It made headlines. Two NBA players—one a true star—pulled guns on each other during a locker room incident. What really went down between Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton while they were with the Washington Wizards? Netflix’s new release It’s Immeasurable seeks to explore this sports-related drama.
Key Points: The centerpiece is a standoff in a well-known locker room, Not Spoken: Shooting Guard, but it will take some time to build up to that. The focus first lies on the careers of Arenas and Crittenton. Though many individuals involved in their basketball journeys weigh in, the main narrative unfolds through the voices of Arenas and Crittenton themselves.
What does this remind you of? Netflix has rolled out a format similar to ESPN’s long-standing 30 for 30 series with its own It’s Immeasurable. Currently in its fifth installment, this series tackles sensitive subjects, akin to other notable documentaries like Untold: Evil in the Palace and Untold: The Murder of Air McNair.
Performance Worth Watching: The core of Not Spoken: Shooting Guard comes from the firsthand experiences of Arenas and Crittenton. A standout moment occurs when former teammate Nick Young discusses how Crittenton mingled with members of a Los Angeles street gang. Young recalls, “I’m in Los Angeles, I’m part of a gang… they take that seriously. You can’t come back from that.”
Memorable Conversation: Arenas asks, “If I had to do it again, would I?” This reflects on the chaotic moments before the 2001 NBA draft, which likely impacted his position but also reveals something deeper about his complicated career.
Sex and Skin: None. (It’s not the best for younger viewers, obviously.)
Our Take: On Christmas Eve 2009, in a locker room discussion about gambling debts, Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other. This incident was a major event in the sports world, especially as the NBA was trying to cultivate a more positive image following the infamous 2004 brawl at the Palace. Both players faced season-long suspensions, effectively ending Crittenton’s NBA career.
But is a full documentary warranted for this incident? That was my initial thought when seeing the lineup for It’s Immeasurable. I’ll be honest; I was skeptical if Not Spoken: Shooting Guard was substantial enough for a complete documentary.
Surprisingly, Not Spoken: Shooting Guard makes the story engaging. Over time, it turns into a lasting conflict centered on the personalities of the two main figures.
Arenas serves as a fitting foil—being an NBA All-Star and a prominent face of the Washington franchise at that time, often clashing with young LeBron James in critical playoff matches. Known as “Agent Zero,” he was among the league’s more marketable players, always balancing mischief with a smile. Arenas reflects, “There is this line between being mischievous and going too far. I was always on that line.” We learn about his comfortable upbringing in Southern California, raised by a single father.
This contrasts sharply with Crittenton, whose path from a high school standout in Atlanta to a role player with the Los Angeles Lakers was marred by anger and uncertainty.
As their paths crossed in 2009 while on the Wizards, the tension sparked during a high-stakes card game on the team’s plane. “Every part of the NBA tests your masculinity,” Arenas says, acknowledging the gambling culture. Crittenton began provoking Arenas, who recalls, “That was my intention—irritating Javaris.” Their tension escalated to a point where they brought guns to the locker room before practice.
Arenas arrived with a gun, claiming it was just a joke. Crittenton brought his gun for self-defense, saying, “What’s the point of carrying a gun that isn’t loaded?” A brief argument ensued but was diffused before escalating further.
“That was the end. Well, we thought,” Arenas recalled.
The incident broke into the news a few days later, changing the trajectories of both players’ careers irreversibly. Although Arenas’ image took a hit, he eventually returned to the NBA, while Crittenton took a darker path and never played again.
This overview of the basic plot in Not Spoken: Shooting Guard has transformed into a captivating story of two basketball careers.
Our Call: Stream it. The incident alone might not seem documentary-worthy, but Not Spoken: Shooting Guard skillfully uses the incident to weave a larger narrative about two basketball lives and how easily dreams can unravel.
