Gilbert Arenas had the ultimate responsibility of taking over the Washington Wizards’ reign post-Michael Jordan era. And he did not disappoint the DC fans leading them to their first playoff appearance in 2005, since 1997. The fan favorite played with his heart and soul until an injury ruled him out for a long time. However, during that rehab period, he received an honor which he claims to beat President Barack Obama to.

Gilbert Arenas averaged 26.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 289 games between the 2003-04 and 2006-07 seasons. But a knee injury meant he could only feature in 13 games in 2008. But that year did become somewhat cheerful when he received three unique opportunities. Being on the cover for the NBA Live 08, and Slam Magazine also being celebrated at the Madame Tussauds in DC.

“I gained a lot during that summer. It was like the cover of that Slam Magazine cover, Madam Tussauds I got the uh statue. So I was the third NBA athlete to get immortalized. It was I think Jordan, Shaq and me.” The statue came as a surprise to WNBA star Lexie Brown, “I did not know you had a wax figure.”

Gilbert Arenas continued to explain how he got the statue. “Had a wax figure, yeah! I beat out with Obama. So me and Obama got picked and… one day the city switch it and said since Gilbert was here first.” Stating he still doesn’t know how he got it over Obama, but probably thinks the city voted for it.

“Like the Wizards, Madame Tussauds has become a fixture in the nation’s capital and one that I’m proud to be a part of,” Agent Zero said during the launch in November 2008. But he wasn’t alone that day, bringing along fifty of his friends.

Gilbert Arenas’ reminiscent summer of 2008

Fifty 7th and 8th grade students from James Madison Middle School in Prince George’s County, Maryland were part of the figure unveiling. Gilbert Arenas’ Zer0 2 Her0 Foundation Christmas Dream program made the children’s day. Plus, the school was also the recipient of his Scores for Schools program; through which, Arenas donated $150 for every point he scored during the Wizards’ home games

Apart from helping children, his childhood dream also became possible thanks to NBA Live 08. “This is an honor. Until I win that ring. I don’t know how that feels. I know how this feels right now, and I like it a lot,” Gilbert Arenas said in 2007. He also recalled that 2k had given him an offer, but at the time, they did not have the biggest following.

Even with all the success of the field, Arenas could not manage another playoff appearance since 2008 for the Wizards. He also made a huge sacrifice monetary-wise, as he signed a $111 million contract instead of a Supermax $127 million to make space for forward Antawn Jamison. Although he couldn’t win the championship, the Madame Tussauds statue, and his childhood dream of the NBA cover star, nobody could take that away from him.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”