NBA Basketball Sports Fan Blog» Washington Wizards

Wizards win lottery; favored Nets 3rd

GameSetMatch — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:55:16 +0000

With his championship ring on her hand and her late husband’s dreams of another on her mind, Irene Pollin stood in shock as the Washington Wizards won the draft lottery.

Towering over her to the side, Mikhail Prokhorov watched the New Jersey Nets lose yet again.

The Wizards won the draft lottery Tuesday night, moving up from the No. 5 spot to earn the top pick in next month’s draft, when it will likely choose between Kentucky freshman John Wall and national player of the year Evan Turner of Ohio State.

Washington was represented by Irene Pollin, who wore the 1978 Bullets championship ring of her late husband, longtime owner Abe Pollin. When the Wizards pulled off the surprising win, her jaw dropped and appeared to mouth ‘Oh my God!!’ with wide eyes.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Stern bans Arenas, Crittenton for year

GameSetMatch — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:36:53 +0000

NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Washington Wizards guards Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton for the remainder of the NBA season Wednesday, and ESPN.com learned that Arenas has agreed not to appeal the punishment.

Stern’s disciplinary actions were announced Wednesday afternoon after Arenas met face-to-face with Stern for the first time since the gun incident that put Arenas’ future with the Wizards in doubt.

The Washington Post first reported the length of the Arenas suspension, and a source with knowledge of the meeting told ESPN.com that Arenas told Stern that he expected and deserved to be suspended for the rest of the season.

Another source divulged to ESPN that Crittenton has not yet agreed to accept the suspension and that his counsel and the players union are in discussions on how they might challenge it.

Click here to read the full article – By Marc Stein and Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com

Report: Arenas reaches plea agreement

GameSetMatch — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:09:39 +0000

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas has been charged with a felony in connection with last month’s locker room confrontation with a teammate.

But, Arenas has reached a plea agreement that would result in little or no jail time, several sources close to the case told The Washington Post. The newspaper had reported if convicted, Arenas could face a maximum five years in jail and a fine.

Arenas is expected to plead guilty Friday afternoon before D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert E. Morin, The Post reported. His court appearance is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.

Arenas, who last week was suspended indefinitely without pay by NBA commissioner David Stern, was charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

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.

“We are aware of the charge filed against Gilbert Arenas today and will continue to follow the ongoing legal process very carefully,” the Wizards said in a statement issued Thursday. “We will also continue to cooperate fully with the proper authorities and the NBA.”

Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com