Warriors News: Steve Kerr says Jordan Poole incident made him 'more angry' than ever with Draymond Green

In today’s Dub Hub:

Draymond Green has tested the Golden State Warriors' patience many times throughout his career. Despite these outbursts, the Warriors have largely been forgiving of Green, recognizing his importance as a leader and key player on the court.

However, there was one incident where he indisputably crossed the line. In a recent interview on The Dan Le Batard Show with StugotzHead coach Steve Kerr reflected on the infamous incident with Jordan Poole and admitted that he had never been “so angry” at Green.

About NBC Sports Bay Area:

“I think definitely the Jordan Poole incident. Draymond and I are very similar in a lot of ways, you probably don't see it from the outside, but we're both kind of insane competitors and we've gone crazy during games when there's been disagreements about strategy. But he crossed the line with Jordan and he knows it, he knew it right away. And that's made this season incredibly difficult for everyone. That story has been regurgitated a lot, but that was probably the time when I was the angriest.”

The incident occurred before the 2022-23 season when Green punched Poole during a heated practice fight. A leaked video of the incident escalated the situation even further, leading to a season of dysfunction and awkward team chemistry.

Poole was eventually traded during the following offseason as the Warriors attempted to deal with the aftermath of the blow.

For more on this and other NBA news, check out our latest news roundup from Wednesday, September 18:

Warrior News:

Steve Kerr on his biggest annoyance with Draymond Green: “I think definitely the incident with Jordan Poole”

Warriors player Kerr felt like a 'fish out of water' during her speech at the DNC | NBC Sports Bay Area

Kerr received some criticism for his performance, but overall feedback on his speech was positive as he sought to convey a message of unity in a divided political climate.

“I've gotten a few emails. But in general, the vast majority of people who have contacted me have been very supportive,” Kerr said. “I wanted to make sure my message was one of unity, especially after the team's Olympic gold medal performance in Paris.”

“I just think the political rhetoric, actually the national rhetoric on a lot of platforms today is so ugly and divisive, and I just wanted to make sure my message reminded people that we can accomplish a lot when we come together in a lot of different ways. I think that's true in sports, that's true in our country, and we need to come together.”

NBA rumors: Celtics, Warriors, Heat and Kings have their sights set on Nassir Little's contract | Bleacher Report

According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, forward Nassir Little has participated in practices with the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings.

Little spent the 2023-24 season with the Phoenix Suns, appearing in 45 games and averaging 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds. The Suns released him on August 27.

Little was the 25th pick in the 2019 draft and spent the first four years of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. He was sent to Phoenix as part of the successful three-way trade that sent star point guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Warriors sign Javan Johnson and Donta Scott to showcase 10 deals, according to Hoops Hype

Rumor has it that the Warriors City Edition jerseys for the upcoming season have surfaced

NBA News:

ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski announced his retirement on Wednesday

Film study: The Bucks must find their way back to a top-10 defense | NBA

For the second straight season, the Bucks ranked in the top 10 in three of the four factors of defense (effective field goal percentage, rebounding percentage and free throw percentage), but fell in the rankings in all three categories. Only five teams saw an increase in opponent free throw percentage (FTA/FGA) from 22-23 to last season, and the Bucks saw the third-largest increase.

Their opponents' free throw percentage (and their opponents' overall efficiency) was highest with reserves on the court. Bobby Portis went from 2.3 (in '22-23) to 3.4 fouls per 36 minutes, while Andre Jackson's 5.8 fouls per 36 minutes were the most (by a wide margin) among 186 guards who played at least 500 minutes last season.

Fouls can also be attributed to defense at the point of attack and the inability to keep ball handlers from getting into pain.

Is Rudy Gobert motivated? Will the offense be strengthened? Five burning questions about the Wolves | The Athletic

But people around the league will be watching them closely. They haven't often been a tax-paying team during Taylor's tenure as owner, and a disappointing end to this season could lead to the breakup of that core. Town's future will be a subject of speculation all season, but Gobert is eligible for an extension and has one more season left on his contract after this one. Reid has a player option for 2025-26 and could get a big raise, and Alexander-Walker is entering the final year of his contract and will also get a big raise.

It's hard to imagine the Wolves being able to handle all of this and keep the team largely together for more than the next two years, so the need to get as many wins as possible is urgent now.

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

7 things that need to happen for the Warriors to compete this year

A motivated, rejuvenated and controlled Draymond Green

“You only get as far as your best player will take you” may be the NBA's mantra, but “You only get as far as your second-best player will take you” is pretty accurate, too. And make no mistake: Green is still clearly the team's second-best player.

Much like Curry, the Warriors need something from Green between the all-world player he once was and what we saw last year. It starts with staying in control and not getting unnecessarily violent like he did last year. If he stays motivated and in top shape on the court, he can play all year as the team's quarterback, emotional leader and defensive ace. The Dubs need all three of those things.

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