Why did Warriors’ Draymond Green argue with a reporter during Media Day?

NBA’s media day has given us a few unexpected talking points this year. From Jimmy Butler’s normal look to the Knicks dodging questions about their blockbuster acquisition Karl-Anthony Towns, it was something to see. Yet, one thing that went the way it always does, was Draymond Green’s participation i.e., things got heated.

Draymond Green didn’t like what he was asked

Golden State Warriors center Draymond Green was in particularly acidic form during the team’s recent Media Day as was made clear by the tense exchange that he had with one reporter who made what first appeared to be an inoffensive statement. What was the statement in question? Nothing more than a reference to the idea that people are “worried” about Green this coming season.

“Why they worry about me? I’m a successful Black man in America doing incredibly well,” Green responded. “I don’t think you should worry about me, I’m doing pretty well.” From there things only got worse as the reported continued to press Green, stating that Warriors fans were concerned about Green because the team needs him but they “didn’t know if [Green] would be here.” Needless to say, Green’s response was as frank as it was aggressive. “I’m here, I’ve been here for 13 years now,” he said, to which the reporter added further fuel to the fire. “And if you’re going to be here every night,” the reporter said in an apparent reference to Green’s history of suspensions.

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To be clear, during the 2023-24 season, Green was suspended on two occasions for different offenses. There was his five-game suspension for choking Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert and then there was his indefinite suspension which later became a 12-game suspension after he was found to have struck Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face. In the end, Green only featured in 55 games last season.

Ultimately, while one can understand why Green would have been unnerved by what he was asked, the fact remains that his behavior or lack thereof has cost the Warriors on numerous occasions. To that end, one can appreciate why there would be doubts as to whether he can improve in what will be his 13th season in the Bay Area. If the Warriors are to improve on the disappointing 46-36 record that they achieved last season, it will require a number of things, but one of them has got to be related to Green’s ability to keep his cool. We can only wait and watch.