SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Draymond Green is sure this is far from his last suspension, and he had some strong words for the NBA trying to make an example of a suspension based on past behavior.
The Golden State forward is set to return to the Warriors for Game 4 Sunday against the Sacramento Kings with his team trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series after being suspended for one game during the game. Defending champion 114-97 Game 3 victory Thursday night.
“They don’t work,” Green said Saturday of any of his own rules. “Here I am, still sitting here, still winning. They created those rules before, and they didn’t work, and they still don’t work. They probably did but Draymond wouldn’t be affected by Draymond not having rules. I’m going to keep playing the game How do I play the game, how do I work In a way that I work, and be exactly who I am, because that leads to winning.”
In the fourth quarter the Kings’ 114-106 Game 2 win Monday night, Das Green stomped on the chest of Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis Center After Stephen Curry grabbed a defensive rebound.
With the Warriors running the ball up the field and Sabonis on the ground, Green made a hard move on Sabonis, who stayed for several minutes while the officials reviewed the play.
Sabonis was called for a technical foul for catching Green’s leg, and Green was given a flagrant 2-out foul that resulted in an automatic ejection.
Golden State shone in Green’s absence the following game, though Curry made clear his disappointment with the NBA’s attitude and noted how it took everyone to respond – saying “what a bad decision I think they made by suspending him first and foremost and you’re frustrated with that but You also have to understand, I know Bob[Myers]said that here yesterday, we have a job to do and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
While explaining the discipline, Executive Vice President W President of Basketball Operations Joe DumarsThe NBA noted, “The suspension was based in part on Green’s history in the non-sports business.”
76ers head coach Doc Rivers disagreed: “I didn’t think Draymond should have been suspended and I think the league is setting a very dangerous precedent right now.”
“My feelings on that are irrelevant. My feelings on that is that I very much agree with Doc Rivers,” Green said. “I think he said it better than anyone could say, but in terms of stopping or continuing the game, we won. So whatever happened around that or what you felt or how anyone felt, we channeled it the right way. You channel that energy the right way.” I think this is the most important thing.”
In 2016, Green was suspended for a crucial Game 5 loss against LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals after accumulating too many glaring fouls in the playoffs that season. The Warriors ended up losing in seven.
He cannot compare the two.
“It’s a different feeling, 2016 we were up 3-1, so whether you lose that game or not, you’ve got more,” said Green. “Being down 2-0 you have more whether you lose or not, but it’s different. So I think we’re in a completely different situation. To be in a dogfight and not be able to get in, it’s hard, not from suspension. I got suspended from Game Five.” From the NBA Finals. There is no commentary that would bother me. There is no game that can compare to that, and as far as I feel personally about being suspended, it’s neither here nor there. It doesn’t move me one way or the other. … I’m going to get commented again. at some point.”
Now, Green is eager to move on, get back on the court and keep the Gulen state going.
He said, “As long as they create Draymond bases, that means we win, and that’s great, they can create as many Draymond bases as they want, that’s nice. It doesn’t change Draymond.”
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