The NBA announced Monday its decision not to suspend Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green one game for his kick to Thunder center Steven Adams’ groin during Game 3 Sunday. The play was upgraded to a Flagrant-2 and Greeen was fined $25,000.
“After a thorough investigation that included review of all available video angles and interviews with the players involved and the officials working the game, we have determined that Green’s foul was unnecessary and excessive and warranted the upgrade and fine,” said VanDeWeghe.
“During a game, players – at times – flail their legs in an attempt to draw a foul,” VanDeWeghe continued, “but Green’s actions in this case warranted an additional penalty.”
The key here is that Green is now one flagrant away from serving a one-game suspension in the subsequent game. So in totality, the NBA doesn’t suspend him, but gives him as strict a warning as they can that no more funny business will be tolerated. However, were Green to be assessed a Flagrant-2 foul in-game, he would be ejected from the game. As it was upgraded after the game, however, Green serves no suspension of play.
Green had adamantly defended himself Sunday night and again Monday, saying that the kick was not intentional, that he was trying to sell a foul, and making comparisons to Russell Westbrook’s similar play. Green was a minus-43 in Game 3 as the Thunder’s smallball unit ran the vaunted Warriors’ small lineup off the floor.
Westbrook said Sunday that Green should be suspended given it was the second time in two games that Green made contact with Adams’ private parts. Adams took the high road about the low blow, saying that it wasn’t his call, and saying Monday he believes the Thunder can beat the Warriors anyway.
