Draymond Green has garnered all the spotlight lately and not for the reasons he’d have hoped of. After punching teammate Jordan Poole during practice, the Golden State Warriors star endured an avalanche of criticism. Many expected the Warriors’ front office to fine and suspend the forward. However, many people were taken aback when Steve Kerr revealed Green’s punishment.
After trouncing the Portland Trail Blazers in their pre-season game, Kerr addressed the media. The head coach announced that Green was hit with a fine but will not be facing suspension. He added that he expects him to play their last pre-season matchup against the Denver Nuggets and the opening night game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Kerr went on to say that the team landed on this decision after a deep discussion. He added that the discussion included all the key members of the organization, including GM Bob Myers and Stephen Curry. He emphasized that Green and Jordan Poole had spent time conversing and appeared to be in a good place.
According to Kerr, the organization reviewed everything and felt that this degree of punishment was the correct approach. He did emphasize, however, that making a decision in such a tricky situation is never easy.
Draymond Green will rejoin the Warriors on Thursday, per Steve Kerr. He has been fined. He won't be suspended. He will play in the preseason finale and on opening night next Tuesday.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 12, 2022
“It’s not gonna be perfect,” Steve Kerr stated. “This is the biggest crisis we’ve ever had since I’ve been coach here. This is really serious stuff”.?
Kerr said that Draymond Green will return for practice, as the veteran forward has been away from the team since the altercation and had been working out on his own. Talking about the leniency of the punishment, the Warriors’ head coach remarked that any criticism they face is valid.
Fans were left in disbelief by the Warriors’ lenient punishment for Draymond Green
Draymond Green’s punishment is seemingly lenient, given that many anticipated him to be suspended for an extended period of time. He was, however, fined an undisclosed amount.
This makes it obvious that the Golden State Warriors are trying to move on from the situation. Moreover, it’s reasonable to suppose that he and Jordan Poole must have been on the same page for the Warriors to land on this decision.
"I was wrong for my actions. For that, I apologized. The embarrassment that Jordan, this team, this organization has to deal with, but also his family saw that video.. For that, I apologize to his mother & his father."
– Draymond Green
(via @CjHolmes22)pic.twitter.com/qdaf2YoWx9
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 8, 2022
Regardless, there is work to be done as Green will likely need to regain his team’s trust. Steve Kerr said that he has broken his trust, but he is giving him the benefit of the doubt because he has earned it.
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Meanwhile, NBA fans were left scratching their heads in bewilderment after seeing Green’s punishment. Here are some reactions to the news of the veteran forward’s punishment on NBA Twitter:
Ridiculous. That deserves a suspension https://t.co/U2dft1rvBf
— Jacoby (@Jacoby016) October 12, 2022
damn that's messed up
— jingle (@gstringutd) October 12, 2022
Wow! That’s it smh
What message does that send to the other young guys 🥺🤦🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️— 💙•::Felicia.Renee::•💛 (@evansfelicia06) October 12, 2022
Weak. He deserved much more. This is hardly even a slap on the wrist. This sets a very bad precedent.
— Leigh Linden (@leigh_linden) October 12, 2022
Embarrassing from the Warriors
— Leo (@spIashbrotherz) October 12, 2022
Wow… Our front office really had an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and apologize to JP – while setting a precedent that this will never be tolerated within the franchise…Epic failure! This has gone from embarrassing to disturbing. A fine is meaningless and ridiculous 🙄
— Princess Tabi 👑💎💜🌈 (@ChiefTabi) October 12, 2022
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Terrible leadership!
— Mastermind (@Makepplsmile9) October 12, 2022
Garbage decision
— 49ers good season! (@MrHeavyMetaI) October 12, 2022
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What do you think of the punishment handed to Draymond Green? Let us know your views on this in the comments below.