Media day is an important event for basketball teams where players and coaches meet with reporters to discuss the upcoming season, share their thoughts, and answer questions. During the Golden State Warriors’ recent media day, star player Draymond Green had a tense exchange with a reporter. The conversation focused on his past suspensions, something Green did not really want to talk about.
It started when a reporter mentioned that people were “worried” about Green this season, and things quickly heated up. Green, known for his strong personality, did not like the suggestion that his availability was a concern. “Why they worry about me? I’m a successful Black man in America doing incredibly well. I don’t think you should worry about me, I’m doing pretty well,” he said.
The reporter continued, suggesting that Warriors fans were anxious because they relied on Green and were unsure if he would be around. “And if you’re going to be here every night,” the reporter said, hinting at Green’s past suspensions.
Draymond Green, clearly frustrated, replied, “I’m here, I’ve been here for 13 years now.” He added, “The guideline of getting suspended is something that’s in place because it’s a possibility,” pointing out that suspensions are not guaranteed.
His frustration also seemed to come from the idea that there are bigger issues in the world than his availability. “There are way more people in this world to worry about than me,” he added.
Draymond Green’s Solid Stats Can’t Mask Impact Of Suspensions On Warriors’ 2023-24 Season
In the 2023-24 NBA season, Green played 55 games, starting 52, and averaged 27.1 minutes per game. His shooting stats were solid: a field goal percentage of 49.7%, a three-point percentage of 39.5%, and a free-throw percentage of 73.0%.
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Over the season, he averaged 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game, scoring an average of 8.6 points. In total, Green played 1,490 minutes, scored 475 points, grabbed 398 rebounds, and made 332 assists. His offensive rating (ORTG) was 117.8, and his defensive rating (DRTG) was 115.2, giving him a net rating (NETRTG) of 2.6.
However, concerns about Draymond Green’s availability are valid. Last season, he was suspended twice and missed 27 games. These suspensions included a five-game penalty for choking Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert and a 12-game suspension for striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic.
Because of these absences, the Warriors struggled; they finished the season with a 46-36 record and missed the playoffs. With their chances now smaller, Green’s availability is even more important for their hopes of making the playoffs next season.
Also Read: Draymond Green Gets Brutally Honest On Why Kobe Bryant Isn’t Considered In The GOAT Debate
