Referees are the biggest influence in any game. One wrong decision, and they are subject to questioning from the players and even criticism from fans. In the NBA, Utah Jazz legend John Stockton played 1504 career games without getting ejected. Meanwhile, LeBron James looked like he could match his record until he faced his first ejection in 2017 against the Miami Heat.
If we look at the WNBA, games are as entertaining as the NBA, and so are the emotions when calls go against players’ favor. Fittingly, a WNBA player recently got a technical when she brought out her inner Draymond Green.
A Mystics guard gets a technical in a WNBA Playoffs game
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In any professional sport, passion and emotions are as essential as the actual play of the game. Players put their hearts and souls into every play in addition to their physical abilities. Athletes’ best traits are frequently brought out by this intensity, but it may also bring out the worst in them too! Recently, during the 2023 WNBA Playoffs, a parallel to Green’s fiery demeanor emerged.
While the Liberty landed a comfortable win, a moment in the third quarter raised eyebrows. With an 8-point lead and 4 minutes to go, Mystics guard Natasha Cloud executed a layup off Brittney Sykes’ pass. The following moment when she flexed reduce the gap to 6 points, the official whistled in order to halt the play and warn her. And in that heat of the moment, Cloud channeled her inner Draymond Green resulting in a technical for her inappropriate behavior.
Cloud’s celebration, reminiscent of the Warriors forward, incurred a technical foul from the referee.
It’s a situation all too familiar to Draymond Green, who has been on the receiving end of technical fouls numerous times throughout his career.
Green’s fiery on-court persona, while inspiring his teammates and fans, often results in confrontations with officials.
The curious case of Draymond Green
Draymond Green has somewhat been a controversial player who has been in the limelight for his on-court actions most of his professional career. The Golden State Warriors’ 33-year-old forward is well known for his fierce competitiveness. He is also the kind of athlete who gives everything he has on the pitch and battles tenaciously for his team.
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But on occasion, this zeal spills over into behavior that could result in technical fouls and ejections.
The 4x NBA Champion’s penchant for technical fouls is well-documented. In his 11 NBA seasons, he has consistently ranked first or second in this category. Last season, he accumulated over 16 technical fouls, crossing the threshold that resulted in an automatic one-game suspension.
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Green’s fiery nature has a financial cost as well. According to Spotrac, he has forfeited $1.3 million in fines and lost salary due to technical fouls, flagrant fouls, ejections and suspensions. This substantial amount underscores the consequences of his on-court behavior.