Following an indefinite suspension for punching Phoenix Suns‘ Jusuf Nurkic in the face on Dec. 12, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors has released a podcast detailing his emotional state during his time away from the league.
On a new episode of “The Draymond Green Show” that was released on Monday, the 12-year NBA veteran issued an apology to both Nurkic.
“I was wrong. I accept my fault in that, and I apologize.”
He also discussed the Rudy Gobert situation where he put the Minnesota Timberwolves big-man in a headlock on Nov. 14, a decision that gave him a five-game suspension.
“I was wrong, went way too far. I am a guy who plays on the edge … who walks right up to that line and I have no problem in admitting I’ve walked over that line. And for that I apologize.”
Green also mentioned that during his suspension, he considered retiring. In a conversation with the NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Green revealed that he played a role in his career continuing.
“I told him, ‘Adam this is too much for me. … This is too much. It’s all becoming too much for me, and I’m going to retire.’” said Green on his podcast. “And Adam said, ‘You’re making a very rash decision and I won’t let you do that.’
“We had a long, great conversation; very helpful to me. Very thankful to play in a league with a commissioner like Adam who’s more about helping you than hurting you; helping you than punishing you. He’s more about the players.
Green issued an apology to the Warriors organization, his teammates, and his family, stating that he “failed them miserably.”, and is hoping to change his mentality after this situation.
“I’m still the same Draymond you knew before … but what I do realize is there are some things I can leave behind. The antics, I can leave behind … that won’t change the Draymond that the Warriors gotten to know; that won’t change the way I play basketball.”
On Saturday, the league announced that Green had met the necessary requirements for his return to the NBA. He has returned to practice with his team this week, and according to Wojnarowski, Green will continue to receive counselling sessions once he begins to play.
Green, who has won four championships with the Golden State Warriors, has been inactive for 14-games. The Warriors have had an up-and-down season, currently sitting at 11th in the Western Conference with a 17-19 season.
He has averaged 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 15 games for the Warriors this season. He signed a four-year, $100-million contract to stay in Golden State in the off-season.
Coach Steve Kerr wasn’t sure when Green might be ready to play in a game again when asked Sunday.
For now, Green will begin his regular shooting routine again and work daily with vice president of player health and performance Rick Celebrini to determine his fitness and readiness for game action. That will include a ramp up of scrimmaging in a similar way the Warriors do with a player coming back from injury.
— With files from AP.
from Sportsnet.ca
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