NBA, Lillard comments on Green’s swipe at Poole: ‘When there’s tension, you have to expect something to happen’

Draymond Green’s punch at Jordan Poole in Warriors practice sparked a firestorm of reaction in the NBA. The two players had a heated argument in training and exchanged a few words, with Poole shoving Green and the latter hitting back.

TMZ even leaked the video from the moment Draymond Green spoke about his unacceptable behavior and temporarily removed himself from the team at a press conference in San Francisco.

Portland Blazers star Damian Lillard also commented on the specific incident, stressing that it was an unfortunate incident that could still happen to teams while stating he was against the leak videos on the internet.

In addition, he provided his own explanation for Green’s unacceptable action and whether he had experienced a similar incident.

Damian Lillard’s statements in detail:

“It’s unfortunate. When you spend as much time with your teammates as we do, you want to have a good time and there’s respect. I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t experienced moments of tension in my career .I’m sure every dressing room has that. Groups. You never want to see such incidents. I believe that what happens behind closed doors should stay there. The situation should be handled properly but kept private. I think it’s wrong that the video came out.

As for the punch, no matter how wrong it was, I think if you’re a boxing friend, it says there that you need to protect yourself at all times. I think Green, who I know well, probably walked off the field and said, “I shouldn’t have done that to my teammate.” And Poole would logically say, “If I’m going to push someone, I need to know how they’re going to react.” It is an unfortunate incident.”

Because if he has experienced something similar: “In college yes. There was some fighting in the NBA, but both sides were prepared.”

Whether it’s unusual to see a teammate throwing a punch: “I think the reaction in the NBA now is, ‘Nobody’s going to do anything.’ Everyone says that quickly. So when someone does something, it’s the end of the world. Like I said, it’s an unfortunate event. But when two grown men are talking, there’s tension and one is pushing the other, then you have to deal with it expect something to happen. That’s how I see it.”