Stern tells Arenas to not discuss gun incident
NBA commissioner David Stern told Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas to not discuss the locker-room incident in which Arenas brought guns to the Verizon Center in December.
Arenas, who served a 50-game suspension for the incident, spoke with Stern about letting the issue go and moving forward.
“It's time to move on, rather than obsess about the past,” Stern said Wednesday.
"I said, 'You know what Gilbert, I just want to tell you, I'm delighted to have you back, you've paid a heavy price, but you're in good standing and, as far as I'm concerned, you should be talking only about the future and not about the past. And if
anyone asks you why, you can say the commissioner told you,' " Stern said.
Arenas pleased guilty in December after having a dispute with Wizard guard Javaris Crittenton.
Kurt Kelh, the spokesman of the Wizards, released a statement soon after the meeting.
"The commissioner advised and suggested that Gilbert, the Wizards and Ted [Leonsis, Wizards owner] look forward and not look back, and Ted agreed with that advice and suggestion," Kehl said. "The idea of being fined was never intimated to him at all."
Leonsis is ready for the season to begin. A lot is expected out of the Wizards after drafting John Wall first overall in the 2010 NBA draft.
"He's excited about the upcoming season and I want to do nothing that gets in the way of his passion and excitement and love for the game and for the fans," Leonsis said. "The best way to re-bond with the fans is to play well. And people will sense
right away, whether or not he's back. I can't talk about it, he can't talk about it, he has to do it. And what I've seen, I've been very impressed."
Leonsis hopes questions are directed towards basketball and not the issue that stormed the league.
"It doesn't serve anyone's interest to have Gilbert talking about what happened a year ago when the focus should be on the new season," Leonsis said. "How will Gilbert work with John Wall? I think that's fair game. 'Are you healthy? Are you excited
about playing again? How do you think this team has been constructed?' That's all fair game, but to talk about other matters in the past doesn't help the league or the team."
Arenas has only participated in 47 games over the last three seasons due to suspension and injuries. Arenas enters the season healthy and will likely start at shooting guard with Wall at point guard. The Wizards open the season on 5 October at Dallas.
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