Almost two seasons have passed since the infamous Draymond Green-Jordan Poole incident, and Green has recently made a surprising admission about the situation.
Known for his candid nature and having his own podcast, Green has recounted the incident when he punched Jordan Poole during the 2022-23 preseason multiple times. However, in a rare moment of vulnerability, he expressed his deep regret for his actions towards Poole and how it impacted his behavior within the team.
During an episode of The Draymond Green Show, Green confessed, “I was so embarrassed to be around our team last year with [Jordan Poole] still on the [Warriors]. I was probably late 20 times last season and just paid fines because I was too ashamed to face everyone.”
He further elaborated on how he felt unable to celebrate Poole’s success when the young player signed a lucrative four-year, $123 million extension with the Warriors in October 2022. Green, who initially served as Poole’s mentor, felt a mix of pride and regret as their relationship took a negative turn following the incident.
Reflecting on their fractured bond, Green admitted, “When I took J.P. under my wing and saw him succeed, it brought me joy. Yet, one of the lowest points in my NBA career was not being able to celebrate his contract with him. I missed out on that moment due to my own actions.”
Subsequently, the altercation marked a downturn for Poole, who struggled during the season before being traded to the Wizards. His performance with Washington saw a decline, with averages of 17.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in the 2023-24 regular season.
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