"He crossed the line with Jordan Poole": Steve Kerr reveals the angriest he’s ever been at Draymond Green
Draymond Green is one of the NBA's fiercest competitors and was the defensive anchor of the Warriors' dynasty era. However, due to his fiery nature, the 2017 DPOY has given coach Steve Kerr countless headaches. During his appearance on the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Kerr stated that Green's incident with Jordan Poole angered him the most.
On Oct. 5, 2022, footage of Green punching Poole during training camp went viral. The Warriors' locker room dynamic was shifting, and tempers flared regarding leadership roles.
Despite Green apologizing to Poole, the team was never the same following its latest championship run. Kerr acknowledged the schism created by Draymond.
"For sure, the Jordan Poole incident. He crossed the line with Jordan, and he knows it. He knew it immediately, and it made that season incredibly difficult for everybody. That story has been regurgitated many times, but that's probably when I was angriest. There's your headline. You guys can tweet that out."
Golden State's title defense faltered after a Game 6 loss to the LA Lakers that spring. Following the upset playoff exit, Poole was traded to the Washington Wizards.
Kerr didn't mention other frustrating moments involving Green, but he highlighted that the 'Dancing Bear' can certainly be strong-willed.
Steve Kerr's previous comments on the Jordan Poole and Draymond Green incident
Warriors coach Steve Kerr discussed the long-term fallout from the Jordan Poole and Draymond Green incident during an interview with The Athletic's Anthony Slater.
"I look back at that, and I hate that it happened. I know that in my heart, that when [the punch] happened, we handled it the best way we thought we could handle it. But in hindsight, we could have done better for sure. For us and him, this was a great marriage. He helped us win a title."
Poole was drafted 28th overall by Golden State in 2019 and played a crucial role during the franchise's 2022 championship run. He spent four seasons with the team and improved his stock each year.
The 25-year-old thrived in Kerr's system and might have become the franchise's next cornerstone. With the Warriors no longer chasing a title and its core nearing retirement, it is unfortunate that Jordan Poole and Draymond Green couldn't coexist.