Whoever it was, they need a lecture on keeping some things in the locker-room. Making this public has no positive effect for anybody - and I'm sure the person involved knew that.
The most interesting part of this is the release of the video and its effects. 1. Golden State handling it internally and can’t go back from that … but wants some heat on Green to show him they’re pissed? 2. Poole can’t be happy with the release … and is set to make serious $$$ … but in Golden State? He is a RFA next summer and Wiggins FA. The next summer Klay, Green, and Wiseman get paid. Huge payroll. 3. The narrative pushed is how awesome the chemistry is for Golden State. Not so idyllic (and anyone who bought into it didn’t pay attention to Durant leaving). What happens? Probably nothing.
If the punishment for sharing the action is worse than the action itself, Golden State will look worse than Draymond in my eyes.
I don't believe that. Fights that escalate to a punch like that don't happen "all the time". Pushing and shoving and heated words, ok. Not punches. I'd be rather confident the last hard punch thrown in a Blazer practice was by Zach Randolph and that was 17 or 18 years ago.
I have to disagree. First, the leaker escalated the situation. If 2 guys are fighting, the 3rd guy who jumps in and makes a bad situation worse is always going to get in trouble. Second, whoever did this put their personal agenda above the team. This tattling to the media was part of what fed the whole "jailblazer" BS and it will poison a locker-room.
I don’t see how it doesn’t happen all the time. Put a bunch of alpha males in something competitive and there’s bound to be fights. I’m guessing we hear about 5-10% of the fights that happen. In the old days media was allowed into practices and they were reported all the time. I think it’s nieve to think it doesn’t still happen. In this case someone wanted Dray to be exposed, 100% inside job by someone higher up in organization maybe even at the coaching level. I’ve been in a few fights and almost always ended up friends.
sorry, I don't accept that. I'm not saying it never happens. I'm saying it's rare to escalate to a hay-maker punch like that. It's even rare for football teams, let alone basketball. I played basketball; high school and years of city league. Lots of practices, lots of games. I've seen lots of trash-talking and occasional pushing and shoving; but only one fist-fight and they weren't teammates
I bet it happens at least once a year on 80% of the teams. I grew up with marine for a dad with 3 younger brothers we got into lots of fights and unfortunately sometimes with friends. Looking back now I’m ashamed of it but that’s only way I knew how to handle things. I’m guessing many of these guys grew up in similar circumstances. I think had Dray not connected as flush as he did it wouldn’t be a big deal to everyone (still not right just saying it wouldn’t seem as bad)
This is an odd stance to me. How did the leaker excalate the situation? If anything, they brought clarity to situation in a world where people prefer to read 2nd hand stories that match what they want to believe; this guy is allowing people to drawing their own conclusions The person who leaked the video didn't jump in the "fight", unless it was Draymond. He was the only one jumping and "fight(ing)" This wasn't an agreed upon "fight". This was Draymond making the first physical contact and by far the most aggressive pysical contact. This was a sucker punch more than a "fight" Didn't Draymond put his personal agenda over the team? Being on a professional sports team should not mean your illegal actions are obligated to be covered up for you. And where do you draw the line on what should be kept secret within professional sports? Racism? Sexual Assault? Fraud? Murder? Why are we protecting these people?
In the State of Oregon a blow to the head even with a fist can be grounds for 2nd degree assault. Automatic 7 years
Don't get me started on Measure 11 stuff! Here is the ORS for Assault 2. Some vague language for a serious penalty. https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.175
I think for what Green did, the crime wouldn't be assault but be battery. I may be wrong but I think battery can be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on degree. IIRC, the felony charge is aggravated battery
I think another important thing to ask about this incident is why did Draymond punch Poole? With MJ and Kerr and other practice fights (maybe not Patterson and Randolph), it's usually over rough play or someone gets upset about something going on during play. As the video shows, this was not the case. Poole wasn't even in the playing area, he was along the baseline. Even if Poole was talking trash, for Draymond to walk over and instigate the incident leads me to believe there is some frustration from Draymond about his contract and Poole's contract. He knows Poole is going to get paid - probably as much if not more than Herro. Draymond knows since he is older, he will not get paid as much, even though he is more responsible for the 4 rings than Poole is for 1. I think if this is the case, this is harder to move on from and can have lingering effects all season long. Golden State's best option might just be to move Draymond as soon as possible or risk this hanging over the team all season long.
