Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Draymond Green deserved to be suspended for five games after putting Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert in a headlock.
Kerr thinks Green went too far.
“He took it too far,” Kerr said. “Draymond was wrong. He knows that. It’s a bad look and the five games are deserved.”
The NBA suspended Green for five games without pay for “escalating an on-court altercation.” Green was suspended for “forcibly grabbing” Gobert around the neck “in an unsportsmanlike and dangerous manner,” NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars said in a statement.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors Updates
“I don’t have a problem with [Green] trying to get Rudy off of Klay … but he’s got to let go,” Kerr said. “He hung on for six, seven seconds. It was a terrible visual for the league, for Draymond and for everybody.”
Gobert ripped Green for putting him in a headlock. The Timberwolves big man knew Green would try to get ejected since Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry was out.
“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 said. “Because every time Steph doesn’t play, (Draymond) doesn’t want to play — it’s his guy Steph. He’ll do anything he can to get ejected.”
Dumars said Green’s history of unsportsmanlike conduct played a role in the length of the suspension.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors Updates
“Draymond has to find a way to not cross the line,” Kerr said. “I’m not talking about getting an ejection or a technical, I’m talking about a physical act of violence. That’s inexcusable. We have to do everything we can to give him the help and assistance he needs to be able to draw that distinction between being an incredible competitor … but he can’t cross that line. He crossed it the other night, for sure.”
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