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Despite Backing Draymond Green in Public, Shaquille O’Neal Calls Out His Public Apology : “He Only Did That Coz the Video Got Leaked”

Published 10/16/2022, 5:00 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Shaquille O’Neal may have publicly backed Draymond Green but the former Lakers player still thinks that the latter’s apology was not genuine. Green was in ‘hot water’ after his altercation with Jordan Poole but Shaq backed him saying that it happens sometimes between players. He also speculated that Poole talked “smack” with Green and got a response. But he did not mince his words with Draymond’s apology. He thought it was inauthentic and wouldn’t have been made if the video was not leaked.

Shaq said, “He only did that because the video got leaked.” He elaborated further saying that he never apologized to anybody he punched and told them to keep “talking”. The center elaborated that these things have always happened and it didn’t hamper anything in the locker rooms. It was a myth, according to him, that players have to get along to win championships.

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O’Neal has a lot o experience with this. He and Kobe often had fights but that didn’t stop the Lakers winning it three times in a row from 2000 to 2002. It went out of control, though, and it broke that Lakers team irreparably. Hence, locker room fights are common but them getting leaked to the press is not.

Draymond Green will play the opening game against the Los Angeles Lakers

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Green and Jordan Poole reportedly got into a physical altercation at a Golden State Warriors practice session. The 32-year-old and Poole had a verbal confrontation earlier in the session before the latter was punched. Draymond Green has since then repented for the altercation and accepted a self-imposed leave of absence from the team.

USA Today via Reuters

On October 18, in the Warriors’ season-opening contest against the Los Angeles Lakers, Green is anticipated to be eligible for selection. He also returned two days back and played the last preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. The opening game is very important for them as all of the players will get their rings including Draymond. The 2022 championship banner will also be hung.

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Written by:

Aditya Kar

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Aditya Kar is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. A holder of Bachelors and Masters degrees in History, he has been a fan of the NBA since 2011. He has a very keen interest in the stories that define the league and the sport.
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