Unscripted: “Imploding Warrior”
Unscripted By Keith Edmonds
FWIS Contributing Writer
“Personally, he needs help. I’m glad that he didn’t try to choke me. He’s got some things going on that have nothing to do with basketball.”
Jusuf Nurkic (Phoenix Suns) on getting hit in the face by Draymond Green which led to Green’s ejection during a game December 12, 2023.
DRAYMOND GREEN… There are so many ways that I could go into this piece for today’s UNSCRIPTED. Golden State Warriors star power forward Draymond Green is an uber talented player that has accomplished the following: 3 NBA Championships, 5 All-NBA Defensive team selections, 5-time NBA All Star, ESPY (ESPN) Award for NBA’S Best Player (2017) and the list goes on and on…….. But, unfortunately, for all that he’s accomplished, individually, and teamwise he may be best remembered for the numerous times that he’s violated the NBA’S code of conduct policy and committed some of the most egregious actions ever seen by a player in sports! There is no question that he plays hard and has an unbridled passion that gives him a competitive edge over many of his opponents, the problem is, he crosses the fine line of competetive/dirty play with his actions and vulgarities on the floor. Green has served five different suspensions throughout his career, and after his MOST recent incident of intentionally/unintentionally slapping Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic during a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns (December 12, 2023) a sixth suspension has been mandated! From his flagrant foul on LeBron James (2016 NBA Finals), his punching of team-mate Jordan Poole (during Warriors practice 2022) and several other of these types of behaviors, we have reached a point where opponents, fans, and even his own teammates have grown weary of his antics.
Now please understand, when I say that I really enjoy watching Green play when he’s focused and ready to blend his unique talents to those of superstar’s Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, he’s truly one of the NBA’S best players, but during over the past few years, he has emerged as one of the most contentious figures in the entire league which makes us fans at times forget how good he really is! Undeniably, he’s a vital component of the Golden State Warriors system but is frequently in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Draymond Green is no stranger when it comes to suspensions and ejections and unfortunately, he is becoming known not only for his trash-talking, which is a constant though he’s not the only culprit, but more for his bad fouls and unnecessary actions that have led to 5 suspensions and 18 ejections during games!
Without Green on the floor, the Warriors miss a key component to the balance of their defense and stability in their assignments as his versatility allows him to cover ANY position on the floor which is phenomenal!
Green’s antics put a lot of pressure on Head Coach Steve Kerr as the suspensions mount and Draymond Green misses increased time for each suspension/ejection and with the structure and balance of power teams in the Western Conference (Defending NBA Champion Denver Nuggets being one of those said teams). This also puts officials in a difficult position when attempting to officiate games that Green is involved in. The question often asked is “ How much physicality should they allow from players like Green and when should they step in and legislate his behaviors? Former NBA star and ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson put it this way when addressing Draymond Green’s latest incident… “Dray, what are you doing man? You’re too good and too important to this league and your team to behave in this manner. You’re HURTING THE GAME the LEAGUE, and your LEGACY by behaving in this manner, give US a break from this!” Those were strong words from Jefferson, but they echo the sentiments of many fans and representatives of the NBA.
So, readers, what do we do? Is Draymond a menace, or a do we continue to turn a blind eye to his antics? What would be sad is if he’s suspended for longer periods of time (he’s already served a 5-game suspension for choking Minnesota T-Wolves Rudy Goebert) forcing Warriors management to either fine, suspend or eventually trade him away from the franchise! League officials from the NBA have decided to suspend Green indefinitely (which to me means they are not sure how to manage this “latest” incident). Coach Steve Kerr isn’t sure, Warriors management isn’t sure, the players from the team aren’t sure and neither is NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Ultimately, the onus is on DRAYMOND GREEN. He has very disturbing behaviors that often gets overlooked because of his talents but even immense talents have great responsibility! At what point do we hold Green accountable for his actions that have injured so many players? What will be the next “BIG” thing that he will do to embarrass himself or the league? Let’s watch, wait, and see when he returns from his suspension and is looking in the rearview mirror of his past, or through the windshield of the tremendous possibilities where his talents can be used.