Elbow To Face= Fist To The Ribs

((HT: CSNWashington/NBA/blazersedgeben))

John Wall didn't like getting elbowed in the Wednesday night game between his Wizards and the Heat. The only problem with that is when Zydrunas Ilgauskas elbows you in the chops, you can't just hit him back in the chops if you're a guard...

Evidence below...


Doesn't quite seem like a fair fight unless a stepladder is involved...

NBA Silly Season Continues With Williams And Bibby

First, the Utah Jazz surprised the civilized world by sending resident-alleged trouble-maker Deron Williams to New Jersey for point guard Devin Harris, power forward Derrick Favors, and two first-round picks (from the Nets in 2011 and the Golden State Warriors in 2012).

The word associated with it, normally, was "shock..."
Here's head coach Tyrone Corbin
((HT: KSL-TV))

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

The Jazz also get $3-million in cash to help with the whole salary cap evening-out.

Then, this evening the Atlanta Hawks send 2011 underachiever Mike Bibby to the Eastern Conference version of Siberia- Washington- for Kirk Hinrich and centerman Hilton Armstrong.

The Hawks sent Bibby, rookie Jordan Crawford, swingman Mo Evans and their 2011 first-round draft pick to the Wizards.

Bibby, Crawford and Evans were informed of the trade prior to the team’s game against Phoenix tonight. Jeff Teague replaced Bibby in the starting lineup- his first start of the year.

The Hawks proceeded to get blown out early on in Phoenix against the Suns. They were down 11 in the third quarter...

Bibby was interviewed recently on GPB's SportsCentral program about what advice he would give high schoolers about the game...

Here's how the story broke the last time Bibby got dealt...
((HT: Associated Press))

Wall to Wizards....is anyone paying attention?

To say that the NBA Draft doesn't quite get the buildup that the NFL does would be a huuuuuggggeeee understatement.

Sure, it's actually somewhat entertaining. There are always trades and this year is no different, there are a lot of teams making deals for guys they've never had play and guys they don't want playing for them. But there is very little drama.

We knew that John Wall was going to be the first pick. There was never a question. He's now part of the Washington Wizards, who we still don't know how ended up with the first pick. There is little question that he'll be a star. No, the only question is how is he going to mesh with our good friend Gilbert. Yes, none other than Agent Zero himself.

More from the New York Times RIGHT HERE

Also to the surprise of no one, Evan Turner of Ohio State went second to Philadelphia and despite their denials, New Jersey took rising sophomore Derrick Favors.

Check out NBA.com's coverage, with Matt Winer, Kenny Smith and Bill Self breaking down the selection. Thanks NBA.com, we love that you are blogger friendly.

Manute Bol moves on....

The NBA's 1st Dinka warrior, Manute Bol, all 7-7 of him, passed away Saturday at the age of 47. He died at the University of Virginia's Medical center

Bol, from the Sudan, had contracted Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a skin disease, while in Africa.

More from the Washington Post RIGHT HERE

There were very few characters in NBA history like Bol, who, played for Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami in his 9 year NBA career and was perhaps the most friendly big man to ever play.

((Manute Bol in action//Courtesy: thesportshernia.com))

Though extraordinarily tall, he was a pretty good athlete and was an amazing shot blocker. He tried, albeit humorously to re-invent himself as a potential "3-point" threat while at Golden State, playing for Don Nelson.

He was beloved everywhere he played and by everyone he played with, perhaps in some ways because he struggled to learn english and what he learned was mostly the "Trash Talk" of basketball.

To give you an idea of how much fun his teammates and friends had being around him, check out this prank that Charles Barkley pulled on him from years ago. Thanks You Tube:

No Jail Time For Arenas

A judge has ordered suspended Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas to spend 30 days in a halfway house on gun charges that rose from a locker-room confrontation with teammate Javaris Crittenton.

Prosecutors had recommended that Arenas serve three months in jail. Defense attorneys argued Arenas didn't deserve jail time for what they described as a misguided prank Crittenton.

The whole "Pick 1" thought in the locker room apparently was conveniently dismissed by Arenas' attorneys.

Arenas pleaded guilty to violating the city's gun laws in the December 21 incident at Verizon Center following an argument over an unpaid gambling debt.

