Draymond Green consequences
Draymond Green is away from the Warriors indefinitely. Golden State coach Steve Kerr called it a mutual decision.
Before video leaked, the Warriors basically said they wouldn't suspend Green for punching Jordan Poole in the face. Now Green is away from the team? This feels like a suspension, even if nobody will use that word.
Draymond Green explanation
Draymond Green basically said all the right things in his first public statement after the incident – including that his apology will be defined by his future actions, not his words now. There's nothing Green can say now to fix this situation. He must earn trust and respect through deed. Green sounded like someone who takes that responsibility seriously.
Though he complained about the video leaking and its framing – no sound, little leadup – making him look worse, Green mostly declined to give his side of the story. He correctly realized there'd be no way to do so without it sounding like he was making excuses for his inexcusable misconduct.
However, Green did reveal a little about his mindset that day:
“I am a very flawed human being, and I think I personally know those flaws better than anyone. And the work that I’ve done to correct those flaws, I think, has been tremendous. And yet, there’s still a long way to go. I think that's a constant work in process. I am a constant work in process, and I will continue to do that work. I think the day that this took place, I was in a very, very, very bad space mentally, dealing with some things in my personal life that I, quite frankly, not certain that I can't sit here and say, oh, you're dealing with some things in your personal life, that that didn’t shorten your temper, that that didn't change your reaction in moments. All those things are tied together. And I think that's where you get to see the human-being side of us, where, if you are dealing with something, when you step on the court, it just doesn't go away. That's that same brain, that's the same body that is dealing with something that's now stepping onto that court. And as a leader of this team, I needed to have a better feel for myself and just know and understand where my wit's end was and what could possibly push me the wrong way. And, quite frankly, I didn't handle that well, and I failed as a leader. And in turn, I failed as a man. I failed as a leader. And in turn, it's led to this. And so for me personally, I have to take what comes with that. I have to deal with that and continue to better myself, as I will."
“Hurt people hurt people. And I was in a very contentious space that morning of dealing with some things that's very near and dear to me. And I hurt someone because I was in a place of hurt. And for that, I have apologized. And you apologize with words. But ultimately, your actions show your apologies. So, I have apologized with my words to my team, like I said, to Jordan. And now I will allow my actions to show my apology moving forward."
I both empathize with Green for whatever he's going through and believe what he did is completely unacceptable. You just can't punch someone in the face because you're having a bad day. Green is 32 years old.
It's striking to hear Green explain himself with such emotional maturity – and see the same person have repeated outbursts, including punching Poole. I'm not sure what there is to say that Green doesn't know himself already. But why does he keep acting this way?
Steve Kerr
Asked about trusting Draymond Green, Steve Kerr said, "No comment."
That's a hell of a comment.
Kerr and Green have had their run-ins. I'm sure dealing with Green can be exhausting.
But that's the job. Kerr might not trust Green. But Kerr is probably stuck relying on Green, because Green is so important to the Warriors winning basketball games.
Trash talk
Draymond Green denied his and Jordan Poole's contract situations had anything to do with the incident.
But, following Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, TMZ reports Poole was acting cockier, rubbing some teammates the wrong way. That loomed over last week's fateful practice.
TMZ:
Our sources on site say Poole called several fouls during a scrimmage, and Draymond called him a "bitch" multiple times as a result.
Things escalated when Poole allegedly said, "You know what it is, Draymond." -- seemingly bragging over the contract situation -- and Draymond got in Poole's face, allegedly saying, "No I don't know, what is it?"
"You know what it is, Draymond" is a pretty benign comment absent context. Does TMZ's source understand Poole's intent? Heck, did Green understand Poole's intent?
(You know, assuming that quote is accurate.)
Old Draymond Green video
A nearly year-old clip from "The Draymond Green Show" is making the rounds. Green affectionately describes Jordan Poole talking trash to everyone as a rookie at training camp.
"I talk shit, so I don't mind," Green said. "Talk as much shit as you want.
"By all means, say whatever the hell you want to say."
At one point, Poole got into it with Glenn Robinson III.
