WATCH: Leaked Warriors footage shows Draymond Green sucker punching Poole
By Dylan Carter
![Golden State Warriors F Draymond Green & G Jordan Poole (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports) Golden State Warriors F Draymond Green & G Jordan Poole (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/747dfb88ff3701bc7adb8d44830657ee2ea775db81b2a8ab7a97b842badfb4fe.jpg)
Newly released footage shows the altercation between defending champions Draymond Green and Jordan Poole at a Golden State Warriors practice during preseason. Although news about the altercation has already been discussed — including potential disciplinary action against the former Defensive Player of the Year — this is the first time anyone has actually seen the footage.
TMZ obtained the video of the altercation between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole at practice https://t.co/55rMnBqAVG pic.twitter.com/k02BGsBo8G
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 7, 2022
This clip, which was obtained by TMZ via unspecified means, shows Warriors players standing around the practice court with Draymond Green and Jordan Poole nearby each other. Prior reporting tells us that the Warriors teammates had been chirping at one another while playing, which eventually led Green to approach Poole and get in his face.
Poole reacted by shoving Green away, to which the four-time champion lunged forward and connected with a punch near Poole’s chin. Although they are surrounded by Warriors staffers and teammates, it appears as if Poole collapsed to the ground upon contact. He did not suffer any major injuries, but this kind of off-court issue may be poisonous to the team moving ahead.
At what point do the Warriors say Draymond Green has gone too far?
While the initial reports detailed this incident to a tee, raw video footage tells a more comprehensive story in which Draymond is the ‘bad guy.’ It’s a public perception he already earned in many corners for his loudmouthed personality, temper and numerous physical altercations during his time in the NBA. Things happen in the heat of the moment and this wouldn’t be the first time that two players got into it during practice, but this scenario is a bit different.
Golden State has two concurrent timelines from which it’s building. The first is its championship core helmed by Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney (He was drafted after their first title together). At the same time, Poole is the first piece in a young core including himself, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Organic growth by way of investing in player development is what made the Warriors a title contender in the first place. Green himself might be the greatest developmental success story of the bunch. Is that something the team is willing to sacrifice in order to prioritize a 32-year-old player whose greatest skill is his basketball IQ? Obviously, he holds a special place in the hearts of Warriors fans, but Green’s history of outbursts has cost the team mightily in the past. At this phase of his career, the Warriors may side with Poole if the fracture in their relationship grows to be detrimental to team success.
It’s hard to trust someone when you’re looking over your shoulder to make sure they won’t crack you with a ‘Falcon Punch.’ Poole, who is eligible for an extension and was reportedly gloating about his newfound fortune when the fight broke out, will become a restricted free agent in the offseason if his representatives cannot come to terms with Golden State. Green has also publically stated that he won’t reach the extension that he believes he deserves from the Warriors before this season begins.
dark. Next. Should Golden State consider trading Draymond?
There’s a real possibility that Poole is in Golden State next year and Draymond Green is not.