Court papers revealed prosecutors said Crittenton had legitimate reason to believe Arenas' threat was genuine.

Here's Fox5DC/MyFoxDC's team coverage with Maureen Umeh, Sports Director Dave Feldman and their live shots...

Ted Leonsis now owns all of Washington! Sports that is...

Ted Leonsis is now, well if not the, one of the most powerful people in Washington D.C. Not only is he the owner of the Washington Capitals Hockey team...he's now reached an agreement with the estate of the late Abe Pollin, to purchase the Washington Wizards and the Verizon Center as well.

The deal is valued somewhere around $550 million though it won't actually cost Leonsis that much since he was already a part owner of the arena.

More from the Washington Post...RIGHT HERE

((Leonsis with his meal ticket//Courtesy: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images))

This should be an interesting...and a good deal for Leonsis. Though the Wizards are not particularly good, the Capitals are one of the NHL's best teams. The big prize is the arena. Though there is still money owed on it, the facility gets tons of use.

Apparently the Capitals were not getting money from the Luxury and Club suites...which would help pay some of the bills too.

Barring any major setbacks, the 23 of the 30 NBA owners need to approve the deal. Apparently, so does the U.S Justice Department...hmmmm.

In the meantime...Check out this kids dunk contest at the Verizon Center during a Wizards game. Thanks You Tube:

This is why News People are scary crazy...

We post this video with the full disclosure that at least some of us here at the OSG have spent a portion of our careers in a News Department at a TV station. And yes, News people tend to take themselves way too seriously and consider anything that has to do with weather the single biggest event in the history of mankind. We aren't totally proud of it, but you've gotta do what you've gotta do to make a buck and tell stories.

((Snowpocolypse in D.C//Courtesy: CNN.com))

Well, we came upon this video of a TV Weatherman doing a report for the Baltimore Metro area and well...we couldn't decide if we should laugh or be scared. He's talking...sort of about the Snowstorm as it was approaching the Atlantic coast.

Oh...by the way, the same snowpocolypse has cancelled the Washington Wizards/Atlanta Hawks game in D.C because neither team could get to D.C. There are also a handful of college basketball games that have been cancelled so far as well.

Here is the video, from Meteorological performer Jim Kosek. Thanks You Tube:

Arenas Is A Zero For The Rest Of 2010, Javaris, Too...

To recap all the fun we've had with this case...
Washington Wizards scorer extraordinaire Gilbert Arenas ((pictured, trying to be funny, thanks Garrabrant/NBAE-Getty)) pleaded guilty back on January 15th to a felony gun charge after an alleged confrontation with teammate Javaris Crittenton in the Wizards' locker room just before Christmas.

Arenas is scheduled to be sentenced March 26. He's in the second season of a six-year, $111 million contract.

Last week, Crittenton plead guilty to a misdemeanor gun possession charge as part of a plea deal in the case.

But now both individuals careers in the NBA are on the strictest of reviews now that they've met with the Commissioner. Arenas can't flash fake pistols at his laughing teammates for a while. Crittenton can't be a teammate for a while.

Will their contracts be voided...??? That's the next question. The answer should be an easy "yes," but it won't be that easy an answer...

Here's the greatest hits from Commisioner Stern on Arenas and Crittenton...
Thanks to the NBA their ownselves...

“It is not disputed that, following an argument on the team’s flight home from a game in Phoenix, both Mr. Arenas and Mr. Crittenton brought guns to the Verizon Center locker room and – with other players and team personnel present or nearby – displayed them to one another in a continuation of their dispute. The players engaged in this conduct despite a specific rule set forth in the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the Players Association prohibiting players from possessing a weapon at an NBA facility, and reminders of this prohibition given annually by the NBA to players both in writing and in person.

“The issue here is not about the legal ownership and possession of guns, either in one’s home or elsewhere. It is about possession of guns in the NBA workplace, which will not be tolerated.

“I have met separately with Mr. Arenas and with Mr. Crittenton. Both have expressed remorse for their actions and an understanding of the seriousness of their transgressions. Both have volunteered to engage in community service in order to turn the lessons they have learned into an educational message for others. I accept fully the sincerity of their expressions of regret and intent to create something positive from this incident.

“Nevertheless, there is no justification for their conduct.”

