SAN FRANCISCO Phoenix Suns centre Jusuf Nurkic slammed the floor twice and made fun of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green for being “too small” after Nurkic’s hook shot over Green in the third quarter of Saturday night’s game.
Green did the same two minutes later.
Green promptly backed Nurkic down and scooped the ball over his head and into the basket with Nurkic in the way of the hoop. Green slapped the court immediately, exactly like Nurkic had.
Green criticised Nurkic, saying, “You can’t be a nothing defender if you’re going to do that.” “You’re about 70 pounds heavier than me, so why are you in the rim? Need to use extra caution.”
The Warriors defeated Phoenix 113–112, their first meeting since Green struck Nurkic in the head on December 12 and was given an indefinite suspension that kept him out of the lineup for 12 games.
Requirements for Green’s readmission included counselling and demonstrating to the league and his team that he had developed behaviour management skills.
After the match on Saturday, Nurkic stated that Green had obviously not.
It’s depressing. Nothing changed for him,” stated Nurkic. All it takes is time. He’s going to strike someone else once again. Please retract everything I stated. He is not worthy of a chance.”
Green hesitated before answering when he was informed of Nurkic’s comments during his post-game press conference.
“I thought I was great tonight,” a smiling Green remarked. “He attempted to enter my thoughts, but was unsuccessful. I will never stroll about silently like him, even if that is what he desires. Quiet men never succeed.
“He can continue to rock on the same horse he arrived on. He can take the same horse and ride his ass right out of here. It isn’t functioning.
Headshakes and giggles erupted across the Warriors locker room as a result of Nurkic’s comments. Stephen Curry referred to the remarks as “idiotic.”
The Warriors saw the clearest proof yet that Green has evolved in his theatrics and how he balanced them on Saturday.
