“If You Don’t Grab His Leg, That Never Happens!”: Shaquille O’Neal Defends Draymond Green Over Game 3 Suspension

The troubles don’t seem to stop coming for the Golden State Warriors. During Game 2 against the Kings, Draymond Green got ejected when it was a close, single-digit game. That turned the tide and helped the Kings secure a 2-0 lead over the defending champions.

Draymond has been given a Flagrant 2 and was ejected after this play pic.twitter.com/aKDqJ174Q0

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 18, 2023

Many did not agree with the ejection. Damian Lillard made his opinion heard with a tweet. Shaquille O’Neal also spoke about the same on the post-game show. He disagreed with the fact that Draymond deserved an ejection.

During the Suns-Clippers game, NBA announced that Draymond will be suspended for Game 3.

The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/KEnWx2qTvs

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 19, 2023

This clearly did not sit well with a lot of people, including Shaquille O’Neal.

Shaquille O’Neal defends Draymond Green after his suspension

What happened yesterday was something we don’t see every day. Domantas Sabonis grabbed Draymond’s ankle, which in turn resulted in Green stomping on his chest. It wasn’t a clean play, but was a result of an initial dirty play as well.

When Inside the NBA guys heard about the suspension, they had to talk about the same. Shaquille O’Neal continued with his support for Draymond from yesterday. Shaq said,

“I thought throwing him out of the game was adequate enough. By the letter of the law, by the way it looks, it’s a dirty play. Not going to sit up here and be a hypocrite, I would’ve done the same thing. Let’s talk about this for a second though. If you never grab his leg, this play never happens… Again, the way it looks, it looked like a dirty play, but if you don’t grab the leg, none of this ever happens.”

Shaq & Kenny debated the Draymond Green game 3 suspension

Agree or Disagreepic.twitter.com/Z9l9aUAafD

— Daily NBA Fantasy (@DailyNBAFantasy) April 19, 2023

Shaq’s right. If Domas never tries to bring Green down, the whole situation could’ve been avoided. Things had been chippy between the two of them, but we have to agree that Sabonis was the instigator here.

What do the Warriors do without Draymond?

The only consolation prize for the Warriors in the whole affair is that Game 3 is back at home. With Draymond Green out now, Steve Kerr has to make a choice for the 5th starter. There are some options, but no one can match the intensity and energy Draymond brings.

Steve Kerr could go a ton of directions to replace Draymond Green in starting lineup
*Jordan Poole (juice the offense)
*Gary Payton II (juice the defense)
*Jonathan Kuminga (activate him with bigger role)
*Donte DiVincenzo (regular spot starter)
*Moses Moody (big role last night)

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 19, 2023

The Warriors will have to play some of their best basketball on Thursday if they want to survive this game without Dray and avoid going down an 0-3 hole. They’d have to limit their turnovers, be more assertive on the boards, and take high quality shots. It’s a big ask, but there is a reason they’re champions.