LOS ANGELES — Steve Kerr addressed Draymond Green’s indefinite suspension with a message of compassion.
Green will miss an undetermined number of games as he works through some personal issues that are connected to his most recent on-court outbursts, including hitting Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the head on Tuesday and choking Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert last month.
“To me this is about more than basketball,” Kerr said. “It’s about helping Draymond. I think it’s an opportunity for Draymond to step away and to make a change in his approach and his life.
“This is about someone who I believe in, someone who I have known for a decade, who I love for his loyalty, his commitment, his passion, his love for his teammates and family. Trying to help that guy because the one who choked Rudy, the one who flailed at Jusuf, who punched Jordan (Poole) last year. That’s the guy who has to change. Everything before that, what are we really talking about? Throwing a ball, yelling at a ref. It’s clear he needs the opportunity to change and that’s what an indefinite suspension gives him the opportunity for.”
Kerr reiterated general manager Mike Dunleavy’s statement that Green will be allowed to practice with the team during his suspension. There are no details about the nature of counseling Green will get. Kerr added that Green “needs a little space” from the organization to sort through his life.
“I’m confident he can come out on a better side,” Kerr said. “I know him, you know him, he’s an incredible human being. He’s a very complex human being.”
Green hinted at internal tumult after video leaked of him punching Poole during training camp last year, saying “hurt people hurt people.” Green wasn’t issued a suspension then, but took time away from the team and returned for ring night to open the season.
The NBA suspended him for a game in the playoffs last season for stomping on Domantas Sabonis, saying he received harsher punishment as a repeat offender. That same rule applied when Green choked Gobert in November, earning him a five-game suspension.
Gary Payton II will be re-evaluated for his calf strain in one week, the Warriors said. Payton injured his calf on Nov. 28 and missed five games since then, but will resume individual on-court activities this week.