Four-time NBA and two-time Olympic champion Draymond Green was indefinitely suspended by the NBA following a wild swing and hit to the face on Jusuf Nurkic in the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Phoenix Suns on December 12. This was Green’s third suspension this season, which has limited him to playing just 15 games. The other two instances involved an ejection for technical fouls against the Cleveland Cavaliers and an altercation in the Warriors’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves that included a chokehold on Rudy Gobert.
For the current instance, the NBA has punished him with a suspension of five games and $25,000 in fines. The repeated acts of violence against other players led the league offices to hand down the suspension as a way to give Draymond Green enough time to work on, as the league sees it, a personal pattern of behavior that is not congruent with league standards.
The Warriors will continue their season without the star Power Forward. General Manager Mike Dunleavy stated that he had worked with the league offices on the suspension. Despite their frustration with his actions, both parties remain committed to the future Hall of Famer.
Draymond Green History of Physical Play
Draymond Green has been no stranger to disciplinary action over the course of his career, having a total of six career suspensions, with four occurring in the last calendar year. Beyond that, Draymond has received a reputation as being a chippy, physical, and sometimes “dirty” player. NBA Executive President Joe Dumars has had to keep a close eye on his play as repeated altercations are being reported. For example, Green stomped on the chest of Sacramento Kings Forward Dontas Sabonis in the first round of the playoffs last season. This episode sparked debate as to whether Green’s play was in the spirit of the game or if it was another instance of trying to injure an opposing player to remove him from the court in an attempt to help his team win.
Green played basketball in college at Michigan State under Tom Izzo and was one of only three players to ever have multiple triple-doubles in the Men’s NCAA Tournament (the other two being Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson). From there, he went on to spark the Warriors first championship at the end of the 2014-2015 season. Draymond Green could be described as the “enforcer” on the team, allowing other players to shoot freely while he plays the physical game. And his efforts have been rewarded with four All-NBA selections, eight All-Defensive selections, and Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2017—high accolades for the 35th pick of the 2012 draft.
The Warriors Team With Draymond Green
The core of this Warriors team has stayed intact for a decade, with players Steph Curry and Klay Thompson remaining constant. In addition, the leadership of Head Coach Steve Kerr has been an influential force for the team and a calming effect to Draymond Green’s erratic outbursts. While other players have moved on and off the team, the consistency of the organization is in large part due to these four men.
The organization has expressed support for Draymond Green both on and off the court. His current suspension, they hope, will give him time away from the game to gain perspective and clear the demons that have led to his being removed from the game until further notice.