It’s frankly hard to believe, but Draymond Green is still kicking dudes on the basketball court.
The Golden State Warriors star received multiple flagrant fouls in last season’s NBA Playoffs, for extending his leg and kicking opposing players while throwing up shots. The league eventually decided to act, suspending Green after he got in a tussle with LeBron James during the NBA Finals. Before this season, the NBA implemented a “Draymond Green rule” in an attempt to curb nut shots.
https://twitter.com/HPbasketball/status/804606871030079488
Green clearly hasn’t learned his lesson. He’s continued to kick opposing players, including during Thursday’s Warriors-Rockets tilt, where he somehow kicked James Harden in the head while both players were jumping for a rebound. He was given a key flagrant foul late in the game, giving the Rockets important free throws that helped toward a 133-127 double OT win.
Draymond Green with a foot to Harden's head coming down. https://t.co/SGqKIj3vkf
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 2, 2016
Green didn’t seem all that remorseful in his post-game presser, saying other flagrant fouls should have been called instead of his.
Draymond Green confused by the flagrant and non-flagrant calls: "Maybe I'll go read the rule book" pic.twitter.com/oKCk0Z4PMr
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 2, 2016
An animated Green walked out of the presser after being asked to assess what happened to cause the flagrant.
Draymond Green asked to assess the flagrant call: "That ain't my job" — then rattles off the replay process, exits interview pic.twitter.com/38kNC25glw
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 2, 2016
If this was Green’s first time kicking someone, perhaps it would be easier to sympathize with his stance. But we’re now on the fourth or fifth violent leg kick, so Green acting shocked that the play was called a flagrant is silly. He should know better.
In the meantime, however, fans had plenty of fun with this on Twitter Thursday night.
Draymond Green: I want to win the Defensive Player of the Year award
Also Draymond: …but imagine the thrill of kicking people. pic.twitter.com/sMuSLnbEO6
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) December 2, 2016
Draymond Green thinking he's Hulk Hogan. pic.twitter.com/S7ZWJP4Qa9
— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) December 2, 2016
Draymond Green, or Hitmonlee? #Rockets #Warriors pic.twitter.com/JqzrvH4QS6
— Oktoberfest Survivor (@A_A_Ron_Rodgers) December 2, 2016
If the NBA really wants to send a message, they’ll suspend Green. He can’t continue to kick opposing players and get away with it. It’s time to send a message and hopefully teach Green that this type of stuff isn’t OK.
