Gilbert Shuts It Down

Any surprises left from the Wizards? Sure, why not one more.

Gilbert Arenas will not play in Game 5 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight, and said his injured left knee will not permit him to play again this season. "I'm done," he said.

"My leg wasn't recovering fast enough each game," he said before tonight's game. "It still wasn't recovering. The nerve pinch just came out of the blue; you know, the swelling and the achiness, it hadn't affected that, but the nerve pain, each step feels like you're hitting my funny bone. Eventually that was wearing and tearing, and it's not going anywhere."

Arenas said he took a pain-killing shot before Game 4 on Sunday, but he was still limited in Washington's loss.100-97 loss. During the playoffs he was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in the knee, which further hampered his play.

He has long said he plans to opt out of his contract at the end of this season; he declined to discuss his future plans today, and said he would serve as a "cheerleader" as the Wizards attempt to preserve their season.

"It's frustrating because I was willing to do anything; I end up taking the shot, taking four different kinds of pain pills, Vicodin, I sound like a drug addict just to play in the game, and it still doesn't work," he said. "We just have to go back and start rehabbing it again and get ready for next season."

Much more from Ivan Carter and the rest of the boys in the near future, but Gilbert reiterated that even if the team advances to the second round or even beyond, he would not play again this season.

He also said he will do one more blog post, and then end the blogging phase of his career as well.

By Dan Steinberg | April 30, 2008; 5:09 PM ET | Category: Wizards
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Eddie Jordan played Gilbert 32 minutes after Gil took a painkilling shot??? Why am I not surprised?

Posted by: | April 30, 2008 5:21 PM

I love Gil but I wish he would have shut it down last game. I understand he's a competitor and he wants to play but at some point he had to realize he was hurting his team and he wasn't contributing anything.

I hope last Sunday wasn't the last time we saw Gil in a Wiz uni. We owe him a lot the past couple of seasons and I'm confident the Hibachi will warm up again after an offseason of proper rehab.

Posted by: G20 FdaCowboys | April 30, 2008 5:28 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Say it aint so, gilbert! We want your blog!

Posted by: sven | April 30, 2008 5:35 PM

I love you Gil, but it would've been nice to have had this information BEFORE i bet the house on the Wiz tonight...

Posted by: Barno | April 30, 2008 5:35 PM

Hey Gilbert!
Nice way to bow out before the big game. Not that your teammates should mind, since they play better without you! You couldn't make free throws that counted when your legs were fine, so why expect anything to be any better now, huh?

Why don't you go ahead and clean out the team locker room and practice facility, because Caren, Antwanna, Brenda, DeShawna and the rest of your girls are done after tonight's game, too!

Have fun thinking about how you got PUNKED again by the Cleveland Cavaliers!

MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Posted by: B'Bye Wiz! | April 30, 2008 5:42 PM

Ironic that Gibert is now relegated to being a 'cheerleader', since he is a vagina and all . . . .

Posted by: Cleveland Rocks | April 30, 2008 5:44 PM

Hmmm. Think he'll get a max offer while hurt?

Eh we shouldn't be thinking about this yet. I think the Wizards still have a shot against Cleveland.

Posted by: Patrick | April 30, 2008 5:44 PM

I like Gilbert and hope he stays a Wizard. I've also liked what Eddie Jordan has done most of the time. However, I think coaching is what let the wizards down this time around. Lots of bad choices on his part. Plus, lots of bad shots, poor defense and a generally lackadaisical attitude by the players- with noted exceptions. Then you've got this total joke of stevenson, what a knucklehead. Taunt if/when you learn how to win. lebron has the whole teams number.

Posted by: | April 30, 2008 5:44 PM

I guess Eddie could possibly save himself from himself with this. Like I maintain, shortening the bench was a bad decision. All of you fans who believe Gilbert is hurting chemistry, you wish has been granted. With this team, it is simple math 2 will always be less than 3. Defend the three, the Wizards will win by 8 or more tonight. Allow the three and the fans get to meet the new coach within the next week.

Posted by: SkinzNWiz | April 30, 2008 5:48 PM

B'Bye Wiz!

Kind of like how the cavs got punked by San Antonio. 4-0!!! Swept under the rug like the one man show they are. The same thing will happen this year only it will be before they even get to the finals.

