After a 5-match suspension for strangling an opponent during the match, Draymond Green contacted the media for the first time today (November 27 Vietnam time).
And true to his somewhat sassy personality, Green did not feel sorry even though he still admitted he needed to control himself better.
The Golden State Warriors’ defensive leader said nothing will change his playing style, including a fine from the NBA because it will affect his ability to help the team win.
“ I will still play basketball the same way I have always played. It is this style of play that has brought me to my current success, not only for me personally but also for the team I play for ,” Draymond Green shared.
“ But I also understand that I can improve in some aspects. I need to behave better and be more restrained in moments like that .”
Draymond Green’s strangling situation occurred in the match between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves a few weeks ago.
Starting from a collision between Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves) and Klay Thompson (Warriors), players from both sides rushed into each other in the middle of the field. At this time, Draymond Green rushed in from afar, strangled Rudy Gobert and dragged the Minnesota big man away for quite a long distance.
After the situation on the field was controlled, the referee decided to immediately disqualify three players, Klay, McDaniels and Draymond Green. At this time, the match had only started less than 2 minutes and both sides had not yet scored.
“ Obviously he crossed the line. I don’t speak up to protect my student in this situation because Draymond was wrong, he let things go too far and Draymond knows that,” coach Steve Kerr said about his student after the punishment from the NBA.
The tournament suspended Draymond Green for 5 games for endangering opponents on the field, a penalty that caused the Golden State Warriors to lose more than 700,000 USD.
This is the 5th suspension in Draymond Green’s career, and the 18th game he has been expelled from the field (ejected). After completing his tournament suspension, Green shared more about his actions this morning.
“All I do is protect my teammates, especially my brothers who have played with me for the past 12 years. Everyone can look at that action and comment on it however they want.
I also have no intention of defending or explaining any further. For myself, I just protect my teammates,” Draymond said.
Draymond Green will be able to return to action next Wednesday when Golden State faces the Sacramento Kings, the final group stage match of the NBA In-Season Tournament.
In the 5 games he was absent, the Warriors had 2 wins against the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns.
