Magic Johnson asserts Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole was a foul act: "You can take it as far as pushing and grabbing the jersey, but never punching"
Draymond Green was involved in an altercation with Golden State Warriors teammate Jordan Poole during training camp.
LA Lakers legend and NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson recently shared his thoughts on the incident.
TMZ obtained the video of the altercation between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole at practice
tmz.com/videos/2022-10… https://t.co/k02BGsBo8G
During a recent appearance on "Club Shay Shay," Johnson said:
"He was definitely wrong. You can take it as far as pushing and grabbing the jersey, all that. ... Draymond knows better because he's a great leader. He's a great young man, smart. Jordan Poole, Draymond, is just like you. Got drafted late, had to prove himself."
"Draymond was mad he didn't go in the first round. He used that to say 'hey, I'm gonna motivate myself and I'm gonna show everybody'. Jordan Poole's the same way. He's talking about, 'well, I don't regret it'. Yes, he does. He does. Draymond regrets it... If he could, he would take that back because that's not who he is, not with his teammates."
"It's never gonna be the same, and both of them know that, no matter what they say, because also the families get involved... Their camps are divided now, too, that's what people don't realize."
"Only because Steph and Klay are sitting there and Steve is an amazing coach, I think that they'll be okay. ... I don't think it'll stop them from reaching a championship."
Johnson's comments deserve recognition. He is one of the greatest players in NBA history. He knows how to lead teams to championships.
Many questioned whether this would be a distraction for the Warriors. They have been inconsistent to start the season. The Warriors currently have the league's worst defense, allowing an average of 124 points per game.
Watch Magic Johnson's comments on the altercation between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole below:
.@MagicJohnson says Draymond Green was wrong for punching Jordan Poole:
“You can take it as far as pushing and grabbing the jersey, but never punching…Draymond knows better because he’s a great leader.” https://t.co/T8Ce8iavCn
Draymond Green publicly apologized for punching Jordan Poole
Draymond Green took some time away from the team following his altercation with Poole. The former Defensive Player of the Year apologized for his actions during a recent news conference.
Speaking to the media, Green said:
"I was wrong for my actions that took place on Wednesday and, for that, I have apologized to my team. I have apologized to Jordan and I wanted to take that a step further. With the event yesterday, with the video leaking, there is a huge embarrassment that comes with that."
"Not only for myself - as I was the one that committed the action. The embarrassment that comes for me is what it is and that's something that I have to deal with. But the embarrassment that Jordan has to deal with. That this team has to deal with. This organization has to deal with. But also Jordan's family."
"His family saw that video. His mother, his father saw that video. Quite frankly, if my mother saw that video, I know what her reaction would be. So for that I apologize to his mother and his father, his family, his friends that care for him."
While Draymond Green's apology did not immediately resolve the issue, it was a step in the right direction. Green and Poole have not let the incident distract them from their quest to win another championship. They remain committed to winning.
Watch Draymond Green's full apology below: