More than nine months have passed since Draymond Green punched Jordan Poole in a Warriors practice, in a video that spread like wildfire on social media.
Poole and Draymond have both been asked about the incident in recent weeks, as Poole is now with the Washington Wizards after a trade centered around Chris Paul. While the 24-year-old Poole has been diplomatic about the punch and deflected queries, Draymond can’t let it go.
On the latest episode of the PatBev Podcast with Patrick Beverley, Draymond was asked about the punch and became defensive, seemingly trying to justify the punch of his younger teammate.
“I don't just hit people," Green said. "Dialogue of course happens over time, and you usually ain't just triggered by something that fast, to that degree. This is a team, ain't nobody on my team triggering me in an instant. We know stuff that you don't say amongst men. We know things that you have to stand on."
Compare those to recent statements from Poole, who told reporters in Las Vegas, “We’re in Washington now. Playing with Kuz (Kyle Kuzma). Great duo. Being able to really flourish, expand your game and help a new team. Lead an entire group of guys. It’s a challenge that we’re up for.”
Much has been made about Poole’s immaturity and how it led to his trade, but you can’t help but notice that he’s handled the situation a lot better than Green. The 33-year-old is trying to make Poole sound like he’s the one who tipped the scales, when it was the veteran who laid the haymaker.
Pro sports obviously breed high-intensity environments between ultra-competitive people, but even Steph Curry told reporters last year that Green’s actions were uncalled for.
“JP’s been great,” Curry said Oct. 6, a day after the punch. “There’s nothing that warranted the situation yesterday. Make that clear.”
Well, Draymond clearly doesn’t agree, as he’s still trying to avoid accountability for his actions and pin it on Poole. This issue won’t die until Draymond gives a diplomatic non-answer, but Green has a big microphone and is clearly keen on winning the PR battle.
At this point, you have to say that Poole is handling the situation better than Green. The two guys aren’t teammates anymore and will only face each other twice a season, so it should be a dead issue, but so long as Draymond keeps speaking on it, The Punch won’t fade from the news cycle.
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