Draymond Green’s suspension from the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors has ruffled a lot of feathers around the league. Players have commented on it, teammates have commented on it, but now it is time for Stephen A. Smith to share his thoughts on the same.
Stephen A. Smith was a part of the half-time show at ESPN to discuss the game. The Green ejection was a major turning point and happened right before the half, so that was the topic of focus for everyone, including Smith, who called the competitive balance of the game tarnished.
“I think that’s an utter ridiculous decision by the officiating group. I mean, what are you doing? Looking for continental tissue commercials and endorsements or something? This is utterly ridiculous and a damn shame that this happened. You wanna give him a tech? Fine. He clearly tried to hold the person up, you’re making a defensive play, it happens. To have the guy ejected and compromise the potential outcome and leave us in a position where we’re talking about this ejection as opposed to talking about two high-end competitors going after it? I think this tarnishes the level of competition out there today, there are no excuses. It was utterly egregious”
Green has had an unfortunate career when it comes to picking up ejections and suspensions at the worst possible time. By his own admission, his reputation plays a major part in the way he gets treated by officials. The issue is that it shouldn’t and referees should analyze fouls for what they are and when they occur.
The competitive balance of the game did shift after Draymond left, evidenced by the monster night of Jaren Jackson Jr. and the struggle with which the Warriors ultimately picked up the win in the last minute of the fourth quarter.
