Draymond Green apologized and said he would be away from the Golden State Warriors for “a few days” after video emerged of the all-star forward punching Jordan Poole during practice.
Draymond Green issues public apology for punching Jordan Poole
Draymond Green punched Jordan Poole in the face during a Golden State Warriors practice this week, making headlines.
There were many unanswered questions after reports of the fight began to circulate, and then TMZ released the video of the incident, which showed the two going chest-to-chest at a practice, Poole shoved Green, and Green responded with a right hook.
We now know what is alleged to have happened — and what was said — between the two prior to the punch being thrown, thanks to TMZ.
While Steve Kerr and Steph Curry both stated that Poole’s attitude has not caused any problems during camp, TMZ claims that Poole’s impending big-money contract extension caused him to carry himself “cocky” in the days leading up to the altercation.
This irritated a number of teammates, including the extension-eligible Green.
TMZ reports that during practice on Wednesday, Green called Poole a “b*tch” on several occasions because Poole called fouls while the team scrimmaged. They then got into an argument over some chirping between the two.
The Warriors have yet to publicly punish Green, either by suspension or fine, for his role in the Wednesday altercation, but Green has stated that he will spend an indefinite amount of time away to allow his teammates to “heal” and himself to refocus.
Draymond Green apologized and said he would be away from the Golden State Warriors for “a few days” after video emerged of the all-star forward punching teammate Jordan Poole during practice.
“I failed as a leader,” Green admitted at a news conference on Saturday, calling the punch a “huge mistake” and saying sorry to the Warriors, his colleagues, and Poole’s family.
Green’s departure from the Warriors was a “mutual decision” between the organization and the player, according to Warriors Coach Steve Kerr, and there was “no set date” for a return.
Green’s availability for the Golden State Warriors’ season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 18, when the reigning champions will receive their rings, is thus uncertain.
Kerr stated that the team and Green agreed that he should be away from the team for the time being.
Kerr refused to say what it would take for Green to be allowed to rejoin the team, and when asked if the situation had affected his trust in Green, he responded, “no comment.”
“I am a very flawed human being,” he admitted, adding that he was eager to “do the work” to better himself. When asked what that process would entail, he remained vague.
“I hurt someone because I was in a bad place,” Draymond Green explained.
