In another display of Draymond Green’s antics, the Golden State Warriors’ veteran forward made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Green, known for his aggressive personality on the court, was dismissed from Wednesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic due to a heated discussion with NBA official Ray Acosta in the first quarter.
The fight began when Acosta called a foul on Green, who was entrusted with protecting Magic star Paolo Banchero. Green refused to accept the ruling and launched a volley of verbal insults on Acosta, leading in a double technical and his removal from the game. Despite his teammates’ efforts to intervene and calm the situation, Green continued his diatribe, leaving Stephen Curry and Chris Paul visibly agitated by his actions.
As Green made his way back to the bench, his activities continued. According to reports, he made disparaging statements about Acosta, which sealed his destiny and prompted the official to fire him. The incident represented the latest chapter in Green’s turbulent season, which has seen him court controversy on numerous occasions.
Green had already received criticism the day before for an on-court incident in which he seemed to hook an opponent’s neck during a game. Such behavior, along with a perceived lack of accountability from the league, has only encouraged Green to continue his disruptive activities, much to the dismay of both his club and the NBA hierarchy.
Steph and the squad are fed up with Green’s shenanigans.
With the Warriors already dealing with the absence of key players such as Jonathan Kuminga due to injury, Green’s frequent outbursts exacerbate the team’s problems, especially as they compete for postseason seeding in the competitive Western Conference. Despite suffering bans earlier in the season, Green’s proclivity for controversy shows no signs of abating, leading many to wonder when, if ever, the league will take definitive action against him.
For the Warriors, the burden of success once again lies squarely on Stephen Curry’s shoulders, who must guide the club through choppy waters compounded by Green’s instability. Despite the pandemonium, there is a sense that Green’s short departure may actually benefit the team–a concept that highlights the increasingly polarizing nature of his presence among the Warriors’ ranks.