Former NBA All-Star Kermit Washington recently shared his perspective on the disciplinary issues surrounding Draymond Green in a discussion with Ryan Verneuille from Fox Sports and Nick from Fadeaway World. Washington, known for his physical style of play during his playing days, expressed doubt that Green would engage in such behavior if he played in the NBA 20 to 30 years ago.
“Draymond Green would not do that 20, 30 years ago. Let’s be really honest, he’s a good player. And is a good player on a was a very good team.”
“He wouldn’t dare. I mean, you had so many tough guys back then. You look at Seattle, you had Lonnie Shelton and Paul Silas, you had Truck Robinson, you had Clifford Ray. Every team had a tough guy. I mean he would have no chance of slapping somebody, oh my goodness, no.”
“He would have been in a hospital every other week. But he would have been smart enough to realize the pecking order is different. Guys now are making millions of dollars. They don’t want to get suspended and lose two or three hundred thousand dollars.”
According to Washington, the tough and physical nature of the NBA during that era, with players like Lonnie Shelton, Paul Silas, Truck Robinson, and Clifford Ray on various teams, would have made it challenging for Green to resort to slapping opponents without facing serious consequences. Washington suggested that Green would have likely found himself in the hospital frequently due to the physicality and toughness prevalent in the league at that time.
Washington also highlighted the financial implications of player conduct in the present-day NBA, emphasizing that players now make millions of dollars and are less inclined to jeopardize their earnings by getting suspended and fined. He noted the difference in the pecking order and players’ awareness of the financial consequences associated with on-court incidents.
While recognizing Draymond Green as a good player on a successful team, Washington’s comments shed light on the changes in the NBA’s culture and dynamics over the years, illustrating how the league’s physicality and the consequences for player conduct have evolved.
Draymond Green Would Be Very Careful In 80s And 90s Eras
In the rough-and-tumble eras of the 80s and 90s in the NBA, Draymond Green would have needed to tread very carefully, given the presence of formidable and physical players who were known for their toughness. Players like Charles Oakley, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, and Shaquille O’Neal from the 90s embodied a level of physicality and aggression that could have posed significant challenges for Green.
Additionally, tough guys such as Kermit Washington, who famously leveled Rudy Tomjanovich and broke his face, were part of the league during that era. Washington’s reputation for physical play and the infamous incident with Tomjanovich showcased the intensity and seriousness of the game in the 80s. Other notorious enforcers like Rick Mahorn and Bill Laimbeer were also known for their aggressive style, making it a no-nonsense environment on the court.
Kermit Washington, in particular, was highlighted for his toughness, having been involved in one of the most infamous altercations in NBA history. The incident where he leveled Rudy Tomjanovich with a punch resulted in severe consequences, underlining the high stakes and physical nature of the game during that time.
Reflecting on the historical context suggests that Green would have faced formidable challenges in an era where physicality, intimidation, and on-court altercations were more prevalent. The presence of iconic tough guys and enforcers from the 80s and 90s would have made it imperative for a player like Draymond Green to exercise caution and navigate the intense environment with care.
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