The Golden State Warriors were dealt a massive blow in their loss to the Timberwolves, as Draymond Green and Klay Thompson were ejected before a single basket was scored. Green put Rudy Gobert in a chokehold and had to be reprimanded by the league with a five-game suspension. Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr has come out and discussed the importance of Green not resorting to violence again.
“Draymond has to find a way to not cross the line – I’m not talking about an ejection or a technical – I’m talking about a physical act of violence. That’s inexcusable.”
https://twitter.com/kendra__andrews/status/1725324837139447934
Steve Kerr also said he had a long talk with Draymond Green after his incident with Rudy Gobert.
Kerr said he had a long talk w/Draymond. Didn't give the details of that discussion but later said that Draymond is embarrassed by the incident. Kerr said he should've known that grabbing Gobert by the neck for so long would lead to serious repercussions that would cost the team. https://t.co/JboD9GDpDT
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) November 17, 2023
Green has a history of violence in the NBA, probably the most aggressive superstar we’ve seen in the last decade. While players like Patrick Beverley and Dillon Brooks are considered annoying due to their pest-like habits on the court, they don’t have a reputation for violence.
Draymond has been a train wreck to begin this season, with the Timberwolves’ ejection being his third major incident in three games. He was ejected against the Cavaliers, unnecessarily trash-talked Anthony Edwards in a game, and followed it up with the Gobert chokehold.
Looking at his past of kicking players in the groin or knocking out his teammate in practice, it’s clear the Warriors let his behavior go unchecked for years because they were winning. Now that things aren’t rosy, Kerr has implored his defensive anchor to change his ways and stop jeopardizing his team.
Steve Kerr Initially Defended Draymond Green
Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr may have called Green’s action inexcusable after he received his suspension, but the tone was entirely different before that. After the incident, Kerr told the media that he didn’t think Draymond did anything wrong because they thought Gobert was attacking Klay.
“If you watch the replay, Rudy had his hands on Klay’s neck, and that’s why Draymond went after Rudy,” Kerr said. “I saw one replay right after it happened. Guys on the back of the bench were telling us that Rudy had Klay and that’s why Draymond went at Rudy. That’s all I know.”
Suppose he believed that at the moment, I don’t see why his stance changed. Even if the Warriors mistook Gobert’s intentions, the chokehold was a way Draymond was defending his teammate from the perceived threat. Kerr seemed all for it initially but now has changed his tune based on the league’s punishment of Green.
This could be a good thing, as the Warriors will be forced to talk some sense into Draymond. He refrained from such behavior last season because he was in the final year of his contract and had to work hard on ensuring his value to the squad after the Poole punch. He got his new extension, and with the security of having four more years in the NBA, it seems Dray is taking his enforcer role seriously again.
Green can continue being one of the highest-impact defenders in the NBA when he’s back from suspension, but he needs to make some changes to his style as referees will keep an eye on him to knock him with penalties and foul calls.
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