Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Draymond to stay 'who I am' despite suspension

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Saturday, 22 April 2023 19:18

SAN FRANCISCO -- Draymond Green being forced to watch his team play a playoff game from afar isn't new to him.

He had to do it in 2016 as the Golden State Warriors played Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He watched that game from the Oakland Coliseum just across the parking lot from the Warriors arena.

On Thursday during Game 3 of the Warriors' first-round series against the Sacramento Kings, he watched from his home in San Francisco.

But despite missing two pivotal games due to suspension, Green doesn't plan on changing his antics any time soon.

"They created a Draymond rule before, that s--- don't work. I'm still sitting here," Green said after practice Saturday. He will return to the lineup Sunday when the Warriors host the Kings in Game 4.

"Draymond won't be moved by the Draymond rule," Green added. "I'll continue to play the game how I play the game, operate how I operate, be exactly who I am because that leads to winning. If I was losing, they wouldn't be creating Draymond rules. As long as they create Draymond rules, that means we're winning and that's great ... but it doesn't change Draymond."

Green's suspension stemmed from him stomping on the chest of Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis and his behavior afterward -- egging on the crowd and not being apologetic afterward. NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars also said that Green's history as "a repeat offender" factored into the decision to suspend him.

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers said the league is setting a "very dangerous precedent" with the suspension -- allowing teams to bait star players into retaliatory fouls.

"If we're going to start punishing the retaliators, and not the instigators, then we've got a problem in this league," Rivers said Friday. "I think the league is setting up a very dangerous precedent right now."

He watched two examples of that earlier Friday. Sixers center Joel Embiid received a flagrant foul 1 for kicking Brooklyn big Nic Claxton near the groin area after Claxton stared down Embiid and stepped over him following an alley-oop dunk.

Game officials said Embiid didn't receive a flagrant foul 2 and automatic ejection because of his "point of contact," the same criteria that led to James Harden's ejection in the third quarter of that game after he appeared to strike the Nets' Royce O'Neale in the groin.

When reflecting on this week's suspension, Green said nothing could compare to missing Game 5 of the 2016 Finals. But what stuck with him after missing Game 3 against the Kings was another instance in which he couldn't help the Warriors.

"Being in a dog fight and not being able to participate, that's tough," Green said. "...We come in here every single day all year and prepare for battle with these guys. Then to know you're ready to battle with your backs against the wall and to not be there for them, that's a letdown."

Green addressed his team before practice Wednesday. He was also at Chase Center a few hours before Game 3 working out and returned to the arena after the game.

"My message to them was that none of it matters. What matters is the task at hand," Green said. "To know and feel they have your back is huge. It's a great feeling. My focus was being as involved as I could be."

Even without Green, the Warriors played their best game of the series, leading to a win and slicing the series deficit to 2-1.

As Stephen Curry wrapped up his on-court interview with TNT after the game, he said, "They say Draymond's got a history. So do we."

Read 186 times

Soccer

Messi, Suarez miss training ahead of Dallas clash

Messi, Suarez miss training ahead of Dallas clash

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed changes will be...

Kane suspended for Bayern's title-winning game

Kane suspended for Bayern's title-winning game

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHarry Kane will miss Bayern Munich's Bundesliga match against RB Le...

Sarr and Eze send Crystal Palace to FA Cup final

Sarr and Eze send Crystal Palace to FA Cup final

Crystal Palace outplayed Aston Villa as they soared into the FA Cup final for only the third time wi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Grizzlies' rule out Ja for G4 with hip contusion

Grizzlies' rule out Ja for G4 with hip contusion

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMemphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant has been ruled out for Saturd...

Cavaliers go up 3-0, hand Heat worst playoff loss

Cavaliers go up 3-0, hand Heat worst playoff loss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Jarrett Allen scored 22 points, De'Andre Hunter added 21 a...

Baseball

Crosstown exchange: ChiSox get Cubs' Workman

Crosstown exchange: ChiSox get Cubs' Workman

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Chicago White Sox acquired infielder Gage Workman in a trade wi...

Former Cardinals, Reds GM Jocketty dies at 74

Former Cardinals, Reds GM Jocketty dies at 74

EmailPrintST. LOUIS -- Walt Jocketty, a three-time baseball executive of the year and former general...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated