Draymond Green, the four-time NBA champion is known for his aggressive playing style on the court and in team huddles. His approach has helped the Golden State Warriors win four NBA titles and six Finals appearances but it is not without problems.
Green has led the league in technical fouls in 2016 and 2019 and has been in the top five every season since 2015. His aggressive play was notably highlighted during the 2016 postseason.
Green faced a $25,000 fine for kicking Steven Adams in the groin, an act that became so famous that rapper Drake mentioned it during the NBA’s inaugural awards show. Next, Green was suspended for an important Game 5 in the 2016 NBA Finals after a flagrant foul on LeBron James, his fourth during that postseason, triggering an automatic suspension.
History of Draymond Green’s altercations with his own teammates
Apart from his on-court actions with opponents, Green has had his fights with teammates as well. A major incident happened last year during a practice session with then-teammate Jordan Poole. An intense altercation turned to physical violence, with Green reportedly throwing a punch at Poole.
This was not Green’s first heated exchange within his team. In the 2018-19 season, Green had an in-game argument with then-teammate Kevin Durant, an incident that many people speculated contributed to Durant’s decision to enter free agency. Although Durant later clarified that the argument itself was not the main reason, he said it was because of how the team’s coaches and front office responded to the incident.
Draymond Green has already been ejected twice this season after altercations with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert
This season also Green continued his controversial on-court behavior. In just his 10th game, he was ejected after an altercation with Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, where the argument was heated but it not turned to physical violence.
Draymond Green had Rudy Gobert on a headlock 😳
(via @NBCSWarriors)
pic.twitter.com/3o2EowcytX— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) November 15, 2023
In the latest incident, Green along with Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniels was ejected from a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The brawl which started between Thompson and McDaniels escalated when Green put Rudy Gobert in a headlock.
Ejection won’t be the end of the consequences for Green, he could face a suspension in the coming days. Currently, Green is in second place on the all-time ejection list with 18 career ejections.