff.

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:23:40 +0000

The bottom line is this: there’s a healthy chance the star hoopster is playing hoops elsewhere next season, and if so, he ain’t coming back — not in his prime, anyway.

By: vt caps fan

vt caps fan — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:21:12 +0000

And to add what Mark was saying; Gil said last summer, he would opt out of the contract this year.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:56:39 +0000

FYI- If Arenas hadn’t opted out, the Wizards would most likely be unable to sign him next summer due to funky salary cap rules. Actually, Gil’s best chance to remain a Wizard long term was to opt-out this summer.

By: covesdog

covesdog — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:43:17 +0000

I’m running out of superlatives to describe Ovie. The guy is just everything a fan wants his or her star to be.