Larry Brown Sports » Gilbert Arenas

Agent Zero Returns to Assassin Mode

Larry Brown — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:52:05 +0000

Here at LBS, we’re generally some of the biggest Agent Zero fans on the web. We’re only lukewarm on Gilbert Arenas, but we love Agent Zero. The problem is that following three knee surgeries and nearly two years off, Arenas has changed his demeanor and mannerisms. Gil started off by shutting down his ever popular blog, announcing a boycott of the media, and he changed his aggressive, scoring style to a pass-first distribution game. I don’t like that Gilbert very much, and neither do the Wizards considering that attitude has resulted in a highly disappointing 8-16 start. But on Friday afternoon, in an interview with Yahoo! Sports, Gil admitted the world misses and needs some Agent Zero, and most importantly, so do the Wizards:

“My mind is not in killer mode,” Arenas told Yahoo! Sports. “I haven’t thought killer in two years. It’s like I’ve been laid off. It’s like getting an assassin, putting him in a box and making him watch TV. He can’t go back to straight killing. Now he has a conscience. Before, I didn’t.

“I just got to play. Play, play, play and get frustrated on the court.”

That’s part of Gil’s new attitude towards distributing the ball and playing like a pass-first point guard. It’s even resulted in heavy criticism from coach Flip Saunders who says you can’t just decide you’re going to get more assists, you have to take what comes. I think it’s the concerted effort to gain assists that has resulted in so many turnovers and far less points from Gil. It seems like Zero took his own advice prior to Friday night’s game against the Advil of NBA defenses — the Warriors. Arenas attempted 25 shots (3rd highest for him on the year) and he attacked the basket, getting to the line a season-high 16 times. Sure, it was against Golden State’s (loosely-termed) defense, but it’s nevertheless one of the best signs for Washington all season. I hope Gilbert has learned his lesson; more Agent Zero, less Gilbert Arenas.

Shaunie O’Neal Files for Divorce, Shaq Cheating with Gilbert Arenas’ Fiance?

Larry Brown — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:19:22 +0000

There was chatter around the internet last week that Shaq was having an affair with Gilbert Arenas’ fiance, Laura Govan. I never posted on the rumors because I didn’t consider the reports to be concrete, but the latest twist in the up-and-down relationship between Shaq and his wife Shaunie, leads me to believe the report was true. TMZ is saying that Shaunie filed for a separation in California, citing irreconcilable differences. Filing for a separation is just a precursor for an impending divorce.

As stated above, Shaq and Shaunie have previously had relationship problems. First Kobe blurted out to the police that Shaq pays his women off, then a women accused Shaq of stalking her, and apparently Shaq wanted to file for divorce after it was alleged Shaunie cheated on him. It’s just one big mess but now it seems like things are finally over. TMZ is suggesting that Shaunie’s all about the money and that’s why she went to California to file her papers. It’s pretty simple; in California, common law states that all property is half of each person, so that bodes well for Shaunie in the case of separation.

Gilbert Arenas Is Hanging Up the Keyboard, No More Blogging

Larry Brown — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:57:29 +0000

They say all good things must come to an end. I guess that would also include Gilbert Arenas’ blogging. Gilbert was the pioneer in the field — the first athlete to use and popularize a blog/internet as a means of reaching out to fans and building a base of support. At first what started out as just funny stories and excellent humor turned out to be a tool that divided a team and gave the rest of the league fits. While the blog got Gilbert known amongst sports fans, it helped build up Gilbert’s reputation as a loudmouth/showboater. That’s part of the reason he’s shutting things down:

“I started looking at it as, before, it was fun, and everybody has fun reading it. And then it’s like everything I said, everybody started using it as firepower, instead of saying it’s just entertainment. You know, people started using it, trying to take bits and pieces instead of enjoying the blog,” the three-time All-Star said. “So once I started seeing that, I just started visualizing, eventually, this is going to be the double-(edged) sword thing. It made me and it’s going to kill me, so I might as well stop.”

