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Golden State Warriors PF Draymond Green reinstated by the NBA after 12 - Game Suspension
Introduction
On Saturday, January 6th, 2024 the NBA reinstated the controversial and troubled veteran, Draymond Green, from an initial indefinite NBA suspension that eventually lasted just 12 - games, and the Golden State Warriors power forward in Green is currently expected to need approximately a week of ramp - up practice and team activities prior to returning to NBA game action soon enough.
Violation of Player’s Conduct Policy
Green returned to the Golden State Warriors' practice facility this Sunday, January 7th, 2024 after being away from the Warriors while serving his long - term NBA suspension according to credible sources around the NBA.
The National Basketball Association announced an indefinite suspension / ban for Green on December 13th, 2023 which was only 1 - day following Draymond striking the center, Jusuf Nurkic, in the face during a game where Green’s Golden State Warriors played against Nurkic’s Phoenix Suns.
The League has this to say…
"Green completed steps that demonstrated his commitment to conforming his conduct to standards expected of NBA players," the National Basketball League discerned in a recently released public statement. "He has engaged in meetings with a counselor and has met jointly on multiple occasions with representatives of the NBA, the Warriors and the National Basketball Players Association, both of which will continue throughout the season."
The group meetings which just so happened to be conducted over video calls and also these issues that were handled included Green's agent, Klutch CEO Rich Paul, the Golden State Warriors general manager, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and team’s trainer Rick Celebrini were part of what the NBA described as, "certain league and team conditions," that Green had to fulfill before his ultimate reinstatement to play once again.
The league proposed that Green’s path toward being reinstated would be centered around counseling following a disturbing string of multiple on - the - court - incidents revolving around Draymond’s unacceptable behavior. A few weeks before he struck Nurkic in his face, Green put the Utah Jazz center in Rudy Gobert in a serious chokehold. The Golden State Warriors agreed with the NBA's procedural approach prior to Green’s reinstatement.
"The one who choked Rudy, the one who took a wild flail at Jusuf, the one who punched Jordan [Poole] last year -- that's the guy who needs to change," the Golden State Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, explained that the day after Green's suspension was officially announced. "This is not just about an outburst on the court. It's about his life. It's about someone who I believe in, someone I have known for decades, who I love for his loyalty."
While Green was completely away from his team, Draymond had very little contact with coach Kerr as well as most of his other teammates.
"Space was important for him and us," Kerr stated last Thursday, January 4th, 2024. "We're trying to win games, and he's trying to put himself in a position to come back."
Green managed to lose a total of just under approximately $2 million during his NBA suspension, which saved the Golden State Warriors around $9 million on their projected luxury tax bill.
With or Without Draymond Green
The Golden State Warriors have now recently compiled an overall record of 7 and 5 throughout Green's 12 - games away from the team on the playing courts. The Golden State Warriors are 10 and 10 so far this season when Draymond has not been available to participate, whether it was due to injury and / or suspension, and they are 7 and 8 in Green’s 15 - previously played basketball games.
The Golden State Warriors will next host the Toronto Raptors as well as the New Orleans Pelicans at home, and then the Golden State Warriors will travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls followed by the Bucks in Milwaukee over the upcoming week or so.
Green’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
- 4 - Time NBA Champion (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
- 4 - Time NBA All - Star Selection (2016, 2017, 2018, 2022)
- All - NBA Second Team Selection (2016)
- All - NBA Third Team Selection (2017)
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winner (2017)
- 4 - Time NBA All - Defensive First Team Selection (2015, 2016, 2017, 2021)
- 4 - Time NBA All - Defensive Second Team Selection (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
- NBA Steals Leader (2017)
- NABC National Player of the Year Award Winner (2012)
- Consensus First - Team All - American Selection (2012)
- Big Ten Player of the Year Award Winner (2012)
- First - Team All - Big Ten Selection (2012)
- 2 - Time Third - Team All - Big Ten Selection (2010, 2011)
- Big Ten All - Defensive Team Selection (2012)
- Big Ten tournament Most Outstanding Player Award Winner (2012)
- Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Award Winner (2010)
- Number 23 Retired by the Michigan State Spartans
- Fourth - Team Parade All - American Selection (2008)
Sources:
“Draymond Green to rejoin Warriors on Sun. after reinstatement”, Kendra Andrews, espn.com, January 6, 2024.
“Draymond Green”, basketball-reference.com, January 6, 2024.