An open letter to Gilbert Arenas…

by UK American Sports Fans

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Dear Gilbert Arenas,

So, China huh? Who would have dreamed that a skinny kid from Florida who grew up as you did, would one day be travelling around the world to play professional basketball? You know what? Maybe you did. I mean, you dream so big that maybe you always wanted to play overseas.

The thing about playing ball in China is that some people are saying that this is it for your career, that by playing somewhere other than the NBA you’re washed up.

I think it’s time the detractors were reminded what you’ve achieved:

  • Professional basketball player in the NBA. I repeat – Professional basketball player in the NBA.
  • Three-time NBA All Star.
  • Completed a trampoline dunk during an intermission (those are the accomplishments that matter).
  • Team USA trials.
  • Sponsored by Adidas
  • You had your own line of shoes.
  • You, Gilbert, became the face of NBA Live ’08. You were the face of that franchise.
  • You were the face of the franchise in the capital of the United States too.
  • You’ve been in adverts, on billboards, gotten married, had three beautiful kids – become their hero, given your time, money and heart to charity and become their hero.

You’ve lived the lifestyle that millions of people desire and you have the life that 6.9 billion people want – we all want to live our dreams.

You’ve connected with people in a way few others can. And I’m not just talking about the game and the way you play it. I’m talking about as a human being. That commercial you shot with Adidas where you paint a picture of yourself looking like JYD and you’re telling your story? I listen to that pretty much every day. I even listened to it while I was writing this letter to get inspiration for when words get stuck in my ‘social spell checker’.

I’m talking about the little machine that’s in my head that my words go into, the machine looks at them, evaluates them and then decides if others should hear what I’m truly thinking and feeling. If it doesn’t like them, not only does it change the words and sentences, it stops me from sharing the stuff that’s the most real to me. It’s the kind of spell checker that catches and changes sentences like ‘I’m a 30 year old man and I listen to your commercial to inspire me’. It’s a barrier that prevents me from admitting that; when I’m low on confidence and struggling, I look at your story, where you were and where you are now, and know that if you want it enough, you work hard enough.

“When no-one believes, believe in yourself”

That message, right there, is enough to give me the drive I need to succeed.

And if it motivates me – a 30 year old guy who has travelled and experienced life at it’s extremes – then what a powerful message it gives to the younger generations.

*********

People are still watching, Gil. The world was your stage back when you were at your peak, dropping game winners daily, twisting up defences and being mobbed by reporters in the locker room. You created that stage and you performed on it.

That stage is still there to be reclaimed when you’re ready. It may be a little neglected and it may be a little dusty but it’s there. Come home Gil.

Good luck with everything you do and wherever you do it.

Thank you Gil.

 

 

 

Keith Firmin

P.S. And just so you know – the record for the most amount of points scored by a player in one game in the CBA is 71. Just sayin’.