Guns in NBA Arenas – Gilbert Arenas signs with the Memphis Grizzlies

Former all-star Gilbert Arenas signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday after trying out for both Memphis and the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in the season.

Gilbert gone from Hero to Free Agent Zero

Arenas was once one of the deadliest (and most popular) guards in the NBA but Gilbert has been more Zero than Hero the last couple of seasons. Bringing guns in the arena when he was a member of the Washington Wizards was a bonehead move and began the downward spiral of his career. The Orlando Magic took a chance on him but Arenas averaged career lows and looked slow and old on the court during his stint there. The Magic jumped at the chance to waive Gilbert under the new amnesty clause this offseason and not suprisingly nobody in the NBA claimed him off of waivers.

Turns out neither of these shoot-first point guards will be making a championship run with the Lakers this postseason.

Some Memphis BBQ, Hibachi-style

It had been thought that a playoff contender would take a flyer on Gilbert mid-season if the teams suffered any injuries at the guard position. Sure enough, the Lakers put Arenas through a private workout after both Derek Fisher and Steve Blake were ineffective at the point guard position earlier in the season. The Lakers eventually decided not to sign Arenas who sources say looked decent in his workout, even though Kobe Bryant was reportedly on board with the signing. Gilbert then worked out for Memphis, a team loaded at guard making a signing seem unlikely. However, Arenas signed a contract for the remained of the season this week as the Grizzlies continue to make a playoff push in the hectic Western Conference. Hibachi!

Lakers fans, do you think Arenas will be an asset for Memphis come playoff time? Should the Lakers have signed Gilbert while they had the chance?