Shaq defends Draymond after brawl: 'I would've did the same thing'

Shaquille O'Neal came to Draymond Green's defense after the Golden State Warriors forward was hit with a five-game suspension for his role in a brawl that broke out during Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

O'Neal told Chuck Schilken of the Los Angeles Times that he would've done the same thing as Green, who put Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock.

"I'm from the old school, so you always stick up for your guys," O'Neal said. "Like, me and you are doing the interview right now - somebody come put their hands on you, I’m gonna beat them up 'cause you’re my guy. But you get these people who say it was wrong - like, I try not to be a hypocrite. I would've did the same thing.

"I'm not gonna sit here and say he was wrong, he shouldn't have did it - he probably shouldn't have did it, but WWSD, what would Shaq do? Shaq would've did the same thing."

Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Timberwolves wing Jaden McDaniels were also involved in the scuffle, which broke out less than two minutes into the game.

Thompson, McDaniels, and Gobert were each fined $25,000 for their actions.