"I’m not going to sit up here and be a hypocrite" - Shaquille O'Neal sides with Draymond Green on Domantas Sabonis debacle
Shaquille O'Neal has sided with Draymond Green following his ejection during Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Green was called for a flagrant foul after stomping on Domantas Sabonis' midsection with around seven minutes left in the game, which Sacramento won 114-106 to take a 2-0 series lead.
On "Inside the NBA," the crew of Shaq, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson discussed Green's ejection. The LA Lakers legend defended Green, who he believes had no other choice, as Sabonis had grabbed his foot.
"I'm not going to sit up here and be a hypocrite," O'Neal said. "I'd do the same thing, I really would. ... Don't be grabbing me, because what am I gonna do? If I stay there and just try to run forward, I'll fall.
"You got to get him above you. And if you're above and if you're in the way, you might get stomped on. Was it a dirty play? Of course, it was a dirty play."
However, the rest of the "Inside the NBA" crew didn't concur with Shaquille O'Neal. Ernie Johnson reckoned Green could have done something else and not stomp on Sabonis.
Kenny Smith called Green's actions "excessive," while Charles Barkley said that the former Defensive Player of the Year should have just walked away. O'Neal then challenged Barkley to grab his leg and see if he's not going to stomp on his chest.
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Draymond Green explains his actions, asks for X-ray on right foot
Draymond Green explained his actions following the Golden State Warriors' 114-106 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday. Green defended himself and called out officials for not monitoring leg grabbing. He noted that Malik Monk grabbed his leg in Game 1 but was not called for a foul.
"My leg got grabbed," Green said. "Second time in two nights. Referees, just watch it. I have to land my foot somewhere. I'm not the most flexible person, so that's not stretching. I can only step so far, and I was pulling my leg away. Is what it is."
Draymond Green also reportedly asked for an X-ray after the game due to soreness in his right ankle. It was the same ankle Sabonis had grabbed during the play that resulted in Green's ejection. It's unclear if the Warriors star will be available to play in Game 3 on Thursday at the Chase Center.
Meanwhile, Golden State lost back-to-back playoff games for the first time since 2019. They're now down 2-0, so it will be interesting to see how the defending champs respond. While they have been terrible on the road, the Warriors are 33-8 at home this season.
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