SAN FRANCISCO — Draymond Green typically addresses the league’s punishment with defiance. Suspensions, ejections, and fines for stepping over the line were mere impediments to a brashness that sets Green apart competitively. Bowing to slaps on the wrist would only take away his edge.
But Green spoke with no contempt over his indefinite suspension after the Warriors’ practice on Tuesday — his first practice in three weeks. Without a return date identified, Green used the suspension to contemplate the reasons he keeps getting in trouble.
In a 30-minute session with media, Green said he came to a better understanding of how to separate emotion from antics — such as putting Rudy Gobert in a chokehold and hitting Jusuf Nurkic in the face, actions that each got him suspended this year.
“When I look back on these situations, it’s like, ‘Can you remove the antics?’ I’m very confident I can remove the antics,” Green said. “That’s my focus. It’s not on changing who I am completely. You don’t change the spots on a leopard. It’s not going to happen.”
In grander terms, this means Green must recognize before the emotions bubble over that any outburst will cause more harm than good for his teammates.
In practical terms, that means leaving referees alone, Green and coach Steve Kerr said.
“He needs to do that so his teammates can focus on all the details that are eluding us right now,” Kerr said.
Green will not play on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans and could need a week to round into playing shape. He was allowed to practice with the team during his suspension, but did not pick up a basketball for the first 10 days out, opting to immerse himself working on his mental health, he said. While away, Green spoke to a therapist and met with team, league and players union representatives regularly.
On his podcast Monday, Green said commissioner Adam Silver talked him out of retiring. Rookie Brandin Podziemski applauded Green’s return to the fold on Tuesday, something Green said he wasn’t sure he deserved.
“I needed the time. I needed to regather myself, recalibrate,” Green said. “Take a step back. It’s hard to see things when you’re just every day in this thing. It’s hard to see what’s necessary to see. From that standpoint, it was very easy to accept. Fortunately and unfortunately I play a team sport, so when you look at what that does to a team, it’s a very tough thing to accept. You’re letting so many people down.”
During the suspension, Kerr met with Green to reiterate what was at stake for him, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and a dynasty coping with its waning years. Kerr urged Green to “end it the right way,” Green said on his podcast. It happened around the same time as Kerr’s speech to Thompson asking that he enjoy his final years rather than chasing past glory.
“There should be no more ‘buts.’ An apology is an apology, you move on, then you have to learn from the apology,” Kerr said. “That’s standard behavior and that’s what we need. We need him at his best, what makes Draymond great is his bravado and emotion. What makes Steph great is his confidence mixed with his humility. It’s interesting to watch how powerful humility can be.”
Green’s ramp-up period gives Kerr and his staff a chance to reimagine a rotation plan that is already in disarray. Chris Paul, the second unit organizer and key ballhandler, will be out for at least three weeks having undergone left hand surgery on Monday. Green’s return gives the Warriors another ball-handler and could help shore up the defensive miscommunication that’s hindered them. But his reintegration will be tricky.
“There needs to be this period where he’s practicing and communicating with the guys and once he’s ready to play we’ll figure out what we’re going to do,” Kerr said.
“He’s been here 12 years, longer than I have. He’s still obviously a huge part of our leadership and he’s going to reassume that mantle. But he needs the awareness that comes with what he’s just gone through and what he’s put the team through as well.”