Boston Celtics reporter ponders if Draymond Green wants to be kicked out of NBA after punching Jusuf Nurkic
Boston Celtics beat reporter John Karalis of The Boston Sports Journal and the Locked On Celtics podcast openly wondered if Draymond Green, who punched Jusuf Nurkic and was ejected from the Golden State Warrios' 119-116 loss to the Phoeni Suns on December 12, wants to be kicked out of the NBA with the endless on-court incidents he is involving himself with this season.
"Honestly it feels like Draymond is trying to get kicked out of the league at this point," Karalis prefaced before saying, "What's he even doing? He wasn't even knocked off balance or anything. It's ridiculous at this point."
Green was suspended for five games in November for a choke-hold he put on Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert during an eventual 104-101 loss for the Warriors during the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Boston Celtics beat reporter may be onto something after Draymond Green refuses to take responsibility for his actions
Green apologized for his actions after the game, claiming he only apologizes for things he meant to do
"[Nurkic] was pulling my hip, and I was swinging away to sell the call and made contact with him," Green said (h/t CBS Sports). "As you know, I'm not one to apologize for things I meant to do, but I do apologize to Jusuf. I didn't intend to hit him... A replay is never gonna look good, but I know my intentions, and my intentions were to sell the call. I also don't think I'm an accurate enough puncher to do a full 360 and connect with someone. It's unfortunate."
Consider Nurkic unconvinced it was an accident, and also somewhat worried for Green; who he claims needs help for something that's not basketball-related. Nurkic added some humor to his message for the troubled Warriors star.
"I don't know," Nurkic prefaced before saying, "Personally, I feel like that brother needs help. I'm glad he didn't try to choke me. At the same time, it ain't nothing to do with basketball."
Based on Green's reaction, Karalis may be onto something. Denying culpability in such a brazen manner for something that was fairly blatant feels like Green daring the NBA to do something bigger in punishing him than the five games he got for the Gobert choke.
The Draymond-Celtics dream is all but dead at this point. No team should want Green until he works out whatever has him incessantly attacking his peers.