This is just a snippet, there's a lot more to read http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6083003244.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas is frustrated about not being on the U.S. national team playing in the FIBA World Championship and said he believes he was not given a fair tryout. When Arenas left the squad on Aug. 14, national team managing director Jerry Colangelo said it was because Arenas had an injured groin. But in his first comments since then, Arenas, the Wizards' leading scorer and a two-time all-star, said he didn't think he was going to make the 12-man roster and that the injury became an excuse to part ways. "No joke, I felt like I was the 16th man on a 15-man roster," Arenas said. "You are there to support your team and support your country and be happy to play but you know, I did everything they wanted me to do; but if I did everything they wanted me to do, why am I on the bubble of getting cut? I sacrificed. You've got LeBron being LeBron. You've got Carmelo being Carmelo. You've got D-Wade being D-Wade. Why can't I be me? Why do I have to transform? I did that and now you are going to cut me?"</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6083003244.html</div> Screw them Gilbert, they can go to hell. Save it all for the league & kick everyones as$!! Your the man & everyone knows it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Apparently he didn't get the memo that USA basketball wanted a TEAM this time.</div> He's not a team player? LMAO. Ummm...ok!
He says when they play Phoenix or Portland he will give it all and try to score 100 points in both games, man hes really mad, I guess both teams really have to have a different gameplan against the Wizards
I'd be a little ticked off as well if my country said that I got "cut" from their team. Then again, this will probably motivate him even more and he'll just tear the NBA a new one. Which is a good thing. I do think that it was the right choice for the US to cut him though. If you're going to suck, then no excuses right? "LeBron being LeBron" and "Melo being Melo" is actually helping the team win, so I'm all up for him being cut. Read his final quote: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I'm going to be the silent assassin this year," he said. "I can't wait to play the Suns and Portland. Against Portland, Nate McMillan, I'm going to try to score 100 in two games and against D'Antoni, I'm going to score 100 in two games. I'm going to try."</div> Gotta love Gilbert.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LRVBADASSBALLIN:</div><div class="quote_post">He's not a team player? LMAO. Ummm...ok!</div> "Why can't I be me? Why do I have to transform? I did that and now you are going to cut me?"
That doesn't say he's not a team player, he's just angry that he tried to be the defensive guy that didn't take shots unless open, and with him being cut, I guess they still weren't happy with him. Carmelo and Lebron were getting to play their games offensively, and score like they like to, but he had to change, and it wasn't good enough. I don't really think Arenas scoring the way he wants to would've hurt the team at all, but they just didn't need another scorer. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"The disappointing part was talking to Colangelo and he said, 'I heard you want to go home,' " Arenas said. "I told him that I was hurt but I didn't know how serious it was and that I didn't want to hold up a spot for somebody else. He told me, 'I've been talking to the coaches and you're on the bubble anyway, so you can go if you want.' I was like, all right."</div> I thought the previous theory was that he faked the injury because he knew he would get cut?
Ha I knew Arenas getting cut wasn't because of the injury! Arenas is a big time player and for him to get cut in team USA can ruin his basketball career so what better way to cut a big time player but injury? defenitely it is an excuse. But well, Arenas' game doesn't fit with what the USA is trying to build which is a TEAM. Arenas has too much ego, too much hatred, too much vengeance that if his opponent knocks down a 3 on him, he will try to go back and nail a 3 back at him which is NOT what Coach K wanted as evidenced when they were playing Puerto Rico in an exhibition game.
Arenas is mainly a scorer, a dwyane wade with more shooting range but less overall skills. He wouldn't really fit the mould, team usa already has scorers they need playmakers and D more.
Arenas should have been on the team. He is one of the most underatted players in the game. He is as good as Paul Pierce, maybe even better.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> He is as good as Paul Pierce, maybe even better. </div> You make that claim because...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Junoon:</div><div class="quote_post">You make that claim because...</div> He's not at T-Mac or VC's level yet, but he's getting there. This year he will be a top 10 player.
I feel for Arenas, b/c I often said 'where is arenas' when they were playing in the exhibition games, he did get the least amount of mins. And I do realize that they were trying to put together a team w/ some chemistry but I don't think he did get a fair try, b/c they barely played him at all. But at the same time, as hard as it may be, he probably should have stayed quit b/c we all know how they tried to ruin carmelo's image when he complained about the lack of mins. Also, to be apart of the USA team you do have to sacrifice alot, which I think is hard for all of these players b/c they are used to being the go-to-guy or 2nd option on their NBA teams. I mean look at his teammate a. jamison, I think he's top 15-20 in the league but he's barely played at all in the tournament!!
Lets be real here. Gilbert had to change his game because with wade lebron and melo we dont need a scoring PG. Hinrich isnt playing his game. hes doing what the team needs and thats playing great d and finding open players. Gilbert is a pure scorer. we dont need another scorer we needed a role player. When you want to play for your country you do whats good for the team. For him to come out with this statement during the most important part of the world championships shows that hes not a part of the team. Because if he was a true team player he would've kept that comment to himself. And at least if he really wanted to say somthing he couldve waited until the games were over. This does nothing but distract the usa team on the same day as the game vs greese. Gilbert just thinks hes a s good as Wade Melo and Bron so he wants the same treatment. To me his timing with this comment show a lack of maturity.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting michiganave17:</div><div class="quote_post">Lets be real here. Gilbert had to change his game because with wade lebron and melo we dont need a scoring PG. Hinrich isnt playing his game. hes doing what the team needs and thats playing great d and finding open players. Gilbert is a pure scorer. we dont need another scorer we needed a role player. When you want to play for your country you do whats good for the team. For him to come out with this statement during the most important part of the world championships shows that hes not a part of the team. Because if he was a true team player he would've kept that comment to himself. And at least if he really wanted to say somthing he couldve waited until the games were over. This does nothing but distract the usa team on the same day as the game vs greese. Gilbert just thinks hes a s good as Wade Melo and Bron so he wants the same treatment. To me his timing with this comment show a lack of maturity.</div> I have the exact same feelings. Seems like Arenas has a little growing up to do. He always has this chip on his shoulder and his "me against the world" attitude. It's obvious he didn't want to be a team player in the first place. He pretended to be one to get on the team and then complains about having to play like that after he's cut. With an atitude like that, it's no wonder he was left off the team. He's a very good player but he shouldn't compare himself to LeBron or Wade. They're on another level.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting vcwannabe15:</div><div class="quote_post">He's not at T-Mac or VC's level yet, but he's getting there. This year he will be a top 10 player.</div> Not to go off topic, but Paul Pierce > Vince Carter and Mcgrady/Pierce is arguable. As far as Arenas goes I guess we all know he wasn't really injured now.
Let me be devil's advocate here... He does have a 58 TS% and almost 24 in PER. That is higher than Melo, in fact, it is top ten PER. I can see where he is coming from, his comments are a bit harsh but it is possible he didn't get enough minutes to showcase his talents. Or he slumped at the wrong time. He should be given another chance if he somewhat retracts those comments.
Playing in Team USA is a lot like playing on an All-Star team: -if you want the ball, REBOUND IT! If it's a def. board, bring it up...play with a mentality that everything is a miss... you have to be agressive on the boards cuz there's no telling how many times you will touch the ball in a game, especially when minutes are shared with 12 players. -if you want to see the ball in the half-court set, get open or try a back door play to get an easy layup/dunk. If you're in position to score, your teammate will find you and hit you with the pass. Even though USA is loaded with Guards, Arenas has yet to grasp playing in a team where he's not a top 3 option.
