Former NFL star LeSean McCoy has come out in defense of Golden State Warriors’ forward Draymond Green, who was handed a three-game suspension by the NBA for stomping on Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
“To suspend Draymond for a playoff game, it shows disrespect to the Warriors. They have been carrying the NBA for years, man. … I’m disappointed in the NBA. Disappointed to be a fan of the NBA.”
– Lesean McCoy
(h/t @cameronsalerno1) pic.twitter.com/ez0qQduHCH
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 20, 2023
Expressing his disappointment in the league’s decision, McCoy believes that the NBA has disrespected the defending champions by suspending Green. He was quoted by Cameron Salerno of 247 Sports as saying, “I’m disappointed in the NBA. They disrespected the defending champs by suspending Draymond Green.”
However, McCoy’s comments have been met with criticism, with many pointing out that Green has a history of getting into on-court and off-court altercations, which have cost the Warriors before in crucial moments. The team was already facing a 0-2 deficit in the series against the Sacramento Kings before Green’s suspension.
While Green is undoubtedly a talented player and a key member of the team, he has a history of disruptive behavior. Before the 2022-23 NBA season got underway, he punched teammate Jordan Poole in practice, leading to disciplinary action by the team.
Despite this, McCoy insists that Green’s suspension is unfair, stating, “The Warriors will miss his leadership on the court. I believe the NBA has overstepped in suspending him.”
Ultimately, while the Warriors may miss Green’s presence on the court, they must accept the consequences of his actions. As an experienced team with proven veterans, they have the ability to win without him. Green’s behavior is a player problem that the team has been willing to deal with, and they must now face the consequences.
Warriors’ Draymond Green was Suspended One Game
Golden State Warriors’ forward Draymond Green has been suspended one game without pay by the NBA for unsportsmanlike conduct against Sacramento Kings’ center Domantas Sabonis during Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on April 17. The suspension was based on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts, and he will miss the crucial Game 3 when the Warriors host the Kings at Chase Center on April 20.
The incident occurred with 7:03 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Warriors’ 114-106 loss to the Kings, where Green received a Flagrant Foul 2 and was ejected, while Sabonis was assessed a technical foul. Green’s actions were in response to Sabonis grabbing and holding his right ankle after falling to the floor.
The NBA has taken a firm stance against unsportsmanlike conduct, and Green’s suspension serves as a reminder that such behavior will not be tolerated in professional basketball.
