Warriors forward Draymond Green publicly addressed his Game 3 suspension for the first time on Friday afternoon, expressing confusion about the NBA’s final ruling regarding his Flagrant 2 foul on Kings center Domantas Sabonis.
The four-time NBA champion kicked off the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show” by responding specifically to the portion of the league’s statement which noted that his punishment was “based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.”
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“I never knew you could be suspended for a Flagrant 2 that happened seven years ago,” Green said, referring to his infamous suspension during the 2016 NBA Finals.
NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars cited Green’s “excessive and over-the-top actions” as another factor. Green could be seen yelling at the Golden 1 Center crowd before his ejection.
“I also didn’t know you could get suspended for interacting with a crowd that’s flipping you double birds and yelling your name and chants that you suck,” Green said. “You interact with them. I didn’t know that either.”
.@Money23Green offers his thoughts on his Game 3 suspension
Full episode: https://t.co/HRrAzAkD1A pic.twitter.com/DteopL4oOx
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) April 21, 2023
In addition to his own actions, Green discussed 76ers stars Joel Embiid and James Harden being whistled for Flagrant 1 and Flagrant 2 fouls, respectively, in Game 3 of their series against the Nets. Brooklyn center Nic Claxton was also ejected after picking up multiple technical fouls.
“One thing you’re never gonna see me say [is], ‘Man, this guy that, and he didn’t get this.’ That ain’t me. I don’t roll like that,” Green said. “I’m never in favor of seeing a player get suspended. I’m never in favor of seeing a player get kicked out of a game. …
“You’re playing for something. It’s the playoffs. To see those guys get kicked out of that game, I’m not here for it.”
You can watch the full episode of “The Draymond Green Show” below.