Posted by: | April 30, 2008 6:00 PM

"DeShawna," "vagina" ..... I gotta say I wish I could take back all the time I've wasted reading these lowest common denominator comments. I'm not in the least offended, just disappointed in the lack of creativity.

Posted by: Patrick | April 30, 2008 6:04 PM

Since they are losing tonight, Gil is only missing one game.

Posted by: | April 30, 2008 6:14 PM

I am entirely neutral towards these teams and the NBA in general. However, I feel compelled to mention that I got kicked in the head last week in my soccer game and reacted less drastically than James did to the love tap from Songaila (which he partially caused when their arms were wrapped up). I thought Americans hated diving and play-acting, but apparently it's OK if you're a superstar (or Varejao, who is making Cristiano Ronaldo look honest).

Also, the crowd is getting a little quiet and the TNT announcers are saying that the Cavs should be more urgent...it's a 3 point game. Things are going alright for the Wizards, but it's not anywhere close to a blowout. James isn't playing very well, but you know he'll start finding his way. If anything, I'd be more concerned if I was a Wizards fan. You've got to stretch your lead when the other team's superstar is fairly quiet and you're causing a good number of turnovers.

Posted by: Chest Rockwell | April 30, 2008 7:11 PM

Gil's coat is just magnificent.

Posted by: Larry Bird Flu | April 30, 2008 7:13 PM

Kind of like how the cavs got punked by San Antonio. 4-0!!! Swept under the rug like the one man show they are.

Posted by: | April 30, 2008 6:00 PM

Kind of, but in April instead of June. You may not have realized they play basketball that late in the year.

Well, maybe they can hoist another WNBA Attendance Champions banner in the VC this year.

Posted by: | April 30, 2008 7:50 PM

See ya Gilbert. You can't get out of town fast enough. You declare yourself out for the season? Cool. The Nats have just won a thriller. 6 out of the last 8. At least they are not overpaid thugs.

Posted by: JT | April 30, 2008 8:01 PM

*reads comments full of incomprehensible trash talk and partisan sports commentary with trivializations about the nature of professional basketball players salaries*

*misses Seattle Seahawks fans*

*misses ultra-loyal fanbase of pro wrestlers*

*misses Seth Greenberg's daughter*

...Can Christmas Ape be fired again, please?

---

On a relevant (and non-WPost violating) point, what are the regulations behind including someone in the Blogger Hall of Fame? Do we have to wait five years, and vote him in? Gilbert's a 1st ballot HoF'er.

...And if you're reading this Gil, please don't opt out, please don't overexert during rehab, and please no more stat-padding your Halo 3 rating.

Posted by: B.A. | April 30, 2008 8:32 PM

In this morning's paper there was mention that Areans spent some of the practice time trying to punt a basketball to the top row of Verizon Center. He is able to do that but unable to play in the game?

Posted by: JT | April 30, 2008 8:44 PM

This club has been stuck in place for 3 plus years. A lot of it is injuries and unforseen circumstances but at some point you have to admit that certain players like Arenas are injury prone and are not the ones to build around.

No changes are necessary if 43-39 or 42-40 is satisfactory. For this team to be a championship contender, Grunfeld has to use the pieces he has to re-fashion a new roster.

Posted by: Roy Hobbs | April 30, 2008 8:52 PM

I love you Gil, but it would've been nice to have had this information BEFORE i bet the house on the Wiz tonight...

Posted by: Barno | April 30, 2008 5:35 PM

Thanks Gil.

Posted by: Barno | April 30, 2008 9:25 PM

Said it before and I'll say it again:

Wiz win game 7.........................

BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Barno | April 30, 2008 9:26 PM

I feel sorry for Gil. I know this must be hard for him. Everyone should cut him a break on the timing of the announcement -- he was probably hoping/wishing he didn't have to bow out. So the timing is as much his competitive regret at having to bow out.

Posted by: Nancy | April 30, 2008 9:54 PM

cul8r agent0.

Posted by: jweb | April 30, 2008 11:10 PM

Gilbert will be forwarding all visitors to his blog to www.stetsports.com.

At least until WaPo editors delete this comment in 5...4...3...2...

Posted by: StetSports.com | April 30, 2008 11:23 PM

Gilbert Shuts It Down

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