This petition does not condone the alleged events involving Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittendon, and related subsequent events, including the casual attitudes being displayed by the team members. Instead, it expresses displeasure over a failure of leadership from the top down.

Wizards management communications to ticket holders and the public rightly condemn the alleged actions. What seems to be lacking is an indication of how expectations were communicated to players prior to and after the incidents in question. Further, the responses seem to distance the team from the players involved. Players are adults and are responsible for their actions, but the coach, general manager, team president, vice presidents, and owners are ultimately in charge. Much of the response appears to be “too little, too late,” all harshness and no compassion.

The NBA is a business, but a sense of family helps fan appreciation. A functional family should not enable or excuse its members poor choices and behavior, but it should still guide, protect, and defend them. It looks like both players and management have dropped the ball.

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