NBA suspends Gilbert Arenas indefinitely over gun possession

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NBA Commissioner David Stern today suspended Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas indefinitely and without pay because of his possession of firearms.

‘Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA,’ Stern said in a statement.

Last week, published reports said that Arenas brought guns into the Wizards’ locker room after a dispute over a gambling debt that involved teammate Javaris Crittenton.

Arenas later told authorities that he brought unloaded guns to the locker room to keep them away from his children. His attorney said Arenas ‘misinterpreted D.C.’s stringent gun laws...in a misguided effort to play a joke on a teammate.’

Last night Arenas scored 19 points as the Wizards’ came from 18-points down to beat the 76ers, 104-97. Arenas, a three-time All-Star who grew up in Van Nuys, is averaging 22.6 points a game this season.

After Tuesday’s game, Arenas would not give details about the locker room gun incident, saying, ‘I have loyalty to my teammates...We know what’s out there is so far from the truth,’ he told reporters.

Various reports in Washington have said that prosecutors will convene a grand jury to look into the gun incident. Arenas was asked who he feared the most, prosecutors or David Stern.

‘I mean, Stern is mean,’ Arenas replied.

--Barry Stavro