Is the fallout of Draymond Green’s punch on Jordan Poole still being felt nearly seven months after the fact?
Back on Oct. 5, Draymond infamously punched Poole during a Warriors practice and set the NBA world on fire once the video got out. In Friday’s killer 118-99 loss to the Kings, Poole appeared to brush off Draymond when he approached for some words of encouragement.
In a video that’s been circulating on Warriors Twitter since Friday night, Poole can be seen disregarding Draymond as he looks frustrated and walking toward the bench.
— geek (@Geek64766120691) April 29, 2023
The iciness there is hard not to notice. Poole doesn't even look at Draymond and keeps walking. Draymond doesn't make an effort to get his attention again. Steph Curry also makes a point to talk to Poole and Draymond after the exchange.
Granted, Poole is an emotional player and he struggled through a 2-for-11 evening when he constantly was dribbling out of control and wasting possessions while trying to get layups. But you have to wonder if the Draymond-Poole relationship is on the rocks.
A couple of weeks ago, Poole was asked if he enjoys an environment of “chaos” that the veterans bring to the team. The reporter was speaking about the randomness and read-and-react nature of the Warriors offense, but Poole quickly quipped, “You mean on the court?”
To his credit, Poole has never made a big scene out of the big punch and bit his tongue at virtually every opportunity he’s had. Draymond also reportedly ripped Poole in a heated locker room exchange in January, according to The Athletic, so the interpersonal drama between the two plays has been hard to ignore this season.
Maybe it was simply just Poole being upset in the heat of the moment, but the optics on his relationship with Draymond aren’t great with this latest video. It’s not like the two guys have to be best friends -- or even friends -- because they’re teammates, but seeing the 23-year-old Poole seemingly blow off a veteran like Draymond isn’t a great look for the current state of the team culture.
