12 Jan 11 Gilbert Arenas, Javaris Crittenton: Stern's Punishment Not Harsh Enough

Brendan Smialowski/Getty ImagesAmerica has seen a drastic increase in gun violence during the past 30 years. Professional athletes have been getting caught up in the whirlwind in recent years as well. It is a shame that this even has to be pointed out.Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton pulled guns on each other in Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
the Washington Wizards' locker room while feuding over a supposed bet gone wrong. Gun violence to resolve a bad bet? That sounds like more of a city alley or a casino back room than an NBA dressing room. The NBA already has rules in place preventing possession of guns in any workplace of the league, loaded or unloaded. Arenas and Crittenton have broken that ruleas well as several local and federal laws. All they received were season-ending suspensions.Let me put this in context: Two grown men who are both well-off financially and have relatively good job security pulled guns on each other because of an unresolved betting issue. I read stories about these kinds of events every day in the newspaper, and they have a very different result. Usually one or both persons are injured or killed, and usually, an innocent bystander is almost hit or injured.The response and sanctions from NBA Commissioner David Stern should have had no relation to the criminal investigations. Arenas and Crittenton should be banned from the NBA and all associated events, arenas and everywhere else. People have pointed out that Arenas has already lost $7 million in salary from his current suspension. That is only $7 million to a man who has already earned millions in salary and endorsement deals. I find it offensive that people even consider this a legitimate argument for approving of his suspension.With other players like Stephen Jackson firing seven rounds outside a nightclub and another player being arrested for illegal possession of firearmsincluding a Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
shotgun in a guitar caseallowing these clowns to continue in the NBA is a grave injustice.There are no other jobs in the world where pulling a firearm on a coworker in the workplace would be tolerated and punished by only a few months' suspension without pay. It does not matter how remorseful the pair appear to be in front of the commissioner or anyone else. The pair should have been banned for life instantly from any NBA- associated program or venue.With the amount of black-on-black violence in America and the number of guns used in those instances, I believe Stern skipped out on several great opportunities to make an impact on young African-American teens' minds. He could have shown that no matter how hard you work to achieve a professional career, if you think guns solve problems, then you have no place in a professional organization.Stern could have helped reverse the current trends sweeping professional sports and the role models of most of America's youth. Instead, he decided to sweep it under the rug and allow the impact of gun violence to Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
go unpunished. Stern showed that he cares too much for revenue and keeping the status quo than for using his position for good: showing there is no tolerance for gun violence in America, no matter how many jerseys you sell or what your points-per-game average is.