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Oakland, California (AP) – The Golden State Warriors do not expect the last episode of Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, to become a long-term problem for the two reigning NBA champions.
They also do not expect an emotional change from Green after his match suspension by the team on Tuesday.
Green was suspended from a game-play for prejudicial team behavior following an altercation a night earlier with Durant, although GM Bob Myers refused to give details of the behavior of the All Star forward who was considered going too far. Myers and Steve Kerr collaborated on the decision.
"We felt as if we had done what we were doing," said Myers, noting about Green: "He was a professional. He loves to play basketball, that's all you can ask him. "
The Warriors have announced this announcement about four hours before hosting Atlanta. Green, 28, was serving the Hawks' suspension. He was not at Oracle Arena and did not immediately respond to an SMS soliciting a comment.
"I think we'll be fine," Kerr said. "We are a team that goes through hard times like everyone else. And things are happening, bumps on the road. You must advance. It's all part of a team's training, it's part of being part of a team. You have to go through adversity and there are difficult times and you just have to go through it. "
In the final seconds of regulation when 121-116 overtime was lost on Clippers' road on Monday, Green got a rebound and, with Durant claiming the ball, dribbled the length of the field in traffic and lost the control while the Warriors failed to get a shot. Durant was shown to the camera visibly upset immediately after.
Then, back on the bench, waiting for the extra period to start, the two words exchanged and a wave of the hand, Klay Thompson sitting between them and Andre Iguodala, Cousins DeMarcus and others trying to calm the situation.
For all those who think this franchise is perfect, Myers quickly clarified this notion.
"It's hard to win a championship. You can not leave anything else in your locker room, in the story. This team did a good job, "said Myers. "I know it may seem easy in recent years. This is not it. If you are in our locker room, if you are in our organization, it is difficult.
"And they will get there, and we will continue to move forward. Hopefully we will reach the final and win a championship. That's what everyone thinks, because I think that's all you can think of. This is something we will continue to do. This team proved it would do it and would continue to do it, and it did. "
Myers and Kerr have long supported the fiery nature of Green which leads to technical faults. Myers was even sitting with Green next to the Oracle Arena at the Oakland Coliseum. Green was suspended for a crucial defeat in the fifth game against LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals. The Warriors lost in seven.
Green is excused after shouting to Kerr at the halftime of a match in Oklahoma City in February 2016.
"My feelings about Draymond and its impact on our team do not change. These things happen sometimes during an NBA season, "said Kerr." We're dealing with it – again, internally – so all the conversations that are taking place or have taken place are our business. "
It was not the first verbal altercation between Durant, the most valuable title of the NBA Finals twice, and Green. In another overtime loss, 109-106 to Sacramento on February 4, 2017, they shouted and fought over the bench.
"The most important way of managing things after they have happened," said Myers.
Kerr said he had spoken to Green, who was part of the recruiting group that was to influence Durant in the Oklahoma City Bay area before the 2016-17 season.
"They've won championships together, they've been teammates, and we're in season 3. They were teammates to the Olympic team," said Kerr. "Draw your own conclusions."
Green got off to a good start this season for the two-time defending NBA champions, averaging 7.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists. Kerr attributed a lot of attention to the ball and setting a tempo at both ends of the ground.
The game in Los Angeles marked the return of Green after an absence of two games with a sprained foot and right foot.
"Draymond will always be what he is. It's a powerful force, "Kerr said." That's one of the main reasons we've had so much success here. "
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