Draymond Green lost ‘great respect’ for Sabonis
NBA Analytics NetworkThe first round between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings was an emotional one…
The first round between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings was an emotional one. The defending champion Warriors were determined to show they were still capable of competing despite a mixed regular season and the Kings were back in the postseason for the first time in 16 years.
Unsurprisingly, there were some tense moments during the seven-game series. Emotions overflowed more than once, especially in Game 2. That was when Draymond Green infamously stomped Domantas Sabonis’ chest after Sabonis grabbed Green’s foot/ankle as he fell to the ground.
For his actions, Green was suspended for Game 3 of the series. If it weren’t for Kevon Looney in his absence, things could have turned out very differently for Golden State.
The Warriors would eventually recover from their 2–0 deficit and win the series in seven games, blowing out the Kings 120–100. This could be a rivalry in the making as the Kings are one of the young up and coming teams that will try to dethrone the Warriors.
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But Golden State won’t lack motivation every time they take the court against Sacramento. Sabonis gave them a lot of that, as he annoyed Green with how he handled things after the series. Sabonis did not shake hands with either player, which Green took as a sign of disrespect.
“I have lost a lot of respect for Sabonis. Don’t you guys shake hands after you lose? I don’t respect that… You lost, deal with it. Pay your respect.”
It’s easy to guess why Sabonis might not have been in the mood to exchange pleasantries with Green and the Warriors. He had been beaten and battered throughout the series, receiving numerous punches, bruises and injuries. It wouldn’t be surprising if he also held some grudge for the punch in Game 2.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Domantas Sabonis & Sacramento Kings Updates
Green spoke from experience doing something similar when the Warriors lost to the Cavaliers in Game 7. For all he felt about the loss, he knew it wasn’t right to show some respect to his opponents who had just beaten him, so he went back on the field to show the Cleveland players some love.
Green was also suspended one game in that NBA Finals for punching LeBron James in the groin area. But he still soaked it up and did the right thing by coming out to congratulate his opponents on their win.
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