Stern goes on to say both are suspended for the remainder of the season...
Here's coverage for our friends at MyFoxDC...
((HT: WTTG-TV))

Crittenton Charged...story ends (well, not really)

The last of the two Washington Wizards involved with the Locker room gun incident has officially been charged. Javaris Crittenton was charged with 2 misdemeanor offenses from his "disagreement" with Gilbert Arenas/Agent Zero at the Verizon Center last month.

The charges, unlawful possession of a firearm and attempting to carry a pistol with out a license carry a maximum sentence of a year in jail. However it is widely known that Crittenton is working on plea deal which wouldn't require him to go to jail.

The story from the Washington Post RIGHT HERE

For his part, Arenas/Zero plead guilty to a felony charge last week. He also agreed to a plea arrangement which would ask the prosecutor to go for no more than 6 months of jail time. In the meantime, he is on indefinite suspension from the NBA.

The whole thing is just pretty stupid. We realize that Arenas/Zero is a flake and has done some strange things in his career. Crittenton, we covered in High School and College and really don't know what he was thinking either. He never came across as someone who would be so casual about waving around guns in a locker room or for that matter anywhere else. But, we guess that you never really know somebody until...well...you know somebody.

Here's coverage from our friends at MyFoxDC and WTTG-TV...
Paul Wagner gets to stand outside court for his live shot...

Arenas Pleads Guilty To Felony Gun Charge

((HT: MyFoxDC))

Gilbert Arenas pleaded guilty to violating the city's gun laws as part of a plea bargain in D.C. Superior Court.

He arrived at D.C. Superior Court after 2 p.m. Friday and did not answer any questions from media ((video below for proof)). His time with the judge was set for 2:30 Friday afternoon...

Defense attorney Kenneth Wainstein says prosecutors agreed they won't seek a sentence longer than the "low end" of sentencing guidelines- no more than six months behind bars.

Here's MyFoxDC's coverage from DC Superior Court...
It's raw video of him trying to get in to the Moultrie Courthouse...
Arenas was successful...


The Washington Post's Keith Alexander has the sentencing March 26th...

Wizards Agent Gets Zero Jail Time...???

((HT: WJLA-TV Washington DC))

Wizards star Gilbert Arenas ((pictured, still not being funny one damn bit, thanks NBAE-Getty/Garrabrant)) has reached a plea deal that would result in little or no jail time, according to The Washington Post.

With the single charge against Arenas, it could have been five years max in the DC pokey for the not-so-secret Agent.

The Alexander and Wise piece is here from the Post...

He is still expected to plead guilty Friday in front of D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert E. Morin. His court appearance is scheduled for 2:30...

Arenas was charged with "carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business." That's a big no-no in the District...

The charges were filed in D.C. Superior Court in an "information," a document that generally signals a plea deal. The charge came directly from prosecutors and not in the form of an indictment.

ABC7's Courtney Robinson stands in the dark for her Superior Court live shot for an early-morning, man-on-the-street piece...

Felony 1 Agent Zero

((HT: MyFoxDC))

After a day of legal wrangling between legal representatives of Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas and District of Columbia police, it appears Zero is now a felon-in-waiting...

Here's the charging document from DC Superior Court...

He was charged with one count carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, a felony that carries a five-year prison sentence per count.

Arenas is expected at a hearing on Friday at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Robert E. Morin in D.C. Superior Court.

Earlier Thursday, Javaris Crittenton's apartment was searched. Nothing was taken from the place, but a warrant obtained by D.C. Police said authorities were searching for a gun.

Crittenton denies having been involved in the gun incident. Charges have not been filed against him.

Because, as the HQ is fairly certain, the DC authorities will always be looking for an eyewitness to their case against Arenas. It will either be Crittenton or fellow teammates that get to raise their right hand in the case...

Here's coverage from our friends at WTTG-TV and MyFox DC...
Paul Wagner starts ever-popular team coverage...


Remember, Arenas has pled guilty to another gun charge in the past back in the state of Cailfornia. Not a good precedent for the case before DC courts...

Agent 0 Suspended...Gilbert Arenas Gone Indefinitely

*****BREAKING NEWS****

The NBA, in particular, Commissioner David Stern has suspended Washington Wizards Guard Gilbert Arenas indefinitely beginning this afternoon.

