Rudy Gobert might be right about Draymond Green's ejections

After Green was ejected following a Jaden McDaniels-Klay Thompson scuffle that ended with Green putting Gobert in a headlock, the Minnesota Timberwolves center suggested that Green wanted to get tossed.

“It’s kind of funny because before the game, I was telling myself that Steph is not playing, so I know Draymond is going to try and get ejected,” Gobert told reporters after the game. “Because every time Steph doesn’t play, he doesn’t want to play. He’ll do anything he can to get ejected.”

This may have stung Green, who is clearly sensitive about anyone implying he’s dependent on Curry. Last year, the veteran forward punched Jordan Poole, allegedly because Poole said Green was “an overpaid backup for 30 (Curry’s number).”

But it also may have a grain of truth to it. Green does tend to miss games in which Curry sits. Usually that’s due to coach Steve Kerr resting all his veterans at once, but  Green is also more likely to be kicked out in those non-Curry games.

But it’s more than that. Over the past five years, Green has been ejected at a much higher rate in games in which Curry is hurt or resting.

In 74 games in which Green played without Curry, he has been ejected from seven of them (9.5 percent). In games he’s played with Curry, it’s three ejections in 160 games (1.9 percent).

Now, perhaps Green feels like he needs to play more aggressively with Curry out. Maybe Curry is able to calm Green down when he’s on the court with him. Maybe there are simply fewer opportunities for a rebound-related fracas when Curry is bombing away from deep.

But it’s possible that Gobert hit on a truth: That Draymond Green is simple not interested in basketball when he isn’t playing with Steph Curry. Looking at his his statistics from the 2019-20 season, when Curry missed extensive time with injury, would back up this idea.

What probably stings the most for Green is that his nemesis, Rudy Gobert, might be right. That could be more painful than any headlock.