During the early part of the 2022-23 season, an incident made the NBA pale. A video of Draymond Green punching his former teammate Jordan Poole went viral. Their feud completely disturbed the franchise. On the Dan Le Batard Show, Steve Kerr mentioned it was the angriest he had been at the defensive stalwart. The moment was among his career’s worst phases. However, their rift began an entire year ago, with Stephen Curry trying his all to prevent it.

Two seasons and a Poole trade later, a video has gone viral of Poole and Green nearly coming to blows. It happened in 2021 during a timeout. In the video, it seemed words were exchanged between the veteran and the former Warriors 6th man prior to the incident. Something then provoked Draymond Green to nearly lunge toward Poole to confront him.

Right before he could, Stephen Curry tried to hold his long-time teammate from creating a ruckus. He understood the grave implications it could have on the locker room as well as Green himself. His nudge slowed Green down enough for the team to form a wall between him and Jordan Poole.

Still, the former DPOY was visibly infuriated with something his young teammate said to him. He allegedly even told him, “Imma beat the s**t out of you… I will f**k you up,”. Since then, a lot has transpired for the Bay forward. However, what stands out is his intentions to change.

Draymond Green is using his opportunity to make amends

After the entire Jordan Poole incident, Green was distraught. As a senior member of the team and a decisive part of the Warriors, he understood he had failed at his duty. He addressed the situation during a podcast episode expressing sadness that he couldn’t celebrate Poole’s contract extension with the Bay.

Ultimately, the dynamic was irreparable and the Poole party had to move to Washington. Even after that, Draymond Green had arguably the worst season of his career, being suspended indefinitely at one point. The culmination of events helped Green realize the influence he holds within the organization and forwarded his intentions to repair his actions.

Through it, he reveals the positive aftermath of his punishments. “But the relationship with them grew stronger. “Like, Steph called me or text me every day. Every day I was away…And so the relationships grew. Steve [Kerr] checking in. Mike Dunleavy calling me four or five times a week,” he said on a podcast.

Since then, Green is still as fiery and maniacal a competitor. However, he has revitalized the ferocious nature that the NBA loves. His energy is infectious within the locker room. Yes, Green will still probably have heated on-court moments. But those are the antics that stem from his competitive animal, far different from the incidents that have taken place in the past.

His energy and hard-nosed style elevate the Warriors. And the new version of Green knows the line he can’t cross. There will still be ejections. But Draymond Green understands how his presence on the floor can uplift his team. The 34-year-old has changed and is back with his vintage fire.