Damian Lillard reacts on Draymond Green-Jordan Poole altercation: ‘It’s unfortunate’
Like the rest of the NBA world, Damian Lillard alloted a time to view the viral clip of Draymond Green-Jordan Poole altercation.
For the Portland Trail Blazers cornerstone, the event is undeniably a tragic one, given the fact that the conflict occured between teammates who shares a similar brand of basketball.
“It’s unfortunate,” Lillard said (h/t The Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin). “When you spend as much time with your teammates as we do, you want it to be positive and you want it to be respectful. But I’d be lying if I said there hasn’t been a lot of heated moments that I’ve seen in my career.
“I’m sure it happens in every locker room. You never wish to see that. I think what happens behind closed doors should stay that way … So I thought the fact that video came out is wrong.”
It can be seen on the video released publicly by TMZ that Green escalated the incident and hurled a shocking punch against Poole.
For Lillard, there could be a reflection for both sides that suddenly occured after what happened.
“On the altercation itself, as wrong as it was, I think if you’re a boxing fan, in boxing, they say you’ve got to protect yourself at all times,” Lillard said. “I think Draymond, who I know pretty well, probably walked away from that situation saying, ‘I probably shouldn’t have done that to my teammate.’ And Jordan Poole’s probably walking away thinking, ‘When I push somebody, I should know that something may come back.’
“That’s it. It’s an unfortunate situation.”
Beyond the unwanted action, the future hall of famer made it clear that the altercation is unfortunate.
“I think it’s become a thing in the NBA where it’s like, ‘Ain’t nobody gonna do nothing,’ ” Lillard said. “Everybody’s always quick to say that. So then when somebody does something, it’s the end of the world. Like I said, it’s unfortunate.
“But if two grown men are having words, and one pushes the other, you’ve got to assume that something might happen. That’s just how I saw it.”
As the clip became viral, Green had his own press conference and expressed his apology to Poole and his family. The veteran big man also gave his intent to be away from the franchise to calm the uproar going in.
It remains yet to be seen on when Green will make a comeback. But given his gestures lately, he is surely regretful on the inapproriatness he made.
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