As the Warriors prepare to welcome Draymond Green back from a one-game suspension, the star forward made a point to deliver a message to the NBA ahead of Game 4 against the Kings on Sunday.
Green spoke to reporters following his return to practice on Saturday about the league’s decision to factor in past discipline he’s received while determining his punishment for stepping on Domantas Sabonis’s chest and getting into it with fans during Game 2. When asked if he thinks the NBA created the “Draymond rule” by using his history in its review, the four-time NBA champion was quick to dismiss the idea and the possible effect it might have on his game.
“They created Draymond rules before, them s—s don’t work. Here I am, still sitting here, still winning” said Green, who was ejected for the 17th time in his career after earning a Flagrant 2 foul for the stomp.
He continued, “Draymond won’t be moved by the Draymond rule. I’ll continue to play the game how I play the game, operate how I operate, be exactly who I am because that leads to winning. If I was losing, they wouldn’t be creating Draymond rules. As long as they create Draymond rules, that means we’re winning and that’s great … but it doesn’t change Draymond. So, it is what it is.”
Green’s comments echoed similar sentiments he shared earlier this week on his podcast, where he questioned the validity of the suspension.
“I never knew you could be suspended for a Flagrant 2 that happened seven years ago,” he said, in part, as a nod to his only other playoff suspension during the 2016 NBA finals.
"As long as they're creating Draymond Rules, that means we're winning and that's great."@KerithBurke asks Draymond about the precedent the NBA might have set pic.twitter.com/6FWvHb1lU8
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 22, 2023
As has been the case throughout his career, Green appears more than willing to stand firm in the way he approaches the game while continuing to play a pivotal role in the Warriors dynasty. And, following Golden State’s dominant Game 3 win, the 11-year veteran is poised to re-join the fold for what is sure to be a raucous showdown against Sacramento inside Chase Center.
With Green back alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Big 3 will look to lead their team to another big win against the Kings at home on Sunday to even their first-round series.
