NBA: Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant Says He Meant No 'Ill Will' Towards Former GSW Teammate Draymond Green
Green’s frustration subsided when he said on his podcast Monday that he saw Durant's comments “through the right mindset, through the right lens” and decided not to take offense.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was initially upset at Kevin Durant’s comments about him after he was suspended for slapping Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic last month.
But Green’s frustration subsided when he said on his podcast Monday that he saw the comments “through the right mindset, through the right lens" and decided not to take offense.
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For his part, Durant said he didn’t mean any “ill will" toward Green, his former teammate on the Warriors.
“Before I made those comments, they saying Draymond going to therapy and shit. What I’m supposed to think."Kevin Durant on Draymond Green reaction to comments on Jusuf Nurkic incident.
“Draymond is an incredible teammates. … Didn’t mean no ill will about what I said." #Suns pic.twitter.com/1Hwowjp8ku
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 9, 2024
“I’m glad he’s back. I’m glad he can move past that. Draymond is an incredible teammate," Durant said after the Suns lost to the Los Angeles Clippers. “He got his times where he lose his temper but everybody has those times. I’m sure they’re all happy to have him back."
Durant added: “I know some people look at me as this malicious snake, passive aggressive. I know how people feel about me sometimes. When I say (expletive) I don’t mean no harm about nobody. I don’t mean to disrespect him or his family if he felt that way. I’m just glad he’s back on the court."
Green returned last Saturday after serving a 12-game suspension by the NBA for hitting Nurkic. The incident came just over a month after he was suspended for putting Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert into a headlock.
Green said on his podcast that he realized it was unproductive to be angry with Durant and others who suggested he needed to get help.
He rejoined the Warriors on Sunday for a walk-through and then sat on the bench for a loss to Toronto. It wasn’t clear when he would return to game action — but Kerr said Green would need to do some scrimmaging to determine his status.
The 33-year-old said he received applause from teammates as he reintegrated into a film session that was appreciated but not necessarily deserved.
Draymond Green, a key member of four Warriors championships, was ejected for the 18th time in his career — most among active NBA players — during that 119-116 loss at Phoenix.
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