Green, Kerr stress Adams kick wasn't intentional
The Golden State Warriors were politicking hard Monday morning with a NBA decision expected later in the day on Draymond Green's Game 3 kick to the groin of Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams.
"I didn't intentionally kick (Adams) down there," Green told ESPN's The Undefeated. "Whether he believes me or not, which I don't think he will and wouldn't in the moment, which is why I didn't say anything. I would definitely apologize and I look forward to apologizing to him, if I see him."
Related: Green denies intending low blow: 'I'm sure he wants to have kids'
The league is expected to render a judgement on the play by Monday evening. A suspension for Green would be a severe blow to the Warriors, now trailing 2-1 in the series. On Sunday, little-used Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dahntay Jones was suspended one game for a low blow on Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Furthermore, Green also struck Adams in that area while going up for a shot in Game 2. Now, the question is intent.
"I'm kind of upset about this, 'Will he get suspended or will he not?'" Green continued. "It's just frustrating. Obviously, I hit him there in Game 2. But can anyone possibly say that was intentional. People might look at that and say, 'He did it then - he tried to do (it again).' Would I be that obvious?"
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that Monday's decision should not be affected in any way by the Game 2 incident. Not surprisingly, he doesn't believe Green should be punished for the Game 3 situation either.
"Guys do it to try to sell contact," Kerr told reporters Monday. "The issue is he got him in the wrong place. It was unfortunate, but I don't see any intent behind it. I don't think he'll be suspended."
Green stressed he knows enough not to risk suspension.
"I know how important I am to my team," he said. "Being that I know that, I’m not going to be that obvious and try to kick a man down there. That’s not something I would even do. Hitting someone down there ... you can ruin a lot more. Why do that?"