
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 12, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Nov 12, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Facing the MVP candidate Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, the Golden State Warriors are being on a test after two closely contested losses in their previous games. Even before the tip-off, bad news struck as Klay Thompson was sidelined due to sickness, leaving Stephen Curry and Draymond Green understaffed. In a makeshift solution, the Warriors started rookie Brandin Podziemski in Klay’s place. While Brandin had prior experience starting, it disrupted the potential consistency of the Warriors’ starting group for the first time all season.
To compound their challenges, the situation worsened as the game unfolded. Right at the tip-off, Draymond Green drew an early foul on Joel Embiid, setting the tone for the game. Less than two minutes into the matchup, he earned another whistle while reaching for a loose ball against Patrick Beverley, leading to his substitution for Kevon Looney.
Responding to this, The Athletic reporter Anthony Slater commented that Green “didn’t last two minutes” against Joel Embiid.
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Draymond Green foul on the opening tip and then a second foul reaching in for a loose ball on Beverley at the 10:18 mark. Didn't last two minutes before Looney subs in to defend Embiid.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 31, 2024
Despite Draymond Green’s high basketball IQ evident in his on-court plays, his on-court antics have become a double-edged sword, serving as part of handling the team’s nitty-gritty. However, this season, more than ever, these antics seem to be working against him.
Despite Green’s early retraction from the game, the silver lining is that he will return to the court. Fans have pointed out numerous instances where Green seems to be avoiding getting whistled for fouls. Regardless, the positive development is that he is gradually moving away from the negative spotlight. Meanwhile, things are not looking up for him as he was excluded from USA Basketball’s 41-man player pool for the 2024 Olympics after playing a crucial role for the team in 2016 and 2020.
Read More – “Beating Up on AD Tonight”: Draymond Green’s Wild Antics vs Anthony Davis Fumes Angry Lakers Fans
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Draymond Green responds to Olympic snub
Draymond Green’s absence from the USA Basketball’s 41-man player pool for the 2024 Olympics stirred controversy. Grant Hill, the executive director of USA Basketball, recently explained that Draymond’s disciplinary issues during the season led to his exclusion. However, Green has contested this narrative, asserting that Hill conveyed the national team’s need for him to secure the gold on The Draymond Green Show. Despite this affirmation, Green claims he discovered his omission through public sources.
Having played a crucial role in the 2016 and 2020 USA Olympic teams that secured gold medals, Green expressed strong displeasure when questioned about his exclusion. Draymond acknowledged that there are undoubtedly players in the extensive selection who surpass him in skill. However, he expressed astonishment at the inclusion of several names above him in the 41-player pool, especially considering the recent struggles of the national team in their contests.
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With his illustrious career achievements, Green stated he harbors no hard feelings regarding the decision. Furthermore, he shared his intention to cheer for the home team during the Olympics.
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