Jusuf Nurkic shreds Draymond Green after being hit in the face
Draymond Green is back in the news cycle. The veteran forward was ejected from the Golden State Warriors loss to the Phoenix Suns for hitting Jusuf Nurkic in the face. Green has been ejected three times this season despite only playing in 15 games.
Speaking to the media after the game, Nurkic took a thinly veiled shot at Green, via Yahoo Sports. The veteran big man noted how he was happy to not have been choked out in reference to Green's last ejection when he assaulted Rudy Gobert.
"What's going on with him? I don't know," Nurkic said. "I'm glad he's not trying to choke me. But, at the same time, it has nothing to do with basketball. I'm just out there trying to play basketball, you know? I hope whatever he's got (going on) in his life gets better."
Green's ejection marks the second straight game against the Suns where Golden State has been embroiled in controversy. The last time these two teams met, Chris Paul was ejected for a confrontation with veteran referee Scott Foster. Nevertheless, Green's antics will likely be a major talking point in the coming days.
Despite his undoubted talent, Green is finding himself in the media spotlight far too often. Last season, he assaulted Jordan Poole. This season, Gobert and Nurkic have both been in the firing line. Green is supposed to be a veteran leader for his team, yet currently, he's causing more harm than good. The Warriors signed Green to a four-year $100 million deal during the summer, so it's unlikely they will be able to trade him should they grow tired of his current exploits.
Green was suspended indefinitely despite pleading that his actions were accidental, via Rachel Nichols.
"I apologize to Nurkic because I hit him," Green said. "So, I do apologize to him, and I didn't intend to hit him. I think you guys have known me long enough that if I did intend to do something, I'm not apologizing for it. But, I did make contact with him, and I apologize because it wasn't my intention."
Regardless of whether Green intended to make contact with Nurkic or not, his reputation around the league and history were taken into consideration when the NBA made its decision. There have been too many instances of Green being overly physical with his opponents, and this incident comes too quickly after the Gobert issue. As such, the league couldn't ignore the pattern that was forming.
Golden State has been struggling this season. The last thing it needed was to lose one of its star players for another stretch of games. Green needs to get his emotions and antics under control. Otherwise, it could cost both him and his team moving forward.
That would be a sad ending to a dynasty that's enjoyed a decade of dominance.
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