Draymond Green is no stranger to increased scrutiny, as the Golden State Warriors big man seems to regularly be at the center of the NBA world for one reason or another.
On Friday evening, Green and Wizards guard Bradley Beal engaged in a well-publicized physical altercation that drew ejections for both players.
While that was not a surprise to most people who saw the dust-up, Green was seemingly taken aback by his ejection.
In speaking with Chris Haynes of ESPN, the All-NBA forward said the following about his reaction to what he felt was provocation from Beal.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do if someone hits you twice. Man, you’re taught as a kid not to allow that. What was I supposed to do?”
Beyond that comment, Green indicated that “there’s history with (him) and the NBA” and “that’s the only reason (he) can think of why (he) was ejected.”
Green’s most high-profile NBA punishment came during the 2016 NBA Finals when he was suspended for accumulation of technical fouls. Many attribute that one-game absence for the Cavs’ ability to take down the Warriors, and while there could be other incidents at the front of Green’s mind, that seems to be the one with the most “history” behind it.
Regardless, it’s big news when players as prominent as Green and Beal get into it on the floor, and this fight even saw Wizards forward Kelly Oubre inadvertently land a punch on his teammate. Still, it is quite interesting to hear Green passionately pushing back against the discipline he received, and this may not be the last that is heard of this particular event.
