Steve Kerr Says Indefinite Suspension Is an Opportunity for Draymond Green to ‘Make a Change’

The Warriors coach referenced two recent situations in which Green was suspended or fined by the league.

Warriors forward Draymond Green was suspended indefinitely by the NBA on Wednesday following him smacking Jusuf Nurkić in the head the night before.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr spoke about the suspension for the first time on Thursday ahead of the team’s game vs. the Clippers. He shared why he believes the indefinite suspension was in Green’s best interest, as he needs some time to work on himself.

“I think the suspension makes sense,” Kerr said. “To me, this is about more than basketball. It’s about helping Draymond. I think it’s an opportunity for Draymond to step away and to make a change in his approach, in his life. That’s not an easy thing to do. That’s not something you say ‘Okay, we’re going to do five games, and then he’s going to be fine.’

“It’s not just about an outburst on the court—this is about his life,” Kerr continued. “This is about someone who I believe in, someone who I’ve known for a decade, who I love for his loyalty, his commitment, his passion, his love for his teammates, his friends, his family. Trying to help that guy. Because the one who choked Rudy [Gobert], the one who took a wild flail at Jusuf, the one who punched Jordan [Poole] last year, that’s the guy who has to change. And, he knows that.”

Kerr referenced Green’s five-game suspension from earlier this season after he put Timberwolves’ Gobert in a chokehold. Also, Green was fined last October following the league finding out that he punched his teammate at the time, Poole, during a practice.