Arenas-Crittenton Standoff Just A Hilarious Inside Joke Gone Awry

Everyone is still trying to make sense of the Washington Bullets' (redux) guns-a-blazin' locker room showdown, but according to the latest version it simply resulted from a misinterpreted zinger about attempted murder. Some people have no sense of humor.

After piecing together several different reports, the story (at present) appears to go like this: Gilbert Arenas, Javaris Crittenton, JaVale McGee were all playing cards on a flight home from Phoenix before Christmas. Arenas and Crittenton both lost big, but because he was upset over a dispute about the rules, Arenas quit the game, leaving Crittenton to pay the entire pot himself. Crittenton argued with Areans over his share of the losings and at one point threatened (jokingly?) to shoot Arenas in his gimpy left knee.

Two days later, before practice, Arenas thought it would be funny to place three of his own guns next to Crittenton's locker with a note saying, "Pick one." That's funny, right? Well, Crittenton apparently didn't think so. He angrily picked up one of the guns and threw it across the locker room, screaming about how he has his own gun and doesn't need hand-me-downs. So touchy.

So it seems that no one actually drew a pistola and no one seriously threatened to kill anyone. It was just "horse play." With guns.

Unfortunately, the only group less humorous than the D.C. police is the NBA. Arenas may face criminal charges (local and federal) for the handguns (which are basically illegal in the District) to say nothing of the fines and suspensions from the league. Plus, there is a very real possibility that the Wizards could void the remainder of Gilbert's $111 million contract. Arenas has tried very hard to downplay the situation as just a misunderstanding, but if there's one thing you can't downplay in sports, it's money. Because of injury problems, he has been less than helpful to the team's cause since signing that deal two years ago and if the owners sense the slightest opening to cut their losses, they will do it quickly and not think twice. Arenas' days with the team are probably numbered.

If such an unfortunate paycut should come to pass, just don't ask Javaris Crittenton for a loan.

Startling picture starting to become more clear [Mike Jones Sports] Washington Wizards fall to San Antonio Spurs, 97-86 [Washington Post] Ex-Wizard Mason 'not surprised' by gun drama [Washington Post]