SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors coach Steve Kerr said on Wednesday he was “extremely surprised” that the NBA handed Draymond Green a one-game suspension for his reputation and Game 2 antics earlier in the week.
Kevon Looney and several others within the Warriors were stunned, too.
But president of basketball operations and general manager Bob Myers stressed the team couldn’t dwell on the league’s decision to shelve Green for Game 3 on Thursday at Chase Center.
“Everybody understands that we have a game tomorrow night and we’re in the middle of a series, a difficult one, and that’s the focus,” Myers said after practice.
The NBA released a statement released Tuesday at 11:42 p.m. Eastern Time, announcing its decision to suspend Green for Game 3 for stomping on Kings center Domantas Sabonis and subsequently egging on the crowd as the officials reviewed the play. The league said Green’s “history of unsportsmanlike acts” was a factor in its verdict.
NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars doubled down on the league’s decision Wednesday, despite a storm of criticism from other players and broadcast analysts. Dumars told ESPN that Green’s “excessive and over-the-top actions” as well as being a “repeat offender” played a role in his suspension.
Asked for his thoughts on Green’s punishment, Myers said, “It doesn’t matter.
“As far as how we felt, we’ve been here before and we got to play the game tomorrow night,” Myers said. “Once these decisions are made, there’s no appellate court, it’s over. So you can react however you want to react but doesn’t change the fact he’s not playing.”
Green received a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected near the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter in Monday night’s loss after he forcefully stepped on Sabonis’ chest. Green defended his actions after the game, saying he was trying to break free from Sabonis, who was assessed a technical foul for pulling on Green’s leg.
The Warriors often feed off Green’s ferocity as he teeters the thin line between fair and not with his chirping and physical play. He has crossed it before and it has burned the Warriors — from creating the “biggest crisis” Kerr had seen as coach by punching Jordan Poole in the preseason to getting suspended in the 2016 NBA Finals for hitting LeBron James in the groin.
The Warriors maintained their support of Green even though his latest overstep means they’ll be without their heart and soul for a critical Game 3.
“We accept Draymond for who he is and what he stands for and his competitiveness and his fire,” Kerr said.
Added Myers, “He’s a force. He’s unique. He’s a leader. But he will tell you he’s made mistakes. … Without him, we probably don’t have any of the championships. So, complicated guy, for sure.”
Per league rules, Green will be barred from attending Thursday’s game. He was at practice Wednesday, though, and addressed the team.
“That’s just who he is,” Looney said. “He knows it’s a big game. If he’s playing or not, he’s gonna talk to us about the game coming up, how important it is.”
Green’s punishment could prove to be catastrophic to the Warriors, who are facing a 2-0 deficit in the series. Green’s playmaking on offense and his strong defensive presence are vital to Golden State’s success. The defending champs will need Looney to step up while also leaning on Anthony Lamb and JaMychal Green. Lamb has yet to see the floor this postseason, while JaMychal Green has seen only a minute of action this series.
Even without Draymond Green, Myers and Kerr believe the Warriors have enough to win. Kerr also noted they’ll benefit from feeding off the home crowd.
“I have no doubt that we can get this done,” Kerr said. “We’ve been in some difficult situations before, I guess not 2-0 but we’ve been down 3-1 which sounds worse, we’ve seen it all.”
