Draymond Green, Who Was Ejected In Game 1 vs Grizzlies, Expresses Massive Frustration On Controversial Call

The Golden State Warriors got the win in the Western Conference semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr scored in the 30s for the Grizzlies whereas Jordan Poole got 31. Stephen Curry was once again on the mark and this time around made a crucial defensive block/steal as well with 20 or so seconds left on the clock. Klay Thompson’s three was the winning shot in the end. However, the player who is in the headlines the most is Draymond Green.

Draymond Green was ejected for a flagrant 2 foul on Brandon Clarke in the 2nd quarter of the game. The referees decided the foul was a flagrant 2 and enough for an ejection, considering both the contact on the face and the pulling of the shirt to bring him down.

Even without Draymond Green in the whole second half, the Warriors got the victory. Klay Thompson buried the clutch 3 pointer to make it 117-116. Then Stephen Curry made the crucial block and steal on Ja Morant to stop him from advancing. After that Klay also hustled back to track the run of Ja Morant who missed, what would have been a game winning layup.

WATCH THIS STORY: Throwback to Dray’s logo shot.

Draymond Green does not agree with the flagrant 2 given on him and he expressed and explained what happened on TNT. Shaq explained how that was an unfair call and Draymond Green indeed didn’t pull Clarke down. He said that Dray was reaching for the ball and he did hit Clarke in the face trying to do that but his hand got stuck in the jersey so he didn’t pull Clarke down.

Draymond Green speaks out about the flagrant foul on Inside The NBA

Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley welcomed Dray on the show following the decision that went against him. They asked Dray what he thought about Shaq’s impression. Green was glad to hear his opinion of the situation from O’Neal.

“You didn’t pull his jersey?”

The Inside crew gets @Money23Green‘s take on his flagrant 2 ejection from Game 1 vs. the Grizzlies. pic.twitter.com/YUeHKgKwIx

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 2, 2022

“I appreciate that. — No, I didn’t pull this shirt down. I tried to stop him from getting that one and which is why I tried… Listen, you know me, I’m not stopping anybody from falling if I’m trying to foul you. I tried to hold the guy up so he didn’t fall on his face.”

Chuck interrupted to ask, “You didn’t pull his jersey?” To which Dray answered, “Well Chuck, you know the law of gravity? If he tries to jump up this way and my hand is caught in his shirt this way, it’s automatically gonna like come down the opposite way. But I didn’t yank his jersey and in order to get it suspended it has to be excessive. I didn’t do this. He’s just jumping and my hand is up. It’s all good though.”

Also read: “Tonight was probably a reputation thing.” says Dray Green.

Draymond in his podcast also said that it was a reputation call more than anything else. He also said that he was worried because two more flagrant foul points would mean that he would get ejected for the whole game series. 

After this, Dray also answered Kenny’s questions regarding why he did not let go of the jersey, even after Clarke was down. He said that if he had let Clarke go, then he would have hit his face falling down. It would have been much worse and the blame would have still fallen on Draymond.

He also said that the whole play could have been two flagrant ones probably, but flagrant 2 was not fair. The game series is already a premise for an exciting battle. Game 2 between the two talent rosters is upon us. Draymond Green would certainly try to remain in the game this time around.

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