Draymond Green has said he is done with “antics” as he prepares to return to the Warriors after his 12-game suspension. “I’ve cost my team enough. I’ve cost this organization enough,” Green said Tuesday. After three-and-a-half weeks of therapy, Green acknowledged that has been able to see where he went wrong. “It was very easy to open myself up [to therapy] from a personal standpoint because I needed to gather myself, to recenter myself and to recalibrate. It’s hard to see things when you’re just in it, it’s hard to see what’s necessary to see,” Green said.
Furthermore, the Warriors are hoping the suspension will lead to changes from Green, who has now been suspended twice this season. “I’m just open-minded. He’s still obviously a huge part of this thing and a huge part of our leadership. He is going to reassume that mantle. But he needs the awareness that comes with what he’s just gone through and what he has put the team through, as well,” head coach Steve Kerr said. However, he also noted that Green was now operating under a “no buts” system of accountability.
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Draymond Green Considered Retirement
Despite returning to the Warriors, Green revealed that retirement was a very possibility for him. “I told him, ‘Adam this is too much for me,’” Green said on his podcast, referring to Commissioner Adam Silver. However, he said that Silver talked him out of what the commissioner called a “rash decision”. Furthermore, Green praised Silver for his leadership. “[I’m] thankful for playing in a league with a commissioner like Adam who’s more about helping you than hurting you,” Green said.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Warriors expect Green to need about a week to get back up to playing strength. With that timeline in mind, Green might return to the court for Golden State’s game in Memphis on January 15. The Warriors have four more games between then and now, meaning they will have to hold on a little longer with Green. After Green’s build-up week, the Warriors are next at home on January 19.
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