Gambling has suddenly become a hot topic in the NBA, but it isn’t exactly a new phenomenon. Players have always gambled amongst each other in card games. Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is happy to testify to it.
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One of these intense games that Arenas was a part of even came in the middle of the NBA playoffs. That too, with some members of the opposing teams.
In the 2006 NBA playoffs, the Washington Wizards went up against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. Both teams put forth stellar performances, making for a heavily contested series. In between games, we would imagine that the players were recovering and watching film while preparing for the next game. That was far from the case.
“We’re gambling during the series,” Arenas said in an interview on VladTV. “Not LeBron [James], but me, Damon Jones, Larry Hughes… We’re all at LeBron’s place gambling.”
Arenas was talking about being in enemy territory. But nobody batted an eye. Even the interviewer didn’t believe they heard Arenas correctly at first. The three-time All-Star then went on to reveal that this wasn’t out of the ordinary back then.
“Larry was my teammate. He’s there now, so we’re not playing. Who are you hanging out with?” Arenas added.
It was a seriously competitive affair at the card game, too. Arenas didn’t just strive to win on the court; the Wizards star looked to make a good few bucks in the gambling sessions he had with the Cavaliers players.
Damon Jones used to never back down. However, his resolve didn’t work out well for him.
“We’re there chilling, beating the s*** out of Damon Jones,” Arenas revealed. “During shootaround, I would yell, ‘The landlord is here!’ I would yell that during the games, right at Damon Jones. I wouldn’t even accept his payment just so I can keep yelling that.”
Jones was a valuable member of the 2005-06 Cavaliers roster. He played every single game of the season, averaging over 25 minutes per game. However, in that series against the Wizards, he didn’t play more than eight minutes in a game. Arenas had a major role in that.
“During that series, I would tell the coach, ‘That man owes me money, coach.’ You put him in, I’m going to destroy him,” Arenas said.
It seems that’s exactly what Arenas did. The 6-foot-4 guard scrapped the entire game plan once Jones checked in. Instead, he focused on dominating his matchup. However, Jones had the last laugh.
In Game 6, the Wizards’ backs were against the wall. They were facing elimination but were up 113-112 with 15 seconds remaining. Arenas headed to the free-throw line with a chance to extend the lead to three points with two free throws.
The 82% free-throw shooter missed the first one. LeBron made his way to Arenas and whispered something in his ear while patting him on the chest.
“If you miss this, you know who’s going to end the game,” Arenas recalled LeBron’s words. To the dismay of the Wizards’ fans, Arenas missed the second.
In the following possession, Jones caught the ball in the deep left corner and connected on a go-ahead jump shot to win the game. All of that money that Jones owed Arenas seemed pale in comparison to the bragging rights he was able to earn with that shot.
