The punch that Draymond Green threw at Jordan Poole during a training camp practice session was an early sign of a divided team, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPN (Insider link). The Warriors‘ front office had hoped to develop a young group of players who could eventually take over for the veteran core, but sources tell Shelburne the strategy created a tension between the two groups that still persists.
Shelburne notes that neither participant has offered much public comment on the incident, but Poole told her this week that he believed it was important to handle the situation with grace.
“I don’t speak on it much,” he said. “But I will say that … you’ve got to have a different level of maturity. We had a season to play. You’re going to have to play with these people in the locker room, and that’s why I said maturity is a big thing. What I know for a fact is there aren’t many people who would be able to think logically and understand the magnitude of the situation, you know?”
The punch was preceded by a verbal exchange between the two players, which led to Green walking over to Poole and confronting him. Poole shoved Green in the chest to move him away, and Green responded by hitting Poole in the face and knocking him down, then standing over him before coaches and teammates rushed in to break them up.
Underlying the skirmish was speculation about their respective futures with the organization. Poole was eligible for a rookie scale extension, which he received a week later — it could be worth as much as $140MM over four years. Green has a $27.6MM player option for 2023/24, and although the Warriors intend to discuss a new multiyear contract, there’s no guarantee he’ll be back with the team next season.
Green and Poole kept their lockers next to each other and tried to maintain business as usual, but the atmosphere around the team was different, Shelburne adds. Poole’s play regressed and he became an easy target for fans and media over the team’s defensive problems.
Poole also became noticeably quieter, both with his teammates and reporters, but sources tell Shelburne the frustrations that he and other young players harbored were well known in the locker room. While Poole failed to deliver on the promise that led to his extension, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody weren’t able to earn consistent rotation minutes and James Wiseman was sent to the G League for a while before being shipped to Detroit at the trade deadline.
Another unresolved issue is how video footage of the incident, which was shot by team personnel, was leaked to TMZ. The Warriors launched an internal investigation to identify the culprit, but Shelburne states that no one was ever held publicly accountable.
“People changed after that,” a team source told Shelburne. “Everybody was suspicious for a while.”
Warriors have become the South Park where the people love their own smells. No other organization would allow Draymond to punch their newly signed max contract kid and then take Draymond’s side. Dray is a team cancer and any sensible organization would move on.
The organization didn’t take Draymond’s side. The Warriors management, rightly or wrongly, have convinced themselves that this team as constructed would not win championships without Draymond (Bob Meyers has actually said that). That is why they have put up with his BS for all these years.
Poole wasn’t offered the extension until AFTER the lunch incident took place. I almost think the organization felt pressured to do it following the release of the video.
Michael Jordan sucker punched Steve Kerr. It lead to them winning a couple of Rings. Draymond Green sucker punched Jordan Poole. It just lead to showing that 21/22 was an aberration. Poole is second tier player at best. There was never any reason to extend him.
Imo vets were not letting a snot faced youngster. Come in here and act like he’s arrived. You earn the respect of vets. Especially vets who have won. Poole was a solid pick late in 1st rd. Fact is he’s not a good defender. And he thinks he’s the next Curry. Not even Klay takes the shots this guy takes.
He should be all ears and a sponge. When around those guys. I’m sure he talked too much bs to Dre to get decked. This definitely played a role in Warriors season. But the worst. Was taking him over Payton and Wiseman. That is just Foolish ……. And now I doubt you can even move him. He’s a system guy. And will be exposed on another team. Worse than he is exposed now.
He’s not even better than Fournier lol.
I actually think Green acted like the snot nose little kid.
He is the one who had the emotional outbursts, and it is not unusual for him.
To associate Green with leadership, and being a “bad-ass” is the saltiest take I think I have ever heard on this situation.
Green needs to keep a bottle of midol around because on another team, with other “bad-asses” his would get handed to him regularly, and often for the emotional outbursts. No way for a “man” to conduct himself. Ever.
@xmaxx Kevon Looney credits his game to Draymond. Steph Curry called Draymond the heart of the team. Draymond turned the Warriors into the winner that C-Webb couldn’t.
Webber was 10 times the player Green is, and played when the game was physical.
Its not even close, so there must be numerous other factors explaining why Webber didn’t win at GS. Certainly has nothing to do with “D.Green is better than Chris Webber”
Thats not a publishable narrative anywhere
Dennis Rodman grabbed almost 20 boards a game when he didn’t contribute Anywhere else on the floor, and Looney might get 10 off the bench, and thats a boon? Webber was so much better than those 2 it isn’t funny
I agree. However, whatever actually transpired btw the two has never been shared. IMO, JP said something that really pissed off DG. Could DG have handled it better? Yes, of course. It is what it is. The punch was a hangover that never went away & had a negative effect for the season. There were other affects, but this started it.
