Speaking on 95.7 ‘The Game,’ longtime Warriors coach Steve Kerr broke his silence on No. 23 and the actions that led up to his indefinite suspension. In a moment of authenticity, Kerr condemned Draymond’s behavior and challenged him to be better when he returns to the court.
“What’s happened over the last year it has been disappointing and we are really counting on Draymond to make some strides with this stuff,” said Kerr, “and we’re confident that he will be able to and that he’ll be able to come back and play at a high level.”
Steve Kerr went on to say that while he has confidence that Draymond has put the worst behind him, he remains unsure when the NBA will lift his suspension. As it stands, there is no set timetable for Draymond’s return, and it’s really up to the NBA to decide when he will be allowed back into action.
Draymond Is On A Short Leash
For Green, his issues trace back years now. From his flaming groin kicks to his constant chattering with the refs, Draymond built up a certain reputation long before he went off the rails in this campaign. As good as he’s been on both ends for the Warriors, his tendency to lose control on the floor can be a detriment at times… just as we are seeing this season. So when he choked out Rudy Gobert and socked Jusuf Nurkic in the face, it’s no surprise that it was seen as the last straw in the eyes of the NBA.
Not even Draymond, who has never been apologetic, could defend his actions after the Suns game, and by the time fans saw the clip circulating online, there was a feeling that the league would respond. To this day, Green remains suspended from NBA action. And even as he ramps up for his eventual return, nobody is sure what to expect when he finally comes back.
Trouble In Golden State
In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors have been one of the biggest stories of the season. Still fresh off their championship victory in 2022, the Dubs were hoping to capture something special this season with Steph, Klay, and Draymond all together still together. Unlike in previous years, however, that formula has not achieved favorable results. At 16-17, the Warriors are 11th in the West and a far cry from where they were just two seasons ago.
The crux of the problems starts with the Splash Bros, who have been a shell of themselves all season long. After a hot start, Stephen Curry has struggles of late and just recently ended a major shooting slump that saw him shooting horrible efficiency. For Thompson, the decline is much more severe and his 42% shooting this season marks the lowest of his entire career. Of course, there’s also the ongoing situation with Draymond, who has struggled to even stay on the floor for the Warriors. These components have all mixed to create a really bad situation for the Golden State Warriors but if there’s any team that can respond and bounce back in a big way, it’s them. Whether you love them or hate them, you cannot count the Warriors out, and when they are fully healthy and whole, they are still a tough team to beat, Steve Kerr knows this better than anyone.
