Draymond Green to step away from Warriors, apologizes for punching Jordan Poole: 'I failed as a leader. I failed as a man'

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green spoke to the media on Saturday for the first time since video surfaced of him punching teammate Jordan Poole at a team practice earlier this week.

Along with saying he is going to step away from the team for the time being and give everybody, including Poole, their space, he also apologized to Poole, Poole's family and the Warriors organization for his actions.

"There's a huge embarrassment that comes with this," said Green on Saturday. "Not only for myself, as I was the one who committed the action. But the embarrassment that Jordan has to deal with and that this team has to deal with, this organization has to deal with. But also Jordan's family. His family saw that video. His mother, his father saw that video. If my mother saw that video, I know how my mother would feel."

Green also added: "I failed as a leader. I failed as a man."

He acknowledged that he is a flawed individual and that he will continue to work on himself.

Green said he was in a bad mental state on Wednesday when the punch occurred and that he is dealing with things in his personal life.

"When you are doing something when you step on the court, that doesn't go away. As a leader of this team, I need to have a better feel for myself."

He was also asked how his apology was accepted by Poole and the team.

"I think my apology was accepted pretty well from the team, at least that's what I was told. As far as how it was accepted from Jordan, I'm not sure how it was accepted." Green also said he "wants to give Jordan space."

Green said he is still anticipating playing in the team's season opener, but he is not sure whether or not that will actually happen.