Le Basketbawl

It is tough going walking through life with a bad attitude; Your Old Pal New York Vinnie knows all too well because that is how I spent a lot of years. I lost My Moms God Rest Her Soul back when I was 12 years old after she lost a tough battle to Cancer. For many, many years after that New York Vinnie was nothing but a Bitter PUD taking out his anger on the entire Planet.

Now New York Vinnie’s Guardian Angel must have been watching out for me because in my mid-twenties New York Vinnie met His Doll. She is the one who turned me around; she is the one that convinced me My Moms would not be happy with the way I was conducting myself. The change did not occur over night but slowly and surely New York Vinnie’s Doll got me back on the straight and narrow and taught me how to enjoy life again.

The reason that New York Vinnie is telling you about some of his toughest times is a story that the “Sporting News” has reported on the Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas. Arenas has gone through some very frustrating moments over the last couple of years as he tried to come back from surgery on his left knee.

Arenas has had numerous operations but complications kept setting him back and resulted in him playing just 15 games over the last two seasons. It truly has been a shame because Arenas when healthy has been an elite player in the NBA; but when your body won’t cooperate there is not much you can do. 

The “Sporting News” spoke with Arenas teammate Antawn Jamison who told the magazine that Arenas was not only looking forward to playing at full strength this year; he was looking for revenge as well. Jamison told the magazine “I think people are going to be shocked by where he is, by how ready he is to play. There is going to be rust, of course, but he is going to be ready. I think sitting out for two years has really motivated him. I know Gilbert, and the guy loves basketball about as much as anyone I know. It’s killed him to be out this long. Plus, the criticism and all of that, he has listened to it, he has taken it. Now he wants some payback.”

Now New York Vinnie is going to be straight with you as I always am; I have never heard one bit of criticism directed at Gilbert Arenas because of his injuries. Getting hurt is part of being a Pro Player it eventually effects most players at one time or another. Now if a player gets hurt on a moped like that Frickin Einstein Monta Ellis did he will be ripped and deservedly so. However if a player gets hurt in a game only a PUD with no heart would criticize the player.

Now if Arenas is using this as a ploy to get himself pumped for the upcoming season that is cool; New York Vinnie understands self-motivation. How ever if he truly believes that he was unfairly criticized while he was hurt then he is just being paranoid. NBA Fans will crucify you if they see lack of effort; but for someone who has battled back from injury the way Agent Zero has fans will show nothing but respect. So lose the attitude Gilbert and go back and learn how to enjoy the game again!