I am appreciative of Javaris Crittenton's role in bringing Pau Gasol to Los Angeles, but do not agree with the role he has played in the Washington Wizard gun controversy that began December 21st in the Wizards' locker room. In comparison to what Gilbert Arenas received, a much watered down punishment was given to Crittenton. Both NBA athletes were charged by the state of Washington with forms of gun possesion but somehow Arenas ended with a felony gun charge as well as a much harsher punishment then even possible for Crittenton. Whether or not the guns served as props during an altercation similar to an older western shootout, or the guns were the threat followed by a note in the locker room..no accounts can deem one side more responsible then the other. With this being the case, I can't help but wonder if Javaris Crittenton sold out his teammate to cover his tracks or Gilbert Arenas is yet another star who is being used as an example.
Arenas is a three-time-all-star who has averaged as high as 30 points per game, 10 assists per game and 4 rebounds per game. Crittenton averaged as many as 7 points per game, 2 assists per game, and 3 rebounds per game before Arenas was out of the lineup. Arenas was adored by the fans and given special nicknames. Similar to the relationship between Plaxico Burress and his New York fans ..that of a local star, that of a league star. Crittenton's relationship with those of Washington is similar to the relationship between Cleveland Brown fans and Donte Stallworth. Stallworth was the receiver responsible for the DUI that ended the life of a Miami Beach citizen on March of 2009. Donte Stallworth was suspended from the NFL indefinitely but received a legal sentence of only 30 days in jail and a lifetime ban of his license.
Both Crittenton and Stallworth spent limited time at their organizations before finding themselves in trouble. Both Crittenton and Stallworth were not as recognizable as the stars from their newly joined teams. On the Contrary- both Arenas and Burress were in fact the face of their organizations and had been for more then 3 years. The publicity and stress placed upon the two cases that have each ended in felony gun charges is ironic or coincidental.
The irony poses a question of logic and judgement from the defendants, but also a strong questioning of the justice system in relation to status. Had Crittenton been held to a higher standard of perfection through the media his punishment would have been less severe. Rather then credit Crittenton's attorney or Crittenton's idea to sell Arenas out..I credit Crittenton's punishment to his lack of talent.
