“All you people messing with Draymond? Mind your damn business!” - Shaquille O'Neal blasts fans who criticized Draymond Green for punching Jordan Poole, adds they don’t know what competitive sport is about
Shaquille O'Neal, who was involved in a few ugly fights in his career, is taking Draymond Green’s side after the latter punched Jordan Poole. The Golden State Warriors forward has received a ton of flak for coldcocking Poole.
The Hall of Famer big man didn’t mince words when he called out fans who criticized Green. O'Neal said:
“All you people messing with Draymond? Mind your damn business! I know the game is a nice game and we should get along but you guys that don’t know about competitive sport, you had no idea what you’re talking about. Just shut the hell up and be a fan.”
Shaquille O'Neal added that Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had the same experience as Jordan Poole while playing for the Chicago Bulls. Shaq emphasized that Kerr and Michael Jordan’s relationship improved and helped the Bulls’ title quest after the incident.
The legendary former LA Lakers center gave his analysis on why Poole was on the receiving end of that straight right from Draymond Green:
“I think when you win championships, the others come back, they come back different. ... Jordan Poole definitely played a big part in them winning. I think a lot of times those people tried to check the pecking order status. The pecking order status for that team belongs to three people: Draymond, Klay and Steph.”
Shaquille O'Neal was right. For the better part of more than a decade, Green, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry have been the undisputed kings of the Bay Area franchise. However, with Thompson still trying to regain his old form after two serious injuries and Green showing a decline, that may not be the case soon.
In the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, the former Defensive Player of the Year looked out of sorts. Shaquille O'Neal even commented that the Warriors’ defensive lynchpin had to play better or regret his performance. If not for Games 5 and 6, he would have been a huge reason why the Warriors lost another championship.
Pretty hilarious Draymond Green got so pissed at Jordan Poole even punching him for being called ‘triple-single’.
No lies were told though. Dude averaged 7ppg last season and wants a $165 million deal. No chance any team gives him that.
https://t.co/Wj1DnQvfXa
Earlier in the series, the forward was better known for his on-court shenanigans and off-court comments instead of his play. The “triple-single” memes went viral again because of Green’s embarrassing performances. Jordan Poole reportedly brought up the “triple-single” reference which pissed off Green so much that he threw the ball at the Warriors’ shooting guard.
Steve Kerr and Kevin Durant don’t share Shaquille O'Neal’s assessment of the Draymond Green and Jordan Poole altercation
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, however, is not on the same page as Shaquille O'Neal. The guy who was punched by Michael Jordan years ago mentioned that the current altercation is the “biggest crisis” in his stint with the team. Kerr was already at the helm when Draymond Green verbally abused Kevin Durant and got suspended for it.
“This is the biggest crisis that we’ve had since I’ve been coach here. It’s really serious stuff."
Kevin Durant, who was on the receiving end of Green’s animosity in 2018, didn’t agree with Shaquille O’Neal’s remarks:
“It’s rare. I’ve been in the league 16 years and I’ve never seen that until the other day on camera. You hear about it with [Michael Jordan] and you hear about it with Bobby Portis, but there’s nothing that’s happening every year. It’s very rare that something like that happens.
"It's rare. I've been in the league 16 years and I've never seen that until the other day on camera... We've all got our opinions, but to be honest, mine's don't matter. It is what it is."
Kevin Durant on the Draymond Green-Jordan Poole altercation
(via @NickFriedell) https://t.co/AeCD1UoHEO
Several other former players have also called out Draymond Green for his actions. “Dray” himself admitted his mistake, which alienates O'Neal’s comments.