SAN FRANCISCO – Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors striker, spent almost the entire post-game press conference on Monday night criticizing the treatment of NBA players, while citing some examples of double league behavior.
Green’s unexpected three-minute opinion came in the way of Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State’s opponent on Monday, who decided not to play center Andre Drummond until they found a transaction to make.
“I’d like to talk about something that really bothers me,” Green said after winning the Warriors 129-98. “And it is the treatment of the players in this league. Seeing Andre Drummond, before the match, sitting on the side, then walking backwards and going out in street clothes because a team is thinking of changing it, is a m … “.
As reported Monday Adrian Wojnarowski Yes Brian Windhorst At ESPN, the Cavs make the transition to Jarrett Allen, the team’s new center, and “I think it’s unfair for Drummond to limit his minutes” as the organization goes through this process.
Green continued: “Because when James Harden asked for a transaction and essentially got it, no one came out to say that James was trying to spend his last days in Houston, but instead he was’ castrated. ”Because he wanted to go to another Team. Everyone. They destroyed it. However, a team can go out and say, “We want to change a player, and then that guy has to sit down and if he doesn’t stay professional, then it’s cancer, he’s not good in the locker room and that’s the problem. . “
Drummond, who was wearing street clothes at the Chase Center, sitting on Cavs’ bench for most of the game, ran away with Green moments before the start. Although it is not clear what they were talking about, Green’s message was signaled when he climbed the podium after the match.
“We see situations where Harrison Barnes is being taken off the bench,” Green said. “Or DeMarcus Cousins finding out he was changed in an interview after the All-Star Game and we continue to allow that. I was even fined for I expressed my opinion on what I thought about this or what could happen to another player, but the teams are free to say further: “Oh, we exchange boys, we will not play with you” “And yet we must remain professionals.”
Green, who has long been a critical critic on issues he feels strongly about, was fined $ 50,000 for his comments made during his time as a guest analyst for Turner Sports during the NBA restart in Orlando. last season. This time, he said Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker should leave the organization.
“At some point, as players, we have to be treated with the same respect,” Green said. “And you have the same rights that the team can have. Because, as a player, you are the worst person in the world when you want a different situation. But a team can say they want to change you. And that man must stay. in form, he must remain professional. If not, his career is on the line. At some point, this league must protect players from such embarrassment. “
Green’s words came on the same day that Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver told ESPN that the team will sit on former All-Star Blake Griffin as he tries to reach a deal or a possible contract. and set him free.
“We talked about all this about ‘You can’t do this, you can’t say that publicly,'” Green said. “If you say that publicly … Anthony Davis was fined, I think $ 100,000 or something for requesting a transaction, but you can say that Andre Drummond will be publicly traded and we want to trade him publicly, so the player will he have to maintain his professionalism and take care of it?
“And when Kyrie Irving says, ‘Oh, my health is bad,’ everyone goes crazy about it. Don’t you think it affects someone mentally? As much as we put it in this game to be great. and stay in shape, produce for the fans every night and, most importantly, help your team win, don’t you think that doesn’t affect anyone mentally? “
1:20
The Guardian led Golden State by 36 points against a Cleveland team that tied its eighth loss.
Green’s words came on a night when he equaled his career record with 16 assists. His press conference began with a question focusing on the relationship he has built with Stephen Curry over the years, as Curry’s climax totals can sometimes match Green’s assistance totals. After answering this question for about 30 seconds, Green moved on to the player’s treatment.
“As players, they tell us, ‘No, you can’t say that, you can’t say that,'” Green said. “But can the teams? It goes the same way when everyone wants to say, “That boy can’t catch him.” But no one says the organization can’t figure it out. At some point, the players have to be respected in these situations and it’s ridiculous and I’m tired of seeing that. Have a great night. I see them all [el martes] or Wednesday “.