If they trade Poole they have a possible turnaround at their hands.
If they trade Draymond I feel like the team could fall apart.
If they keep both and Klay then the team is done.
Let’s see how good of a GM you have.
Occam’s Razor anyone?
The only offseason he should discuss is this coming offseason and how he is going to work on his shot and shot selection.
My dream offseason: Myers leaves and takes Kerr with him. Steph/Dray/Klay all take paycuts to get a deeper roster. Iguodala becomes HC who also plays in the playoffs in small bursts.
GSW goes like 75-7, 16-1 next year with a playoffs roster of
G- Curry, Thompson, Kyrie, Pat Bev, GP2, Moody, Bronny
F- Green, Lebron, Iguodala, Kuminga, Baldwin
C- Looney Poeltl
Cool, good luck
None of that is very realistic. There’s no reason to think Iguodala is qualified to be a head coach. Why not Jar Jar Binks? The reality is, they should look at blowing it up. Curry is definitely on the downswing of his career, not playing with much heart. Green’s big feature is he’s a dirty player, second most overrated player after Curry. Wiggins took a nice chunk of the season off for himself, and Thompson definitely looks cooked. management should look long and hard at blowing it up, get some draft picks.
Nope, wrong – Steve Kerr had never coached basketball team on any level before taking over GSW. Iggy is arguably the smartest player in the league and has been on the GSW bench literally all year shadowing Kerr. You are going to look so dumb with this comment…
“Curry is definitely on the downswing of his career” hahahh just a clown, you said this in 2021 after Bron eliminated him in the playin game, and yet he still won another ring, like he’s going to keep winning.
Post of the year.
I would also trade Baldwin for Giannis and a first: depth is important in a long season.
Why not ask MJ out of retirement? He still had good numbers the last time he played.
Why are you being silly? I subtracted Wiggins AND Poole’s money and replaced that money with Lebron, Kyrie, Pat Bev and Poeltl – Baldwin has to stay for $ reasons – this is legit! Lebron could take less money too…
Scared it could become reality yet?? We all know Bron is coming to GSW before he retires..
Why would Bron come to Golden State? You thought Poole was the second coming of Steph Curry. That obviously turned out be wrong.
Lakers series broke this guys brain. It started off funny but it’s getting sadder by the hour
Too cool for Poole. Go Lakers!
Draymond will opt in for the money, although GSW aren’t the dynasty they once were.
Jordan Poole will have another underwhelming season, Klay Thompson is still and never will be the Klay Thompson of old and Steph unfortunately will waste another great season, with his age creeping up don’t expect him to be able to carry this team like LeBron, he’s just not at that level.
What they need to do is trim the fat, look to save some tax bill money and build out some real depth.
I’d look to try trade Draymond and or Poole. Although Klay makes more sense (lack of production, on the decline, etc) I think his impact on the locker room is a lot and him leaving would be too much of a change.
I’d try go
Draymond Green, Jordan Poole and Patrick Baldwin for John Collins, Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson.
Curry Klay Wiggins Collins Capela
GP2 Divancenzo Johnson Kuminga Looney
If I’m ATL then try flip Trae Young and Onyeka Okungwu for KAT and Kyle Anderson.
Murray Poole Hunter Green KAT
Bogdanovic Bey Anderson
GSW gain depth and retool. Collins fits great as a 3rd/4th scoring option, can space the floor, can run and finish well in transition, can be a small ball 5 aswell. Capela fits the mood of past GSW centres, big, tall, strong, rim protection, rebounding. Plus you get Halen Johnson who is a handy forward for depth. The defence takes a step back without Dray but gets better by adding Capela. The flow of the offence has to be run through Steph more without Dray but Collins offers a lot more points.
As for ATL, you have a very solid point in Murray. He gives you close to 20-10-5 most nights, Poole is a really solid go to scoring option. Hunter is your 3 and D wing. KAT is your main scoring option and star player and what he lacks in defence you have Draymond helping cover and read the plays. Murray Hunter Dray are all great defenders. Then off the bench they have the start to something really good. Bogi is great, Griffin/Bey are solid wing/forward options and you have Kyle Anderson who is dependable aswell. Great mix of youth and experience.
Minny would look great too Trae Ant McDaniels Gobert
Hopefully Poole lays him out before he leaves. After watching how giggly Draymond was after the game, it was obvious he threw the series so his LeButt Buddy would win
Poole still sucks.
That punch was so severe it made poole forgot how to play basketball and his performance from this season was never the same like last season. I blame this on draymond if he never punched poole. Poole would have put up the same numbers like SGA by now
Poole was never a good player.