Steve Kerr was anything but happy with Draymond Green and how things went down for the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, where the Dubs faced the Charlotte Hornets and lost a game that ended in a very tumultuous way, with Green getting ejected before Terry Rozier called game for the Hornets.
With 9.3 seconds left on the clock, Draymond received two technical fouls for arguing the outcome of a jump ball. He totally lost it, got two T’s, and allowed the Hornets to win the game, which they did. Terry Rozier from the left corner made the Warriors paid and gave the Hornets their 14th win of the season to rank 7th in the East.
After the game was over, Kerr voiced his frustrations with Green and how easily and quickly he lost his cool, claiming that he made a mistake and he knows better than that.
“He crossed the line, that’s the main thing,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said about Green, via NBA.com. “We love his passion and his energy and we would not be the team we are without him. But that doesn’t give him license to cross the line — and he knows that.”
“Draymond can’t do that,” Kerr said. “He knows that. He made a terrible mistake getting T’d up and giving them a chance to shoot two free throws and tie the game. … As his coach, it’s my job to communicate with him and with the team. That’s what we’ve done, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
Steve Kerr's reaction to Terry Rozier's game winner… pic.twitter.com/V1aOS8TO9i
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 21, 2021
Green took the blame for the result, according to teammates, who showed their support for the player after the crazy sequence they lived. The DPOY award winner knew he had to be the leader of the team since Stephen Curry didn’t play and the Dubs were really close to winning the match but his antics ruined the Warriors’ plans.
“He said it was his fault and he took ownership as a leader,” forward Eric Paschall said. “We are still rocking with Draymond. Great dude. Great competitor.”
Moreover, Kent Bazemore showed his support to the big man, stating that he’ll have his teammate’s back no matter what, especially in this tough time.
A leader puts everything on the line for his team. We wouldn’t be us without him either. Boy got three rings. We will pick you up bro! @Money23Green #Since12
— Kenny Baze (@24Bazemore) February 21, 2021
Crew Chiefs Marc Davies explained what led to Green’s two techs and the subsequent ejection, saying that he not only verbally assaulted a rival but an official.
“His first technical was assessed when he directed profanity at his opponent,” Davis said. “He was assessed his first technical foul for verbally taunting an opponent. He then proceeded to direct screaming profanity at a game official and received his [second] technical foul and was ejected as per rule.”
POOL REPORT ON THE TWO TECHNICAL FOULS CALLED ON DRAYMOND GREEN AND JUMP BALL DECISION IN THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS/CHARLOTTE HORNETS GAME pic.twitter.com/VhHQyeyxQc
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) February 21, 2021
Terry Rozier finished the game with 36 points, recording his fourth consecutive 30+ game this season. While talking about his game-winner shot, he said he never thought he was going to miss it.
“I just hit one or two shots before that in that corner, so I felt real confident when I lost the ball, I grabbed it and let it go,” Rozier said. “I saw it going through all the way.”
Hornets head coach James Borrego also talked about the play and how great Rozier has been for the Hornets, explaining that he’s brought a different mindset for the team, which is now part of the playoffs.
“Never give in, never die. That’s as simple as I can put it,” Borrego said. “He’s been fantastic. His will throughout games and fourth quarters just to keep us alive and to actually throw in daggers to help us win games is tremendous on his part. But he’s been fantastic. He gives us a tremendous amount of confidence and tonight, he just willed us to another victory.”
This game had everything in such a short time. In the end, the Hornets took the W and left the Warriors wondering what just happened. They had the chance to get a big win knowing their injuries, how hard the Hornets are playing now, and the advantage they had before Draymond’s outburst. It was really a crazy sequence and now they have to bounce back after if they want to climb positions in the West.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_UGOQ3VnQk
