Locker Room Gun Showdown Between NBA Stars? 'Too Funny,' Player Says
NBA teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton reported in armed argument.
Jan. 1, 2010 -- The NBA's Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton refused to confirm reports Friday that they drew guns on each other in a locker room dispute.
Citing anonymous sources, the New York Post and Yahoo! Sports first reported that the Washington Wizards' teammates pulled guns during an argument about a gambling debt in the team's locker room at the Verizon Center.
At a scheduled team practice today at the Verizon Center, Arenas refused to answer questions about the allegations. But when asked about the reports, he told ABC News affiliate WJLA, "I like the story, it's intriguing."
When asked if anything had transpired between him and Crittenden, Arenas said, "I don't know."
Later, Arenas' Twitter account had this posting: "i wake up this morning and seen i was the new JOHN WAYNE..lmao media is too funny."
A few minutes later, another post: " i guess nobody thought that last text was funny. well i hav 2 change subjects.umM what about that TIGER WOODS.i heard he dated 2 MIDGETS jk "
Last week the team acknowledged that Arenas, a three-time NBA All Star, had stored unloaded firearms in a container in his locker at the arena and that the NBA and authorities were looking into the situation.
There was no discussion of a player dispute at the time.
On Friday, Wizards' team management would not confirm the reports of the players' argument, but released this statement:
"The Washington Wizards take this situation and the ongoing investigation very seriously. We are continuing to cooperate fully with the proper authorities and the NBA and will have no further comment at this time."
"This is unprecedented in the history of sports," Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA players' association, told the Post. "I've never heard of players pulling guns on each other in a locker room."
Wizards Hope Arenas Can Lift Team Despite Allegations
The Washington professional basketball team's name was changed in 1997 from the Bullets to the Wizards due to concerns about gun violence.
The Wizards' season has gotten off to a rocky start -- a 10-20 record in the team's first 30 games.
The season began with high hopes among fans, notably because Arenas would be returning to the court after battling injuries for the last few seasons.
Last month, longtime team owner Abe Pollin died at 85.
The team is scheduled to play San Antonio Saturday night at the Verizon Center.