Judging from the reaction on social media Tuesday night, some Warriors fans think Draymond Green deserved more punishment for punching Jordan Poole in the face.
Following the 131-98 preseason blowout of the Portland Trail Blazers, Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced Draymond had been fined an undisclosed amount but would be returning to the team Thursday. That amounts to a week away from the team and two missed preseason games for Green, who worked out individually at the team facility during his slight reprieve.
Kerr said he expects Draymond to play in Friday’s preseason finale against the Denver Nuggets and also the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, when the Warriors will receive their 2022 rings.
So, did he deserve a stiffer punishment for clocking his teammate? Did Draymond escape accountability? Will this enable him to have another outburst without fear of punishment?
Kerr realized that there may be criticism about the franchise’s decision, especially given Green’s history of explosions. He said the franchise considered suspension as an option but ultimately decided against it.
“Never easy,” Kerr said. “No matter what decision you make in a situation like this, it’s not going to be perfect. This is the biggest crisis that we've ever had. Since I've been coach here. Really serious stuff. We're not perfect. Our team isn't perfect. Bob (Myers) and I would have definitely made our share of mistakes over the years. But we're gonna lean on the experience that we have together over the last nine years. And trust that this is the best decision for our team.”
Despite the outcry, that’s not to say everyone on social media disagreed with the decision. There were certainly supporters, too, who think the Warriors should put this behind them and focus on winning title No. 5.
But Kerr understands any flack the franchise might get from the fanbase.
“Any criticism we face here is fair,” Kerr said. “Draymond – you guys all know, covering him for a long time – he sort of lives on the edge as far as his spot on our basketball team. He’s always right in the thick of everything and a couple times he’s crossed the line. He crossed the line with Kevin (Durant) whatever year that was and he crossed the line the other (morning) in a worse fashion. Much worse.
“I would hope that everybody would respect the fact that we feel like we know Draymond and this entire group very well. While this is not an easy decision, we feel like it’s the best decision. I trust that Draymond will stay on that edge and not go over.”
Kerr himself reportedly got into a heated shouting match with Draymond in 2016, so he knows how it feels to be on the receiving end of a Green outburst. Kerr also offered an explanation as to why the 32-year-old Green wasn’t suspended for this incident, but he was suspended in 2018 for berating Durant in the locker room.
“Every situation is totally different,” Kerr said. “We don't look at everything in a vacuum. Well, ‘Now we did that here, we gotta do that there.’ We would hope that we've developed enough equity with experience we have with our fanbase, with the people watching over the last decade, that people can trust that we've really put a lot of thought into this decision.”
Judging from their comments Tuesday night, the Warriors have got through the team phase of the decision. Now the onus is on Draymond.
“I trust him,” Kerr said. “He broke our trust with this incident, but I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt because I think he’s earned that. And I think our team feels the same way. He knows he needs to regain that.”
There could be some weird energy in the building for the ring ceremony, especially when Green is introduced to the crowd, but Kerr sounds optimistic the Warriors will be able to weather this storm.
“We take great pride in what we built here – the continuity, the culture,” Kerr said. “There’s no way around it, that culture has been damaged by this incident. You have to work to repair that. You have to work to find that vibe again every day.”
