The NBA held its first annual social media awards last week to commend the best tweeters, with the Knicks’ Jeremy Lin and Landry Fields copping honors. Now the league is looking into the dark side of player Twitter interaction with fans.
A source told The Post the NBA plans to look into the authenticity of a profane direct message allegedly sent by Amar’e Stoudemire to a fan over the weekend. Stoudemire allegedly called the fan a homosexual slur in the direct message, which was forwarded to Deadspin.com via photo.
A Twitter direct message is visible only to the recipient, unlike a normal Twitter post which can be seen by anyone.
The fan ignited Stoudemire’s alleged reply by saying he must step up this season in harsh tones. “You better come back a lot stronger and quicker to make up for this past season, dead[butt].’’
Stoudemire’s alleged reply was: “[Expletive] you. I don’t have to do anything [slur].’’
Stoudemire’s spokesperson did not return several messages the past two days seeking comment on whether Stoudemire actually sent the message.
Deadspin later reported Stoudemire apologized to the fan in a subsequent direct message but after the story had come out yesterday. “I apologize for what I said earlier,” Stoudemire allegedly messaged. “I just got off the plane and had time to think about it. Sorry bro!! No excuses. Won’t happen again.”
Another Knicks fan, Drew Austin, told The Post yesterday he had a testy direct message exchange two weeks ago.
Austin questioned Stoudemire sitting courtside in Miami for a playoff game vs. the Celtics. Stoudemire replied four times, tweeting, in part, “You can’t control my life. Don’t breathe down my neck. I’m not a rookie. You have much more to worry about than another man.’’
Austin informed Tommy Dee, who runs a prominent online destination for Knicks fans, The Knicks Blog. Dee posted one part of the exchange two weeks ago. The Post obtained the alleged Stoudemire direct messages yesterday.
Yesterday, Austin said, “I’m not the first person who has told me Amar’e has direct messaged them in that tone. He seems very sensitive and defensive with the fans, insecure or something.’’
Stoudemire is coming off hand surgery during the playoffs when he punched a glass-enclosed fire extinguisher following a Game 2 loss in Miami. He missed Game 3 and played with one hand heavily bandaged in Games 4 and 5.