Draymond Green recently opened up about people waiting him as a “villain” or a “bad guy” in the NBA.
Wednesday night after the 123-116 Game 5 win against the Kings Green spoke about how its no fun being painted as a villain.
“No, I just be myself,” Green said. “I don’t go chasing after some villain title. Being a villain is no fun, it’s not enjoyable. But I’m also never ducking any smoke.
“So, whether that’s with a player, whether that’s with a fan or a fan base, it is what it is. You got to take the good with the bad.”
“We pride ourselves in not being front-runners, so I knew for me, I couldn’t love and appreciate the love and cheers that I got at Chase [Center], then come out here and fold because everyone is booing me from the time I came in the game,” the four-time NBA champion said. “You got to take the good with the bad.”
“I don’t go chasing after some villain title. Being a villain is no fun … I’m also never ducking any smoke.” – Draymond 👀 pic.twitter.com/9CpGIg7foJ
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 27, 2023
As we previously reported, Draymon was just suspended for one game without pay by the NBA after he stomped on Domantas Sabonis’ chest during Golden State Warriors game against the Sacramento Kings.
The NBA announced the decision in a statement from executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, who wrote that the ban “was based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts.” So Green will miss Game 3 on Thursday.
RELATED:WATCH: Draymond Green Ejected After Hard Stomp On Domantas Sabonis’ Chest
The incident took place late in Game 2 that Sacramento won, 114-106 to take a 2-0 series lead. Sabonis fell to the floor during a fight for a rebound on a Kings shot. Golden State’s Stephen Curry secured the rebound and led the Warriors offense to the other side of the court. Green was standing next to Sabonis during the change of possession, and Sabonis grabbed hold of Green’s right ankle. Green pulled his foot away from Sabonis’ grasp, then stomped on his chest before starting to run down the court.
Draymond Green is known for his intense competitive spirit and fiery personality on the basketball court, which can sometimes lead to displays of anger or frustration. This has resulted in a number of incidents over the course of his career, including multiple ejections from games and a few instances of on-court altercations with other players.