Hikikomori is the New Hibachi
Arenas' lips are uncharacteristically sealed
By KYLE WEIDIE
Updated 3:57 PM EST, Fri, Feb 6, 2009
Hikikomori what? Exactly.
If you're so inclined to go to Wikipedia, you'll find that the Japanese term describes the occurrence of a person's withdrawal from social life.
And so goes the chain of recluses: J.D. Salinger, Bobby Fischer, Dave Chappelle ... and now Gilbert Arenas.
Ok, in all fairness, Agent Zero has not gone into hiding, he just doesn't want to be bothered by media types. And he's letting everyone know in his own quirky way.
Arenas has worn a hotel 'Do Not Disturb' sign around his neck for not one, but two practices in a row. While playing mind games with Nick Young during their one-on-one battles, Gil is also playing mind games with the media, stopping the action every time an MSMer sticks his or her head onto the practice floor, as reported by Mike Jones of the Washington Times.
So is Gilbert's aloofness a win or a loss? Depends on who you ask.
The lack of "Gilbertology " surely has bloggers, even Dan Steinberg, pulling their hair out. Ernie Grunfeld and the Wiz public relations team are probably content with not having to put out any Arenas distraction fires. Then again, the marketers and sales people are probably walking around with their cheeks clenched, wondering if their cash cow will ever see the hardwood again.
The 2008-09 season is dying a very slow death. And when the morbid stench is this fresh, we're clearly within the grace period where a joke, or anything that usually comes from Arenas' mouth, would be in poor taste.
The answer to the, "What? Too soon?" question is a resounding yes.
Maybe one day the Zero Two Hero will get his hibachi grill fired up, but until then, this is Arena's Hikikomori period.
Copyright NBC Local Media
First Published: Feb 6, 2009 2:57 PM EST
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