Nearly three years ago, the infamous Draymond Green–Jordan Poole punch was caught on camera and posted online for millions of people to see. The world watched as Green retaliated against Poole’s shove with a a swinger’s punch, forcing him into the wall of the Warriors’ practice facility.
The video leaking out to the public wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. Everyone saw the incident transpire before their eyes, confirming the severity of the altercation.
Green and Poole are no longer on the same team after a messy subsequent season was riddled with chemistry issues and underwhelming performances.
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Much has been made about how the punch led to the dismantling of the team, and how it affected the Warriors as a franchise. Throughout the years since the video was uploaded, it remains evident that the wound is very much still fresh.
The Beginning of the End
The Warriors entered the 2022 preseason looking to defend their title and appeared equipped to do so. Their outlook was bright, thanks to the rise of Poole.
Team chemistry was seemingly at an all-time high, as one would expect following a championship season. The Warriors had just returned from their series of preseason games in Tokyo vs. the Washington Wizards, a trip that forced teammates to become closer and helped build team camaraderie.
Poole and Andrew Wiggins had also inked new contracts and appeared to solidify themselves as Warriors for the foreseeable future.
But that practice after returning from Japan was a turning point in many ways.
It altered team dynamics. It altered the Warriors’ future plans. It changed the Warriors as a whole.
Poole, now a New Orleans Pelican following a brief stint with the Wizards, was primed to be their next star. He spent years absorbing all the knowledge Curry could give him, watching how he picked apart defenses; he was Curry’s protege.
From starting playoff games while Curry slowly reintegrated himself back in the lineup, to carrying the torch when Curry’s injury forced him to miss the end of the regular season, Poole held down the fort in the most crucial times. He gave the Warriors breathing room as an offensive sparkplug who was more than capable of taking over games or going on a heater.
Three years later, it is evident that the 26-year-old ‘s talents would be serviceable to the Warriors again. He is an asset they had and traded away just a year after he helped them win a title.
Bridges Burnt
Since the video’s release, Green has made multiple comments regarding the altercation. His decision to discuss the fight on Inside the NBA’s opening night telecast was controversial. It was the beginning of an ongoing saga that he hasn’t put to rest still to this day.
Green has gone on to address the confrontation on his own podcast, as well as on others’ podcasts. On some occasions, Green reiterated his regrets and apologized; other times, he defended his decision. Poole, meanwhile, has remained silent about the situation, avoiding mentioning or interacting with Green.
But just when it appears that any buzz around the tension between the two had died down, it resurfaced again.
New claims regarding the situation emerged earlier this month. Allegedly, head coach Steve Kerr encouraged Jordan Poole to “stick up for himself” after the young guard referred to Green as “an expensive backpack for 30.” Green dispelled these claims, once again taking to social media to do so.
The relationship is far from water under the bridge. The Warriors have had to pay the price for that ever since.
The One That Got Way
Poole is nowhere near a perfect player. But the Warriors could greatly benefit from his skill, youth, and shooting, especially if Jonathan Kuminga’s time in Golden State comes to an end. Offensively, he fits what the Warriors need — what the organization has tried long and hard to replace since he left.
Klay Thompson, who was Curry’s primary number two option for many years, is no longer on the roster. Kuminga may not be either. The Warriors have Butler and Curry, but after a lackluster offseason thus far, that might be all the firepower Golden State enters next season with.
As much as Warriors players and front office want to forget about what happened, it is nearly impossible. That moment and the ramifications that followed will reverberate in that organization for years to come. They say time heals all wounds, but in this case, it is a painful reminder of what could have been.
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