Shockwaves were sent across the NBA world on Tuesday night when Draymond Green put Rudy Gobert in a chokehold. Green’s actions were way out of order, but Shaquille O’Neal has admitted he’d have done the same thing had he been in Draymond’s shoes.
“I’m from the old school, so you always stick up for your guys,” O’Neal said. “Like, me and you are doing the interview right now — somebody come put their hands on you, I’m gonna beat them up ‘cause you’re my guy. But you get these people who say it was wrong — like, I try not to be a hypocrite. I would’ve did the same thing. I’m not gonna sit here and say he was wrong, he shouldn’t have did it — he probably shouldn’t have did it, but WWSD, what would Shaq do? Shaq would’ve did the same thing.”
It’s important to note here that O’Neal is also saying Green probably shouldn’t have done it, but he would have reacted in the same manner. If the 51-year-old had seen a teammate of his being grabbed by an opponent like when Gobert grabbed Klay Thompson, he’d have done the same.
While violence is never the solution, I could get someone rushing to help a teammate who might be in danger, but Thompson wasn’t. Gobert was trying to be the peacemaker by separating him from Jaden McDaniels and by no means deserved what came his way.
The NBA suspended Green, who has averaged 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game this season, for five games for the chokehold and I’d say it was deserved. There is no place in the game for something as dangerous as it and it’s fortunate that he didn’t end up seriously harming Gobert.
Steve Kerr Termed Draymond Green’s Actions As Inexcusable
As far as Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr goes, he initially seemed to defend Green’s actions after the game, which the Minnesota Timberwolves won 104-101. A couple of days, though, his tone had changed, with Kerr calling Draymond’s chokehold on Gobert as inexcusable.
“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.”
Even if you firmly believe Gobert was in the wrong for holding Klay instead of his own teammate during that altercation, you can’t defend the chokehold. Draymond could have just told the Frenchman to back off or tried to push him away in that situation.
To not only use a chokehold but to have Gobert in it for what seemed like almost 10 seconds was ridiculous. As Kerr says, the 33-year-old has to find a way to not cross the line, but I have serious doubts on whether that’s possible for Green.
Rudy Gobert Blasted Draymond Green
No one can blame Gobert for being incredibly upset over the events and he has not been holding back. First, Gobert took shots at Green by claiming he does anything he can to get ejected when Stephen Curry isn’t playing. He also termed Green’s actions as clown behavior.
Gobert also felt Draymond wanted to put him to sleep, but the choke wasn’t good enough. The 31-year-old said that if Green really knew how to choke someone, then he’d have suffered serious harm, as it went on for quite a while. We surprisingly haven’t heard anything from Green since then, but he will have to address this at some point.
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