So the NBA decided this past week to suspend wild west imitators Gilbert Arenas and Jarvaris Crtittenton of the Washington Wizards for the remainder of the 2009-2010 season.  What else were they to do?  A number of years ago the NBA was viewed as a league with an image problem due to the manner its players dressed, that it portrayed its spoiled millionaires as thugs.  Now they are making like Scarface carrying weapons into lockerrooms.

The NBA is correct in its decision.  If any of these players were working at the local 7-11, they would be out of a job, not just suspended.  And it isn't NASCAR where if you want to have a fight you go over to the pit crew area of your opponent and throw down (and lets be honest, the only reason anyone watches is for the crashes).  But the possibility of having a weapon drawn on a court in response to a call not liked is too high a price to pay for the NRA.  Truth is, that is unfortunately a likely occurance in the inner-city with some money on the line.  The NBA players are already compensated.

The moment the players confirm in the eyes of the public that the players (even though its some, a few, even one) is an undeservingly paid millionaire, ticket sales will drop and tv packages not subscribed to.  And wait, then there will be converstaions like: "It used to be I couldn't afford an NBA ticket, now I need to bring a handgun to protect myself in the stands incase a player goes off his rocker".