A Fan Base Divided

Gilbert Arenas told reporters Sunday that he'd be willing to take a pay cut if it would help the Wizards retain Antawn Jamison, sparking somewhat of a debate among readers.

Commenters either gushed over Arenas's generosity and sense of camaraderie, or they snarled at his latest declaration, calling it a cry for attention and doubting its validity.

The effect Arenas's injury has had on Wizards fans is clearer now than ever before. A group of people who once stood together in support of the same dream have been torn apart. Have you ever seen anything like it?

There are now two opposing parties making up the Wizards' fan base: Gilbertist and Reformist.

The Gilbertists are behind Arenas one hundred percent. Gilbertists (not to be confused with Gilbertologists, who diligently study the "on and off court behavior, teammates, collective behavior and critiques" of Arenas) believe he will bounce back from his injury any day now and lead the Wizards through the playoffs:

pstate11: Arenas = team player!!! Redskins take this example!!!! Nice move Gil. Let's just get a big man and we can compete.

ntlekt: Perfect example of why Arenas is worth fighting for. Exemplary, point blank...

littc007: That is the Gilber we know and love. All the press on this has had wiz fans going crazy. Now out of his mouth he knows what is at stake. ALL HAIL AGENT ZERO for being the HERO we know he is!!!! Plus all HAIL the NATS and CAPS and soon the SKINS

washwiz: Gilbert is showing that he does care for the team and has confidence in our future. Just what he said about Antawn shows that he's for him as well as the team. Cant wait to see you next year Gilbert! This team was nothing until you, Antawn and Caron came! I'm loving our Big 3!

DuhHumanity: I take back every bad thing I have ever posted about Gilbert. He will make a fine President one day!

Maybe one day.

Moving on to the Reformist Wizards fans, who have a common distaste for Arenas. Reformists believe that Arenas's time in Washington has passed, and that the Wizards need to move on. Reformists generally throw around the name "Caron Butler" as a way of asserting that Arenas is no longer the Wizards' star player:

guisher: Arenas is full o' crap; if he was really willing to 'take less money' and wasn't just talkin' smack, he wouldn't opt out, and just honor the final year of his current contract. ... This is Caron's team now, anyway, (we obviously can't win without him, and his hard-nose, no-nonsense style is very refreshing after smelling all of that Gilbert crap). Caron's ready to be a superstar.

blazerguy234: Jamison is having a fantastic year..WITHOUT gilbert. Caron is the key guy..not Arenas. Why doesn`t Gil just play for the 12 million that is in his current contract...since he has contributed nothing to this whole year.

avbanig: You can't believe anything he says.

abootstrapper: Last week he said he wanted a max deal. This week he is willing to take a pay cut. Will the real Gilbert Arenas please stand up? ... Gilbert is playing mind games. If you look at the press conference you can tell by his body language that he is not being honest. He wants attention.

alling: Gil acting like he the GM again. Getting tired of Mr. Drama Queen.

wizardman: Are they sure they were talking to Gilbert Arenas and not Jamison dressed up like Gil? To me, we don't need a PG like Gil. Steve Blake could fill his role. We need a big man.

minboden: It is premature to assume Arenas will be the same player after these injuries. Also, the Wizards are a much better road team without Arenas since on the road he cries to the officials if he does not get the calls and he loses his focus. I know they won't trade him but that's what I would do.

A Gilbertist steps in to defend:

7snider7: You constant detractors[read: Reformists] are unbelievable! Yes, Gil has been out. Injuries are an occupational hazard for athletes. And while they're out, they don't contribute on the field of play, do they? But Gilbert is a phenomenon when he's healthy. What did he put up against the Lakers last year -- 60? 60! And now he's talking about taking a pay cut to keep this team together, a team that I believe he sees as being on the cusp of winning it all. And you attack him?! I may have to stop reading web forums completely, as they all seem to attract a disproportionate number of nannering [nattering, but close enough] nabobs of negativism. You guys are such downers!

Bonus points for alliteration secure this round for the Gilbertists.

By Lindsay Applebaum |  April 1, 2008; 9:00 AM ET  | Category:  Wizards
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