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“Pray for Grant Williams”: Draymond Green Menacingly Sounds Off on Hornets Star After Last Minute Ejection

Sourav Bose
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“Pray for Grant Williams”: Draymond Green Menacingly Sounds Off on Hornets Star After Last Minute Ejection

The Golden State Warriors extended their winning run to three following a recent 97-84 home win against the Charlotte Hornets. Despite a comfortable victory, the home crowd witnessed a last-minute fight between Lester Quinones and Grant Williams, resulting in ejections. Following the unpredictable events, Draymond Green revealed his thoughts before menacingly sounding off on the Hortners star.

The instance sparked from Quinones’ reverse layup attempt in the garbage time with slightly more than 12 seconds left to play. The visitors’ Miles Bridges blocked the shot before the situation escalated rapidly. Williams squared off the Warriors star before both the rosters intervened to put an end to the situation. Despite the eventual success, it led to ejections for both the instigators, Quinones and Williams.

After the conclusion of the clash, Green broke down his viewpoint on the entire scuffle resulting in the controversy. Initially, the 4x champion questioned the ridiculousness of the unwritten rule of refusing to score in the final seconds during a dominant win. Then, the 33-year-old opened up about his thoughts on the fight as he raised concerns over the Hornets star’s actions.

“Grant Williams gotta stop it, man. This tough guy (act) is going absolutely wrong for him. He’s a really nice guy…He needs to figure it out because, oh boy, talking too much is kind of what got you out of Dallas [Mavericks]. Overdoing it…Pray for Grant Williams,” the Michigan-born mentioned.

Despite possessing a tone of mockery, Green seemingly aimed to provide the 25-year-old with a set of guidelines to succeed in the NBA. The latter’s current course requires a major shift as it could lead to negative consequences time and again. There is a little comedic irony present here, as Draymond Green, of all people in the NBA, is criticizing a different player’s behavior, despite his own track record.

As for Williams’s problematic behavior, the Hornets star did in fact go too far. But given how he is likely looking to change the Hornets’ culture to one more akin to a competent franchise, his retaliation may have been a key stepping stone. And if it does end up motivating his teammates the way he’d wish for, it’s hard not to see the franchise respecting him more, rather than booting him out the door.

The history between the Golden State Warriors and Grant Williams goes long back

Credits: USA TODAY SPORTS

The 2022 NBA Finals marked the toughest period of the 6ft 6″ forward’s career as his Boston Celtics lost the series to the Dubs. Despite taking a 2-1 lead, his team succumbed to the pressure as the Warriors displayed their pedigree with a comeback. It resulted in the initiation of difficult dynamics between the entities, keeping the doors open for future exchanges.

The Warriors’ talisman Stephen Curry took matters to the extreme while hosting the ESPY later that year. The 2x MVP mocked the defensive enforcer openly, stating, “Grant Williams, I see you in the building! It’s great to see you again, my man! I know you like this color, I’ll let you borrow it after I’m done. I might even let you wear a ring”.

Hence, all built-up emotions might have become the driving force in the recent game. On top of it, the frustrating defeat certainly played its part in sparking the fight. All in all, the entire scenario emphasized self-control as the reputation of the NBA star depends on his actions entirely.

About the author

Sourav Bose

Sourav Bose

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Sourav, a seasoned NBA journalist at the SportsRush, discovered his profound love for basketball through the brilliance of Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors. With over 600 articles in his career, he has established himself as a dedicated and prolific writer in the field. Influenced by 'The Last Dance' documentary and the anime 'Slam Dunk,' Sourav's passion for basketball is marked by insightful observations and a comprehensive understanding of the sport's history. Beyond his role as a journalist, he delves into the strategic dimensions of sports management and explores literature in his spare time, reflecting a well-rounded approach to his craft. Sourav's journey is characterized by a commitment to unraveling the intricacies of basketball and sports in general, making him a reliable source for NBA enthusiasts and a seasoned observer of the sports landscape.

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