Draymond Green responds to his $25,000 fine

Friday’s game between the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards featured one of the more odd fights imaginable. Bradley Beal wrapped up Draymond Green for reasons that remain unclear, and Green seemed uninterested in getting involved.

Eventually Beal pulled Green to the ground, at which point players gathered around, and Kelly Oubre Jr., attempted - but hilariously missed - a few haymakers. Beal was ejected, Green was given his second technical foul (resulting in an ejection as well), and the game resumed.

On Sunday, the league handed down punishments, which included a $25,000 fine for Green. Beal and Oubre Jr., were fined $50,000 and $15,000, respectively, but neither player was suspended (two Washington players were suspended for leaving the bench, however).

Not surprisingly, Green was not pleased with the fine, as he felt he had no role in creating or escalating the fight. And he made his stance very clear, with some eloquent, but strong words:

In case you can’t watch the video, here’s what Green said of the suspension, which was for “failing to disengage”.

How do you disengage at that point? That sound like, “We got him” to me. I ain’t never heard that before in my life. Out in the world, if somebody hits you, you’re allowed to defend yourself, it’s called self defense. If somebody shoots you, you’re allowed to shoot back - self defense. I got hit and didn’t even hit back, and got fined. Then for him to get fined only $50,000, and I get fined $25,000. Oubre come in throwing punches and he get fined less than me? That just don’t add up to me. And I know they ain’t the biggest fan of me, and that’s fine, but don’t be so obvious that you’re not the biggest fan of me. That’s just too obvious. At the end of the day, they’re gonna make out who they want to make out to be the bad guy. That’s cool, but be fair across the board. You got presidents of teams giving middle fingers on national TV and nothing’s said. You don’t want to shine the light on somebody else, make out someone else to be the bad guy, so, just keep being me. I guess I’m not supposed to be me. Tried that, that s**t don’t work either. It is what it is man, I wish I had a better answer. But I really don’t got a better answer. “Failing to disengage”. I don’t know what that means. Get punched, grabbed, and slammed is maybe what that means. But, yeah, I don’t know. Like I said, it’s no surprise. I’m the same guy who got another man’s groin on my shoulder, and I was wrong for reacting. Maybe it’s just me. I can’t - I would say defend myself, but I really didn’t defend myself. So I would say I probably can’t protect myself. And that’s that.

Whether you agree or disagree with Green, it’s pretty special that he’ so open with the media. Getting to hear his thoughts on these issues is always fascinating.