Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Writer December 14, 2023, 1:00 a.m. ET
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- ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010
- He spent seven years with the Cleveland Cavs
- Author of two books
While the video clip of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green punching Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face was played repeatedly on phones and television, it was easy to miss one of the more disappointing aspects of the incident.
In his own words, Green described Tuesday's apparent No. 2 foul and third ejection in 15 games this season as an accident and even called it “bad luck” when he tried to call the foul that Green believed Nurkic committed had to “sell” by holding. his hip. But with Nurkic lying facedown on the field, Green appeared to show no hint of remorse.
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As the NBA league office grapples with how to handle the emotional reaction to the recent Green incident, this cold reaction cannot be ignored. After his five-game suspension for grabbing Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert by the neck last month, Green said, “I don't live my life with regrets.”
The fact that Green is repeatedly expelled and suspended is of course problematic. The NBA's decision to extend this suspension indefinitely, combined with a process that includes counseling, shows that it is less about punishment and more about trying to focus on the matter at hand.
“Am I learning the lesson I need to learn from this?” That's what Green said on Nov. 26 as his first suspension of the season ended. “The reality is that people think the lesson you need is never the right one because they know nothing about you.
“The message and the lesson are 100 percent no one’s business.”
The NBA makes it their business.
Nurkic ultimately received a tepid apology from Green after the game. That's more than Gobert was offered. Or to Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis when Green was suspended one game during the playoffs in April for kicking Sabonis in the chest, as Green explained at the time: “I've got to land my foot somewhere.”
The Warriors have been running a whole apology campaign for Green's behavior for years. Green will do something offensive, big or small, and the Warriors will fall into a routine. Coach Steve Kerr will apologize for him. Former general manager Bob Myers would apologize on his behalf. Public relations staff will do this.
It's not so much about the superficial nature of the gesture. Despite all these incidents, technical fouls, fines and suspensions, Green's behavior hasn't changed all that much over the years. His continued actions do not indicate that he is sorry for much.
This is what the NBA is trying to address with its recent suspension announcement process, which it has intentionally kept vague. Whether it works or not is another question.
At the very least, it will silence the news cycle that would be ready to respond with the number of games Green would have received if it had been a traditional suspension. But it's also an admission that simply increasing penalties doesn't work.
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Windhorst: Draymond ruined an important season for the Warriors
Brian Windhorst explains how Draymond Green's third ejection ruins an important season for the Warriors.
“We’re working hard on that behind the scenes. Draymond has to find a way not to cross the line. And I'm not talking about an expulsion or a technical investigation, I'm talking about an act of physical violence.” This is inexcusable. We must do everything we can to give him the help and support he needs to make this distinction.”
Kerr said this on November 16th. But this quote could have been used any number of times in the last decade. The Warriors gave Green a $100 million deal in July, making it clear that concerns on the matter have their limits.
Last year, after Green beat teammate Jordan Poole in a preseason practice, Green announced he would take some time off to “continue working on myself.” Green was back in time for ring night.
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Since then he has been suspended four times.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Executive Vice President Joe Dumars – the so-called disciplinary czar and one of the most respected men in the league office – are trying to get Green to examine how he can break this vicious cycle.
They devised this unusual punishment to force change. They're trying to help the Warriors find a way to deal with Green's issues, whether or not the team wanted the help. They're trying to make this the final interruption to Green's likely Hall of Fame career.
Good luck.