Shaq apologized that
he slapped Greg Ostertag
Los Angeles center Shaquille O'neal was suspended for one game and fined $10,000 for hitting Greg Ostertag of the Utah Jazz before the two teams' season-opening game last Friday.
O'Neal also on Monday admitted he "made a mistake" in decking Ostertag and issued a formal apology to everyone involved.
The suspension means O'Neal, who is nursing an abdominal strain, will miss Tuesday night's game at Sacramento.
Ostertag did not immediately comment on the suspension.
O'Neal issued a statement through the team that apologized to ownership, management, teammates, fans and Ostertag, whom he knocked to the floor at a shootaround hours before Friday's game.
There were many conflicting accounts of the incident, which took place as the Lakers were leaving and the Jazz were taking the floor at The Forum. The Lakers admitted an altercation occurred, and Jazz spokesman Kim Turner was told Ostertag was "punched or knocked down" by O'Neal.
"I made a mistake," O'Neal said. "Instead of focusing on what is best for the team, I got caught up in the drama of the season's first game and reacted emotionally instead of logically."
Another account from KLAC Radio had the 7-foot-2, 320-pound O'Neal slapping the 7-2, 280-pound Ostertag after the two exchanged words.
"I apologize to the Lakers organization, especially (owner) Jerry Buss and (vice president) Jerry West, my Laker teammates, and our fans for the incident involving Greg Ostertag. I also apologize to Greg. I hope he accepts my apology and that he and I can put behind us any bad feelings."
O'Neal also addressed the issue of being a role model.
"I acknowledge my responsibility to set a good example for young people, and I admit in this instance I did not do so," he said. "I ask those young people not to emulate my conduct here because there is no excuse to engage in physical confrontation. I always tell kids to follow their dreams, but I should add that it is important to learn from your mistakes and prepare yourself so that they will not happen again."
O'Neal, who suffered the abdominal strain in a preseason game Oct. 20 against the Denver Nuggets, sat out Friday's 104-87 victory by the Lakers. Ostertag started and had just two points on 1-of-11 shooting in 18 minutes.
The feud between O'Neal and Ostertag has been simmering. The Jazz eliminated the Lakers from the playoffs in five games last season, and Ostertag's defensive play against O'Neal was a key factor. He helped hold O'Neal to averages of 22 points and 11.6 rebounds per game while limiting him to less than 50 percent shooting.
But O'Neal has maintained that he was double-teamed by the Jazz and vowed to get his revenge in the opener -- before he suffered the abdominal strain. O'Neal also has bragged that the Lakers will dethrone the Jazz as Western Conference champions.
The Preseason ended
October 27th
10/11 Charlotte 86 : 105 Utah
10/12 Utah 94 : 88 Dallas
10/17 Utah 80 : 89 Indiana
10/18 Utah 88 : 89 Indiana
10/20 New Jersey 92 : 104 Utah
10/22 Utah 99 : 109 Charlotte
10/25 Utah 98 : 77 Portland
10/27 Phoenix 89 : 98 Utah.
(Jazz finished Preseason with 5-3)
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