The Golden State Warriors never really recovered from Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole in training camp to begin their title defense ahead of the 2022-2023 season. The first reports of Green punching Poole in practice happened in early Oct., with video surfacing a few days later. The incident seemed to hang over Golden State all year: the Warriors finished as the No. 6 seed in the West at 44-38, and eventually were upset in the second round of the NBA Playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors traded Poole and re-signed Green to a new contract at the start of this offseason. Poole is now a Washington Wizard, with long-time rival Chris Paul coming back to Golden State. Green re-upped on a four-year, $100 deal. Just about everyone has moved past the training camp punch ... except for Green.
Green appeared on Patrick Beverley’s podcast this week and again commented on why he punched Poole. Green said that lose his cool out of nowhere — the animosity between him and Poole had been building over time. Listen to Green’s comments here:
LETS TALK ABOUT IT!@Money23Green Episode 40 out TOMORROW 10 AM! pic.twitter.com/h3zTGXoxc9
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) July 19, 2023
Here’s the quote from Green:
“I don’t just hit people. Dialogue of course happens over time, and you usually ain’t triggered by something that fast to that degree. You know what I’m saying? This is a team. Ain’t nobody on my team triggering me in an instant. We know stuff you don’t say amongst men. We know things you that you have to stand on.”
Poole’s dad responded on Twitter.
I’m stand on this that’s is some bs. Jp was his guy and he avoid me all last yr. He is a soft as bitch and I’m standing on this and he didn’t apologize to me and my wife. So he lame and me and him can meet anytime he want
— Anthony Poole (@apoole98) July 19, 2023
While Poole has never spoken publicly about the incident, Green can’t stop talking about it. He self-produced a 21-minute documentary called “The Countdown” which touched on the punch. This clip aired just days into the season, and felt like something that should have been handled in-house.
As Green’s latest comments were making the rounds on Wednesday, NBA fans seemed to agree they were getting tired of Draymond talking so much.
Draymond Green talks too much......he can't move on, Poole hasn't said shyit he has a right to chirp if he wants too he doesn't owe the Warriors shyit.....
— Ricky G (@jrichardgoodman) July 19, 2023
Y’all watched Dray get into an altercation with KD. Now Poole. And somehow the takeaway is that Draymond is innocent and has done nothing wrong? Y’all aren’t serious people. And you’re enablers clearly. He’s always the common denominator. Like bffr
— Nat (@natfluential) July 19, 2023
If Draymond is going to keep talking about the punch, he should at least reveal what Jordan Poole said or did. All the hinting and “I don’t just hit people” talk without any concrete info makes him sound like he DOES just hit people.
— Sean Keane (@seankeane) July 19, 2023
Really wish Draymond would just shut up about the incident. It’s immature and completely unnecessary, especially given the maturity Poole has displayed in *NOT* doing that himself. Grow up.
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) July 19, 2023
The world: *moves on from Draymond punching Jordan Poole*
— Patrick Fenelon (@Patrick_Fenelon) July 19, 2023
Draymond: "AND ANOTHER REASON WHY IT WAS ACTUALLY GOOD THAT I PUNCHED A TEAMMATE WAS THAT..." https://t.co/lHZYCMhvBG
Green seems to prove in the NBA Playoffs every year that he’s still a high-impact player. He remains perhaps the smartest defender in the NBA, as well as a critical connective piece on offense even as his scoring ability as waned. Still, there are times when it feels like Green is more interested in boosting his media career than acting in the best interest of the Warriors.
Time is running out on Golden State’s championship era. With four rings on his finger, the legacy of Green is secure. It would just be nice to see him keep the focus on the upcoming season instead of storytelling.
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