Gilbert Arenas has never been someone short on confidence, and that was on display during his time in the NBA. After being drafted 31st overall in 2001, Arenas went on to become a three-time All-Star with the Washington Wizards in a career that was ultimately derailed by his infamous firearm incident in 2009.
Arenas was recently on the “I Am Athlete” podcast, and he had a whole lot to say on a range of topics, including his relationship with his ex-teammate Javaris Crittenton, who was involved in that incident in 2009. He also recounted quite a story about his time at Michael Jordan’s camp in 1999, where he waived off MJ during a game:
Gilbert Arenas on the time he waved Michael Jordan off at his own camp
(via @IAMATHLETEpod) pic.twitter.com/p6dqi4YwbP
— S.L.i.C. (@slicsports) May 24, 2022
“I was at MJ camp for two years, so I know MJ mindset. I was the first person to waive MJ off at the camp. Because he called me Randy Brown. Listen I had 40 the first night feeling myself, right? Nobody knows who I am… (I’m) feeling myself. He’s like you remind me of a player on my team, I’m like you, Pip? Randy Brown! Randy Brown number one, the hustler… I can’t wait until the game tonight. He ain’t never getting this ball back and that’s what I did…. He wants the ball from me, he better get it off the glass.”
It does seem like something Arenas would do, and it was classic Jordan to put him down by comparing him to Randy Brown. Brown was a journeyman who was a part of the Bulls’ second three-peat, and he was nothing more than a role player who averaged 4.8 points per game for his career.
It’s not surprising that Arenas felt insulted by the backhanded compliment from MJ, and he seemed to have taken out his frustrations during that game by not passing the ball. Ultimately, you’d say that his time at Jordan’s camp definitely helped Arenas in his development and made him a better player, which is what really matters at the end of the day.
