Draymond Green labels practice incident as a significant source of embarrassment.
On a sobering Saturday, October 9, basketball star Draymond Green publicly admitted to punching his teammate, Jordan Poole, during a training session and acknowledged the importance of rebuilding trust within the Golden State Warriors locker room.
On the heels of this unfortunate incident, footage emerged on Friday via TMZ, revealing Green standing near the wing while Poole was on the baseline during a stoppage in play. In the heat of the moment, Green stepped forward, dropping Poole with a forceful chest bump, which prompted Poole to shove Green. An altercation ensued, ending with Green taking a swing at Poole before both players tumbled to the ground behind the basket, causing a scuffle that required staff intervention.
Addressing the incident, Green emphasized the immense embarrassment he felt not only for his actions but also for the embarrassment Jordan and the entire team had to endure. Green noted that family members of both players had viewed the video, and he could only imagine the hurt they might feel.
On Thursday, Green extended an apology to the team and stepped away from practices as the Warriors continued their preparations for the upcoming season without him. Green announced plans to remain separate from the team for a few more days, focusing on restoring team unity and defending the championship.
With no external penalties imposed by the NBA or legal authorities, the incident represented an internal struggle for the Warriors. The team explained that any discipline for Green would be handled privately, with General Manager Bob Myers shedding light on the internal nature of the process.
Following the release of a grainy video from TMZ, ESPN reported the team's ongoing effort to identify the source of the video using every available legal avenue. With high energy and determination filling their practices, head coach Steve Kerr remarked that the team had experienced a remarkable training camp so far and remained optimistic about overcoming the incident's aftermath.
As a four-time All-Star and seven-time All-Defensive selection, Green has consistently contributed to the Warriors with career averages of 8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Meanwhile, Poole, entering his fourth season, had a breakout year last season, averaging 18.5 points per game in 76 contests (51 starts). Green expressed his love for Poole, noting that he would continue to support him and ease his workload in any way possible.
While the incident has led to internal disciplinary actions and focused the team on rebuilding trust, its ultimate impact on future team dynamics remains to be seen. However, the aftermath might have played a role in Jordan Poole's eventual departure from the Warriors, as he was traded to the Washington Wizards in 2023[5].
Draymond Green, amidst the aftermath of his altercation with Jordan Poole, was spotted near the wing during a stoppage in play, as a rehearsed bout of basketball escalated into a chest bump and physical altercation, reminiscent of an intense game of NBA basketball. In the following days, Green sought to mend the rift between them and emphasized the importance of unity, as both players' family members watched the grainy video from TMZ unfold.
