The Golden State Warriors felt that Draymond Green crossed the line during his verbal altercation with Kevin Durant on Monday night, and the reason they decided to suspend Green is becoming clearer by the day.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports spoke with sources who heard first-hand what was said during Green’s confrontation with Durant, and they confirmed that Green called Durant a “b—-” multiple times. However, what led to the suspension was a comment Green made basically daring Durant to leave in free agency next summer.
According to Haynes’ source, Green said something to the effect of, “We don’t need you. We won without you. Leave.”
There have been reports that Warriors players believe Durant has created a distraction by letting his impending free agency decision hang over the team rather than verbally committing to remain in Golden State. Ironically, the Green who told Durant the Warriors don’t need him is the same Green who supposedly called K.D. to deliver the opposite message after Golden State lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals back in 2016.
Green was obviously upset that Durant called him out for not passing the ball at the end of regulation, but all indications are that the rift is about more than just emotions boiling over in a tight game. After the Warriors were blown out by the Houston Rockets on Thursday, Durant told reporters “don’t ask me about that again” in regard to his relationship with Green. Despite what Green said the day before about the situation, it is clearly anything but smoothed over.