"All these guys are coming to me like, 'Tell him to shut up. His young ass always got something to say. Dadadadada.' And they're asking me to tell him to shup up," Green said. "And I'm like, 'I'm not going to tell him to shut up. If you can't handle him talking shit, that's on you.
"The way he was getting under guys' skin, I appreciated that."
It's ironic now.
Leak
The Warriors are "aggressively investigating" the source of the leak, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Steve Kerr sounded incensed about the video leaking:
"In 32 years, I've probably seen 20-plus fistfights in practice. That should not make it out beyond the walls of our practice facility, and it did. That's a problem. We have to get better as an organization."
Fights in the workplace are common, and the leak is the problem? Playing in the NBA is not like regular jobs. But I'm not sure it should be this different. By concealing these incidents, NBA teams are effectively protecting the aggressors in these situations.
I completely understand the organization wanting to control everything. There's value in secrecy. If I ran Golden State, I'd have major concerns about unauthorized leaks. This video becoming public changes the Warriors' dynamic and makes it harder for them.
But Kerr and co. ought to realize that complaining about the leak makes them look worse. An NBA team being able to cover up wrongdoing is not inherently good. Really, it's pretty bad in the grand scheme of things.
Rob Pelinka
The Lakers gave lead executive Rob Pelinka contract extension through 2026, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. The deal – which matches the length of new coach Darvin Ham's contract – was agreed upon around Ham's hiring in late May/early June, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Since taking over for Magic Johnson in 2019, Pelinka has traded for Anthony Davis, re-signed Davis to the longest-allowable contract and signed LeBron James to multiple contract extensions. It's debatable how much credit Pelinka deserves. But under his watch, the Lakers have at least met a minimum standard of competency to appeal to keep those stars in Los Angeles. That's something.
Beyond ultra-important star retention, Pelinka has a mixed record. He got enough of the right role players to get a ring with the Lakers' 2020 championship. He has also had numerous blunders, including the highly destructive trade for Russell Westbrook.
Maybe LeBron/AD/Klutch deserve blame for Westbrook and even other moves. But managing those factions is part of Pelinka's job.
I'm mostly down on Pelinka. But Lakers owner Jeanie Buss apparently feels otherwise.
Russell Westbrook
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook, via Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register:
“I know I’m a good shooter, and I’m very confident in myself and my ability to shoot the basketball,” he said. “Just continue working on my craft as I always have, and take good shots. The quality of shots is important. Making sure I’m not taking the bad ones is something I try to emphasize, attacking the basket.”
Westbrook is not a good shooter. Especially as his athleticism has declined with age, he lacks the lift that made him a solid shooter from some areas of the court.
Even worse, Westbrook jacks jumpers as if he's a far better shooter than he is. As long as he believes he's a good shooter, he'll continue to waste too many possessions with bricks.
It's hard to imagine Westbrook acknowledging flaws in his game. Maybe he will improve his shot selection, even if he can't publicly admit a shortcoming.
But that quote is at least a little concerning.
Kemba Walker
The Pistons haven't made Kemba Walker a buyout offer he finds acceptable, according to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.
I don't know what Walker agreed to when Detroit acquired him in a trade with the Knicks. Sometimes, the buyout amount is pre-arranged, a de facto contingency of the trade.
But as long as Walker isn't reneging, he shouldn't sacrifice a dime. The Pistons must waive someone with a guaranteed salary to meet the regular-season roster limit. That's expected to be Walker and would probably still be Walker, even if he refuses to accept a buyout.
As he told Washburn, the 32-year-old Walker doesn't exactly have suitors lined up. There's no value in giving Detroit a break in exchange for becoming a free agent if you're not going to get signed, anyway.
Bobby Portis
Draymond Green punching Warriors teammate Jordan Poole has drawn comparisons to Bobby Portis punching Nikola Mirotic at a 2017 Bulls practice. Chicago suspended Portis eight games, as Mirotic was sidelined with a broken face and concussion.
But Portis, now with the Bucks, is giving his side of that infamous incident.
I got 8 games for simply defending myself
I think it’s a lot different. IMO
-Dan Feldman