Draymond green Ejection Sparks Warriors’ Comeback, Fuels kerr’s Frustration with NBA Inconsistency
The Golden State Warriors secured a hard-fought 119-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, but the win was overshadowed by the ejection of Draymond Green. The fiery forward received two speedy technical fouls, culminating in his dismissal after a physical interaction with Suns guard collin Gillespie and a subsequent heated exchange with an official. This incident has ignited a debate about officiating consistency within the NBA, particularly in light of recent controversial plays.
What happened?
The sequence unfolded quickly during the first quarter.Green blocked Gillespie’s shot, and words were exchanged as both players moved upcourt. Immediately after Stephen Curry hit a three-pointer,Green made contact with Gillespie,drawing the initial technical foul.
Visibly upset with the call, Green then directed his frustration toward the official, Pat Fraher, mimicking the technical signal. He continued to argue as he walked toward the bench, ultimately earning a second technical and automatic ejection.
Kerr Voices Strong Disagreement
Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back in his post-game assessment, calling the ejection “weak.” He acknowledged Green likely deserved the first technical, but vehemently protested the second.
“He’s walking to the bench and yells something and second technical,” Kerr stated. “I totally disagreed.” Kerr drew a stark contrast to a recent incident involving Dillon Brooks and stephen Curry.
The Brooks incident & League Response
Just two nights prior, during the Warriors’ loss in Phoenix, Dillon Brooks delivered a flagrant foul – a clear punch to Curry’s stomach during his shooting motion. Despite the severity of the blow, Brooks was not ejected.
* The Warriors appealed to the league, requesting a fine or suspension for Brooks.
* Their request was denied, leaving Kerr and the team deeply frustrated.
“How could you not be upset?” Kerr questioned. “This is a guy who broke Gary [Payton II]’s elbow in the playoffs… It’s not like there’s not a track record there.” He expressed disbelief that a premeditated punch could result in only a flagrant one, implying a hazardous precedent is being set.
A Pattern of Concern
kerr’s frustration extends beyond this single incident. He pointed to Brooks’ history of aggressive plays, including a serious elbow injury inflicted on Gary Payton II during last year’s playoffs. He believes the league’s lack of decisive action sends a troubling message.
“Apparently, you are allowed to premeditate a punch of any shooter who is left defenseless, you can now take a swing at him and just get a flagrant one,” Kerr asserted.
Warriors Rally After Ejection
Despite being down nine points at the time of Green’s ejection, the Warriors mounted a remarkable comeback. Stephen curry credited the incident with ”waking” the team up, leading to a strong second-half performance and snapping a three-game losing streak.
This victory provides a temporary boost for the struggling Warriors,but the underlying issue of officiating consistency remains a significant concern. Green’s ejection marks his 21st regular-season disqualification, highlighting a long-standing pattern of emotional outbursts and confrontations.
Looking Ahead
The NBA will likely face continued scrutiny regarding its handling of flagrant fouls and player safety. As a fan, you’re left to wonder: what level of physicality is acceptable? And how can the league ensure consistent enforcement of its rules to protect players and maintain the integrity of the game? The Warriors, meanwhile, will need to navigate the remainder of the season without Green’s volatile, yet undeniably impactful, presence for at least one game, hoping to build on this win and address the deeper issues plaguing their performance.
Key Takeaways:
* Draymond Green was ejected for two technical fouls following a physical play and argument with an official.
* Steve kerr strongly criticized the ejection, citing inconsistency in officiating compared to the dillon brooks incident.
* the Warriors rallied to defeat the Suns despite Green’s early departure.
* The incident raises broader questions about player safety and the NBA’s response to flagrant fouls.