The story from the Washington Post RIGHT HERE

((Gilbert Arenas Photo//Courtesy: sacbee.com))

Arenas, who often fancies himself as a character he calls "Agent Zero", got in trouble over the weekend after word leaked out about an incident in the Wizards locker room where both he and teammate Javaris Crittenton appeared to have pulled guns on each other.

The incident is still under investigation by several law enforcement orginizations though Stern, in his statement requested the Wizards to "Refrain from taking any action".

The NBA is still investigating the incident, so don't assume that this will be the last that you hear about it.

It's been a busy day for Dave Feldman and our friends at MyFoxDC, hasn't it...???


We thought we'd end this particular update with the photo off to our right...

Arenas, we guess at the HQ, is trying to be funny or something with this particular pose during last night's pre-game introductions...

It may be very punny, but the timing couldn't be worse there, Zero...

The full text of the Commissioner's statement is here...

((Agent Zero has his guns drawn, thanks NBAE/Getty, Garrabrant))

Gilbert Arenas tries to really be Agent Zero

The never ending "Bizarro" world inhabited by Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas got a little stranger recently. Apparently, the self-proclaimed "Agent Zero" got into a dispute with teammate Javaris Crittenton. The dispute got heated enough, that somehow, from somewhere, both players pulled guns.

((Agent Zero himself//Courtesy: NBAE/Getty Images))

The story from the New York Post RIGHT HERE.

There are way too many questions here to answer in one story. The obvious one would be "How did they have guns in the locker room?". Apparently, according to friends of Crittenton, the argument was over a gambling debt of some sorts.

Also, the report the Post uncovered goes on to say that the Wizards announced on Christmas Day that Arenas had admitted to bringing guns to the locker room. Why...we don't know. Needless to say the Wizards...and the NBA are none too pleased about this and are investigating both the incident and how the guns made it to the locker rooms.

Needless to say, we are guessing this story will have some legs and be followed up on at some point...so stay tuned.

Here is Gilbert doing what Gilbert should concentrate on doing...playing basketball really well. Thanks NBA Entertainment/You Tube:

Abe Pollin passes away

One of the true "Old School" of Professional Sports owners passed away early this afternoon. Abe Pollin, 85 years old and the owner of the Washington Wizards and former owner of the Washington Capitals passed away after losing his battle with a rare neurological disease.

More from the Washington Post RIGHT HERE
For those of you who prefer the Washington Times, there story is RIGHT HERE

Pollin had a huge impact on the Sports landscape in the nation's capitol. Along with owning 2 franchises at one point, he was the driving force behind the teams getting a downtown arena built. He was lucky enough to see his NBA team win a title in the 1970's and the Hockey team made it to the Stanley Cup in 1998, he sold the team to Ted Leonis the next year.

More from WJLA-TV: RIGHT HERE

Saunders To Coach Wizards

((HT: Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo Sports))

Flip Saunders has reached a verbal agreement on a four-year, $18 million contract to become coach of the Washington Wizards, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Monday.

While terms have been agreed upon, sources says, the deal won’t be finalized until Saunders ((pictured, thanks sportshernia.com)) returns a signed contract to Washington. Nevertheless, the two sides have completed most of the negotiations.

Saunders was telling associates on Monday that he is accepting the job, and team officials are planning to introduce him at a news conference early next week.

Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld and assistant GM Tommy Sheppard have been courting Saunders for several months, and sources say that the framework of an agreement has been in place since the All-Star break. They wanted badly for a veteran coach to take over the Wizards, who have the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 19-61. Nevertheless, the return of Gilbert Arenas to rejoin Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison – coupled with the possibility of the No. 1 overall pick in June’s draft – makes the Wizards an attractive job. If Arenas can return to past form, the Wizards should make a swift return to the playoffs next year.

In his 13 seasons as coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons, Saunders won 50 games seven times and advanced four times to the conference finals. After taking the Pistons to three straight Eastern Conference finals, Saunders was fired at the end of last season. He has a career record of 587-396 (.597).

Saunders will replace interim coach Ed Tapscott, who is expected to return to the Wizards’ front office. Former Washington coach Eddie Jordan, who was fired in December, has emerged as the top candidate with the Sacramento Kings.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that Saunders plans to hire veteran NBA guard Sam Cassell as an assistant coach.