The Golden State Warriors will not suspend Draymond Green for last week's incident in which he savagely punched teammate Jordan Poole in the face during practice, however, he will be fined for the assault.
Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr confirmed Green would not be suspended for striking Poole, per the NBA. He made the confirmation after the Warriors' preseason game win against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Though, he did not disclose how much Green paid as a penalty for his misconduct.
Steve Kerr explains why Draymond Green was just fined and not punished. He said throughout the last week, the Golden State Warriors have spent an enormous amount of time in "deep discussions" with key personalities in the organization. Kerr stated that since the incident last Wednesday, everyone involved has had many conversations and that Draymond Green and Jordan Poole have met to address the issue. Stephen Curry, a two-time MVP, has spearheaded some of these discussions.
"I can tell you there have been a lot of conversations, individual, one-on-one discussions, players-only discussions," Kerr said, noting that they talked about any arrangement imaginable. That was how tremendous, at the same time "exhausting," things went for the Warriors following the Draymond Green-Jordan Poole altercation.
Green has been absent from team practice since the altercation. He has been working out on his own every day instead of with the team, but might compete in the Warriors' final game of the preseason against the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Steve Kerr says Draymond has been fined, but not suspended, and will play in the last preseason game on Friday pic.twitter.com/KsfLlzNHsD
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 12, 2022
The Warriors' Biggest Crisis So Far
Steve Kerr explained that the outcome of the incident was an indication of the management and coaching staff's "extremely well" understanding and familiarity with the players. Though he admitted that, since he became the coach of the Warriors, the situation was the "biggest crisis" they have ever faced, and it is a "serious" matter.
Read Also : New York City Education Dept. Ex-LGBTQ Program Manager Admits Trans Athletes Have 'Competitive Advantage'
Steve Kerr remarked that the Golden State Warriors "take pride" in the continuity and culture they built. He also acknowledged that the incident had caused irreparable harm to the team and there should be efforts to fix it. " You have to find that vibe again every day."
Having experienced this firsthand, coach Kerr sees the need to focus inside to "regenerate" their team spirit, for talent alone is not enough to win titles. It requires good chemistry between the players. He underscored that trust and motivation within the team must be "rebuilt" immediately, according to NBC Sports.
Footage Leak Unter Investigation
On Friday, TMZ released footage of the punch provided to them. Green can be seen moving up to Poole on the baseline and putting his chest on hers. Poole pushed Green away with both hands, but Green countered with a right to the face, sending Poole, a fourth-year guard, crashing into the wall beyond the baseline.
Kerr has stated that the footage leak is now being investigated, CBS Sports reported.
Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, and general manager Bob Myers have all addressed the media about the incident.
Golden State is looking ahead to its home opener on October 18 against the Los Angeles Lakers and will do its best to put this crisis and the preseason behind it.
Related Article: Raiders: Davante Adams Shoves Cameraman to the Ground After Defeat, Sparks Massive Backlash