I’m glad Gilbert did realize this and put an end to it. He was riding high for a period there but when he predicted a monstrous game against the Blazers and then stunk up the joint he looked pretty bad. It’s also hard for a guy who’s been out as long as he has to talk crap or try to gain publicity. When you’re averaging 25 a game, as Alvin Gentry said, you can do anything you want. But when your game isn’t strong and you have nothing on the court to back up your words, you don’t have the right to talk. I bet that’s a big part of it for Gil. Also, with guys like Shaq and Charlie Villanueva making news twittering, it’s probably best that Gil leaves now, knowing he was the one who blazed the path. Now the game is too crowded and just simply old.

Gilbert Arenas Marrying Girlfriend Laura Govan After Seven Years Together

Larry Brown — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:52:35 +0000

ALSO SEE: Laura Govan’s alleged affair with Shaq results in O’Neal divorce

Agent Zero may have had his run of awful news lately — three knee surgeries in the last two seasons — but at least he’s going to bookend it with some good news. Gilbert Arenas will be marrying girlfriend Laura Govan, as he got engaged over the weekend. For some background info:

“Life is about growth and getting smarter about the choices we make,” Arenas said in an e-mail. “Being a husband and father will require both of those!”
…
They met in 2001, when he was a Golden State Warriors draft pick and she was doing PR for the Sacramento Kings. They split two years later but clearly stayed in touch: He was by her side when she delivered their daughter, Izela Semaya, in December 2005. And then a messy paternity dispute — lawyers, ducked subpoenas, the whole catastrophe — that they somehow worked through. He moved her to NoVa in ‘06, and in March ‘07, she had his son, Alijah Amani.

Gilbert has said before that he was off the market, so I’ll guess he was referring to Laura. The sad thing is Gilbert won’t be able to throw any blowout parties in his Playboy pool as a bachelor. What’s the point of having a pimped out pool like that if you can’t use it to your advantage? And one question: when he does get married, will Gilbert be hobbling to the alter on crutches?

Gilbert Arenas Is Making Good Use of His New Contract

Larry Brown — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:01:03 +0000

OK, so I realize that Gil was talking about building a replica of the Playboy Mansion pool at his house before signing his new deal, but it just makes it more fun to say it this way. Anyway, DC Sports Bog was able to snag some photos of Gil’s highly hyped lagoon. Check out the pics of this million-dollar bad boy in its preliminary state:

Here are a few fast facts about the pool:

* The stone for the “mountain” cost nearly half a million dollars.

* There are three different fish tanks, one going in the “grotto,” one in the front hall, and one in the basement. Their normal retail price would have been about another half-million.

* The tank in the basement will have a recess with a couch in it so Gil can “relax and look up at the fish.”

* The work is scheduled to be finished in August.

That’s pretty clutch right there. Never have I wanted to be invited to someone’s place more than Gil’s (Playboy Mansion comes a close second). More pics after the jump

Like I said, good use of $111 million. Via Ballhype.

Wizards Handcuffed by Gilbert Arenas

Larry Brown — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:10:15 +0000

Come Tuesday, Gilbert Arenas will either be locked up by the Wizards for six years at max money or near max money, or he’ll be on his way to China for an Adidas promotional tour sans contract. The issue for the Wizards, as I see it, is that they’re more or less handcuffed by Arenas. If there are 30 teams in the NBA, I’m guessing there’s at least one other team out there willing to give Arenas max money, but to me, the Wizards are almost obligated to give him that money. Gil’s a superstar in that town — the most popular athlete in DC. It’s not even a question of whether or not they think Gil can lead them to a title and be the star on a championship team. It’s about keeping him in D.C. and keeping the fans happy.

Sure, having a winning team also keeps the fans happy, and they’ll get that from the Wizards. The team is good enough to reach the playoffs consistently, even in a year when Arenas and Caron Butler were both hurt. But are they a title team? Probably not, as long as they don’t have a legitimate big man, which they haven’t had since the bringing the Arenas/Jamison/Butler trio together. So the big issue handcuffing the Wizards is Arenas’ knee. He missed almost all of this past season since shredding it up two seasons ago and he didn’t look anywhere near how he was at his peak. Gil compounded matters by trying to return from the initial surgery too quickly and was forced to have a second surgery. He might never be the same if those few games he played down the stretch were any indication. He doesn’t have the same quickness or agility — the traits that made him stand out against opposing players. It’s a gamble for the Wizards, but it’s one they pretty much have to take. (And one Gilbert can certainly repay them for).

