Posted at 12:05 AM ET, 12/21/2010

An elegy for Gilbert Arenas, once a star of the Washington gossip world

By The Reliable Source

Gilbert Arenas partying with P. Diddy, 2007. See more Gilbert Arenas photos (Kevin Clark/TWP)

It was great while it lasted: We're talking, of course, of Gilbert Arenas and his contributions to Washington gossip.

Rarely has a pro basketball player proved more entertaining off the court than on. The Wizards star, traded Saturday to Orlando, had the quirky gift of living large and oversharing, which yielded treasures we'll never forget:

Gilbert Arenas' fiancee Laura Govan, 2009. (Richard Day/Darla Photography)

His off-again/on-again relationship with now-fiancee Laura Govan, who (breaking news!) is now expecting another baby -- their fourth in five years. The nine-year romance was marked by breakups, makeups, luxury baby showers, and finally a proposal in October 2008. But no wedding date yet, that we know of. As Arenas explained: "You should prolong your engagement as long as you can . . . because of life in the bedroom disappearing once you get married."

His 25th birthday party in 2007 for 7,500 people at Love nightclub with appearances by Diddy, The Game, T.I., Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes. Guests to the invitation-only bash were required to present a black "Arenas Express" card printed with their names; dress code was "Super Duper Fly." Entrance: Driving his Lamborghini convertible into the concert tent and up to the stage.

His blog, where he waxed poetic on everything from break-ups ("You ask for space, you know, because everything feels closed in. . .Now you got clean walls, clean furniture and you're lonely") to fatherhood ("I hear people say you can't choose between children, but hey, people got their favorite children. Don't lie.") He threatened to quit several times but was persuaded to keep writing until finally calling it quits last year: "It made me and it's going to kill me, so I might as well stop."

Gilbert Arenas, plus beard, 2010. (Jonathan Newton/TWP)

He built a huge pool behind his Great Falls home. . . and a massive shark tank. "Ever since Jaws there's been something about fish and sharks that I've always liked," he wrote. "Also when I saw "Cribs" and Ice-T had a shark tank in the back of his place, I was like, 'Oh man! That's what it is!!' "

But then came the weird beard, the bum leg and gun prank gone wrong -- and Agent Zero went underground. And now, to Florida. The Wizards traded him for Rashard Lewis, a 12-year NBA veteran with no apparent quirks.

Read also: Why did we even care? Dan Steinberg makes us question this city's brief love affair with Gilbert, or any athlete.