MANILA, Philippines – Phoenix Suns forward Jermaine O’Neal denied a report saying an altercation between him and general manager Lance Banks occurred.
Citing league sources, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that “Phoenix Suns center Jermaine O'Neal and general manager Lance Blanks engaged in a blistering, expletive-laced confrontation in the coach's office on Monday.â€
But the former out-of-high-school draftee sent out a series of tweets to address situation, denying the supposed altercation between him and the management.
Altercation? False! Argument about a coaching change or coaching hire? Even more false! That's is not my position or job to determine that!
— Jermaine O'Neal (@jermaineoneal) January 23, 2013
Lindsey hunter is now our coach and we will do anything and everything to support him and try to turn this season around!
— Jermaine O'Neal (@jermaineoneal) January 23, 2013
And for the person that's leaking the B.S to the media at least have the balls to acknowledge yourself or at least get the info right!Damn
— Jermaine O'Neal (@jermaineoneal) January 23, 2013
O’Neal, who is now on his 17th season in the league, is now part of the rebuilding program in Phoenix after the departure of franchise player Steve Nash.
The Suns currently have the worst record in the Western Conference (13-28). They fired coach Alvin Gentry and replaced him with hard-nosed former Detroit Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter.
Despite the seemingly losing cause for the 2012-2013 campaign of the Suns, O’neal tried to stayed positive and asked for support from the Phoenix Suns faithful.
For the people that support the suns, its 41 games left to turn this thing around and we ask for your full support! Let's go suns nation!
— Jermaine O'Neal (@jermaineoneal) January 23, 2013