SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he apologized to forward Draymond Green on Wednesday, in the wake of the pair exchanging heated words during Monday’s win over the Orlando Magic and Green leaving the bench for the majority of the third quarter. Kerr said he feels the air is cleared for his team after the latest high-profile incident with Green.
“We talked today, we had a great chat,” Kerr said after Wednesday’s practice. “Frankly, Monday night was not my finest hour. And that was a time I needed to be calm in the huddle. So I regret my actions in that exchange and I apologized to Dray (Green). He apologized to me. We both apologized to the team. These things, they happen, especially when you get two incredibly competitive people like Dray and me. So over the 12 years we’ve been together, this has happened occasionally, and I’m not proud of it.”
Green after Monday’s game that the argument amounted to “basketball.”
“That’s what we do. We play basketball. It’s an emotional game. People lose their emotions sometimes. It happens. It is what it is. We’ve been at this now for a long time. So sometimes, you’re with people for a long time, there’s a level of comfort, and s— happens. We move forward.”
Kerr was even more reflective in his commentary than usual after the Christmas Eve practice, acknowledging that the Warriors as a group are not what they once were, but that they remain optimistic they can make one more run toward another championship.
“We are no longer the ’17 Warriors dominating the league,” Kerr said. “We are a fading dynasty. We know that. Everybody knows that. So what is up to us? How do we carry ourselves night to night? How connected are we? And can we give ourselves another swing at the plate? … We know where we are. We’ve got to know who we are. We got to know what’s possible and we have to take pride in the struggle because this is part of life.”
Kerr repeatedly praised Green and the relationship the pair has built over Kerr’s 12 seasons as coach of the Warriors. Kerr also reiterated what he’s said many times — that this iteration of the Warriors wouldn’t have four championship rings without the passion Green provides.
“I care so much about Draymond and the relationship we have is like family,” Kerr said. “And like family, you go through ups and downs. My number one goal, honestly, is for him to finish his career as a Warrior with us fighting, metaphorically, not literally, fighting and competing together until we’re both gone. And I believe that’s going to happen because I believe in Draymond and I believe in myself and I believe in everything we’ve built for 12 years.”
Kerr is confident that Green will do whatever he can to help the team and the group will be able to put the latest incident behind them as they get ready to face former teammate Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day.
“We had a great chat,” Kerr said. “I’m not gonna share the details, but I can tell you this: I’m expecting the very best version of Draymond tomorrow. I know exactly who he is, he’s a winner, he’s a champion. He’s the most passionate, competitive person I’ve ever met. And that can get the best of him, and it can get the best of me. And that’s what happened the other night.”
This story will be updated.
