Draymond Green addressed the media for the first time yesterday since his verbal altercation with Kevin Durant on Monday at the end of regulation against the Clippers. Green served a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Draymond Green addressed the KD situation for the first time: “We’re not going to crumble off an argument”. (via @anthonyVslater) pic.twitter.com/5iRUlc7hUi
— Basketball Society (@BBallSociety_) November 15, 2018
The Warriors suffered a 107-86 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night with Green back in the lineup. The two-time defending champs, still without Stephen Curry, looked out of rhythm and fatigued, which for now could easily be stemming from the drama of their current situation.
Steve Kerr said the team is “banged up physically and banged up spiritually” after the loss.
Steve Kerr: “We’re banged up physically and banged up spiritually.” Said he liked Draymond’s tenor/energy in the game though. pic.twitter.com/nNSRpiE3NG
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 16, 2018
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported that Green’s one-game suspension came because of his specific remarks to Durant.
Green called Durant a “bitch” multiple times, sources said. In a summarized version, sources said Green shouted, “You’re a bitch and you know you’re a bitch.” The rhetoric, sources said, continued even when Kerr attempted to direct the team’s attention to his whiteboard.
But what ultimately led to Green’s suspension, sources said, was a remark in which he dared Durant to bolt in free agency next summer. Durant has a player option for the 2019-20 season, and the Warriors want their superteam intact for the opening of their new arena, the Chase Center, in San Francisco next season.
Green blurted to Durant something along the lines of, “We don’t need you. We won without you. Leave,” sources said.
Durant’s looming free agency is now only magnified by Green’s alleged comments. Reports have circulated that Durant could be prepping a move to the Lakers to team up with LeBron James. He has a player option for the 2019-20 season.
"Nobody thinks twice about Kevin's free agency this summer."
Steve Kerr downplays the incident between KD and Draymond. pic.twitter.com/VTD1bEXCSo
— Basketball Society (@BBallSociety_) November 14, 2018
Haynes also reported that the belief within the organization is that Green’s comments may have cut too deep because they certainly don’t feel the same way about not needing Durant.
In Green’s defense, his competitive spirit took over the at the moment leading him to say something he probably doesn’t truly believe. Still, the Warriors organization seems somewhat concerned about this having residual impact on how Durant makes his decision next summer. Fortunately for them, there’s still an entire season left to remedy any internal wounds.
Well, for the Warriors sake, at least the blowout L is giving Steph Curry some time to bring KD and Draymond (and Cousins) together on the bench for a light-hearted conversation pic.twitter.com/IhylhtkovQ
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 16, 2018
Being banged up physically refers to Curry, DeMarcus Cousins, and as Haynes reported, Draymond Green technically made his return to the court prematurely because he wanted to be on the floor with his teammates. He’s still suffering from a toe injury.
Being banged up spiritually has to do with the drama of this week, and how they respond from it will have implications for their three-peat, and now possibly their future with Kevin Durant.
Draymond Green: “We’re still going to win a bunch of games and win the championship.” pic.twitter.com/QBo2XlPNsj
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 16, 2018