Gilbert Already Talking Smack on Cavs

Larry Brown — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:45:20 +0000

Gilbert being Gilbert once again decided to go out on a limb and say something in his blog he probably would have been best off keeping to himself. Ordinarily I’m in favor of Gil speaking his mind because it brings us that much closer to him as fans. But if I were his coach and teammates, I’d be certifiably pissed about his latest words.

I think everybody wants Cleveland in that first round. They’ve been a .500 team ever since they made that trade and everybody wants a chance at that matchup.

We want Cleveland for our own reasons, we don’t think they can beat us in the playoffs three years straight. It’s hard to beat a team three years straight. We want to try our luck.

Come on, Gilbert. What are you thinking? Giving Cleveland bulletin board material entering a playoff series? And honestly Gil, the Cavs have owned you; you have no right to speak. Maybe there was a slight chance Cleveland overlooked Washington because they had beaten them two years in a row had Gilbert kept his mouth shut. Now? Gil’s awakened a sleeping giant. Arenas has nothing left but to deliver after making these remarks.

Gilbert Arenas Willing to Take Pay Cut

Larry Brown — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:01:01 +0000

As is often the case, I am a little late to this party. While in LA over the weekend for the Wizards/Lakers game on Sunday, Gilbert got to talking contract. He offered something that you don’t see many athletes doing these days — to take a pay cut:

“I want to see Antawn taken care of first and then I’ll take the pay cut to keep the team intact.
…
We know what’s in jeopardy so, you know, I told him whatever he wants, give it to him and I’ll take the pay cut. I know what he does. He’s a part of my success and I’m a part of his success so we have this one-two combination that works in this league. We know we make each other better. Someone has to sacrifice. This might be one of his last contracts so I’ll sacrifice and hopefully I’ll get another at the end of the day and if I don’t, I know I did the right thing.”

I don’t know how you could possibly take this as anything other than a guy being generous. I know it’s hard to turn down money when you can get it, but maybe Gil figures he’s earned plenty from his current contract as well as his endorsements. If that’s the case, more power to him. And it’s not like Gil is the type of guy to do something just for his image. He means what he says and I believe him on this. It’s quite honorable and really makes him the true team player.

Gilbert Collaborates with Benihana on New Hibachi Shoe

Larry Brown — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:04:55 +0000

Man, even while injured, the dude still makes great headlines. He’s had some shoes with Adidas now for a few years, and they’re starting to expand into the customizations realm. For instance, Gil and Adidas released a special edition Halo version of the Gil II Zeros in honor of the popular video game. While Gil told us to head out to certain shoes stores to pick up the special edition Gil II’s, I couldn’t find em at the LA stores. We might have to fix that problem considering Gil’s latest sneaker — the Hibachis are being released:

Unfortunately for me, only 1,000 are being made, and they’re only available in DC. And if I do say so myself, the kicks sound a lot cooler than they look. Not the best of the limited edition Gil II Zero’s. I think my fave is the one that has the erasable wet/dry board on it. Now that is sick. Thanks to Kicks On Fire for the pic.

Gilbert Arenas Knows Real Pain

Larry Brown — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:47:01 +0000

Once again, for I dunno, the hundred millionth time, Gil proves to us why he is the greatest athlete on Earth. From the watchful eye of Agent Steinz, past whom nothing escapes, including the wrath of Gilbert’s razor, comes this anecdote. Here’s Gilbert on the worst pain he’s felt, in an interview with Men’s Journal:

“When I was new in the NBA the team veterans convinced me to shave, you know, down there, because they said the hair stinks. I used my girlfriend’s razor, which was rusty and gave me keloids. The doctor prescribed medicine to dab on, but I just poured it all over. Three days later I woke up screaming. The skin was burnt off my scrotum, down to my crack, everything — just raw flesh. I still had to run and play, so I used a numbing spray for a month until it healed. Now I use clippers.”

And now if I may, steal a line from Marcel Mutoni of Slam Online — Gilbert Arenas: Where Too Much Information Happens. Now that is one funny story. And that’s what makes Gilbert great. (and he also probably just got a bunch of men thinking, too)

(via Ballhype)

Larry Brown Sports » Gilbert Arenas

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