According to CJ Holmes in the Chron...

- Jordan Poole and Draymond Green get into a dust-up in practice. " ... Green struck Poole forcefully... " Like, a punch?!?

- Kerr not sure if Klay Thompson will be ready for the opener. Turns out he did not scrimmage much over the summer, due to a "mental block from how he injured his Achilles in the 2020 offseason". ???

On the Growls forum, some posters are requesting that Cal beat writers put the screws to Wilcox, in order to get some answers. It will be interesting to see if the Dubs get the same treatment, instead of the constant puff pieces we see about them (largely deserved, considering their performance the past several years, but still... ).

Very weird indeed. I think Kerr should use this as an opportunity to move to a much more stable, drama-free program: Cal

Someday Draymond will mess with the wrong bull and he will walk away a better man….if he walks away. Everyone meets their match sooner or later.

bearister said:

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Someday Draymond will mess with the wrong bull and he will walk away a better man….if he walks away. Everyone meets their match sooner or later.

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No. That's never going to happen.
You'd be right if it did, but it won't.

eastcoastcal said:

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Very weird indeed. I think Kerr should use this as an opportunity to move to a much more stable, drama-free program: Cal

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Hahaha

The Draymond story is getting more attention because who doesn't enjoy an altercation, but I actually find the Klay thing even weirder: One of your stars doesn't play much ball in the offseason -- to the point where he participates in camp but still might not be ready for the opening of the season -- because he had a "mental block". What the heck?!?

Big C said:

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The Draymond story is getting more attention because who doesn't enjoy an altercation, but I actually find the Klay thing even weirder: One of your stars doesn't play much ball in the offseason -- to the point where he participates in camp but still might not be ready for the opening of the season -- because he had a "mental block". What the heck?!?

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I missed that quote from Kerr.
Where did that come from?

Maybe Klay satisfied himself with last season and is ready to chill in life.

Never mind... here it is;

Klay Thompson didn’t play pickup this summer. Called it a “mental block” he will eventually get over because of torn Achilles in summer ball. But that’s slowed his preseason ramp up. Called next week a “big week” as he revs back up for regular season.

Here he is explaining it pic.twitter.com/0ZCCmWYFO1

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 1, 2022

My take... it was great for him to blow off steam, get away from the game, have fun, not think about rehab or basketball... just life life a bit.
These players have been in sports since age 6 and he's over 30 now. Goodness, there's more to life. Step away, get some perspective, come back even stronger. Kerr has advocated that, in fact. "Have interests outside of basketball!"

I'm not worried. He'll come back reinvigored.

concordtom said:

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Big C said:

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The Draymond story is getting more attention because who doesn't enjoy an altercation, but I actually find the Klay thing even weirder: One of your stars doesn't play much ball in the offseason -- to the point where he participates in camp but still might not be ready for the opening of the season -- because he had a "mental block". What the heck?!?

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I missed that quote from Kerr.
Where did that come from?

Maybe Klay satisfied himself with last season and is ready to chill in life.

Never mind... here it is;

Klay Thompson didn’t play pickup this summer. Called it a “mental block” he will eventually get over because of torn Achilles in summer ball. But that’s slowed his preseason ramp up. Called next week a “big week” as he revs back up for regular season.

Here he is explaining it pic.twitter.com/0ZCCmWYFO1

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 1, 2022

My take... it was great for him to blow off steam, get away from the game, have fun, not think about rehab or basketball... just life life a bit.
These players have been in sports since age 6 and he's over 30 now. Goodness, there's more to life. Step away, get some perspective, come back even stronger. Kerr has advocated that, in fact. "Have interests outside of basketball!"

I'm not worried. He'll come back reinvigored.

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I have zero problem with a player taking a break sometimes, stepping away, whatever. And I get the injury situation: He might have felt "not quite right" coming back in the spring. These guys work really hard and here I am, sitting here putting off going on a slow 20 minute run. I get it: These are people, not machines.

But it seems weird when it's to the point that he might not be ready for the opener and it's described as a "mental block".

Big C said:

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concordtom said:

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Big C said:

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The Draymond story is getting more attention because who doesn't enjoy an altercation, but I actually find the Klay thing even weirder: One of your stars doesn't play much ball in the offseason -- to the point where he participates in camp but still might not be ready for the opening of the season -- because he had a "mental block". What the heck?!?

---

I missed that quote from Kerr.
Where did that come from?

Maybe Klay satisfied himself with last season and is ready to chill in life.

Never mind... here it is;

Klay Thompson didn’t play pickup this summer. Called it a “mental block” he will eventually get over because of torn Achilles in summer ball. But that’s slowed his preseason ramp up. Called next week a “big week” as he revs back up for regular season.

Here he is explaining it pic.twitter.com/0ZCCmWYFO1

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 1, 2022

My take... it was great for him to blow off steam, get away from the game, have fun, not think about rehab or basketball... just life life a bit.
These players have been in sports since age 6 and he's over 30 now. Goodness, there's more to life. Step away, get some perspective, come back even stronger. Kerr has advocated that, in fact. "Have interests outside of basketball!"

I'm not worried. He'll come back reinvigored.

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I have zero problem with a player taking a break sometimes, stepping away, whatever. And I get the injury situation: He might have felt "not quite right" coming back in the spring. These guys work really hard and here I am, sitting here putting off going on a slow 20 minute run. I get it: These are people, not machines.

But it seems weird when it's to the point that he might not be ready for the opener and it's described as a "mental block".

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This doesn't seem worth freaking out over.

Dude tore his Achilles playing pickup during the off-season. Understandably he's weary of playing pick up again this off season cause I'm sure that injury was fairly traumatic. That's it. End of story.

In the end, this whole draymond thing could end up working well for the warriors in the long run (clearly this doesn't help in the short run)

We already knew the dubs couldn't afford to keep Poole, draymond, klay and wiggins. But if this forces draymond to take a significant paycut? That would conceivably allow the dubs to keep the entire band together.

Of course, who knows what draymond decides to do. Maybe he signs an extension with a deep discount. Maybe he decides to exercise his option which then may force the warriors to trade him

The video so revealing. It was pretty much a sucker punch against a smaller and younger player--and could easily have shattered Poole's jaw. Could have ruined the Dubs' season before it started--Poole out for weeks, Dray then suspended for a longer time, team dissension. Obviously this was not a one off with Dray, given his long history of screw ups. Something has to give here.

ducky23 said:

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In the end, this whole draymond thing could end up working well for the warriors in the long run (clearly this doesn't help in the short run)

We already knew the dubs couldn't afford to keep Poole, draymond, klay and wiggins. But if this forces draymond to take a significant paycut? That would conceivably allow the dubs to keep the entire band together.

Of course, who knows what draymond decides to do. Maybe he signs an extension with a deep discount. Maybe he decides to exercise his option which then may force the warriors to trade him

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I have the same perspective regarding future contracts (the problem with so many deserving & the enormous luxury tax implications). With the video being leaked to the public, regardless of how Ownership views it all, fans of Warriors and other teams are not going to support a future max contract for Green.

So, I don't see any team offering a Max Contract, with both his age & this video being a deterrent.

Regarding the luxury tax, I definitely feel the tax penalties should be less severe for the players teams have drafted versus those signed as free agents (smart drafting shouldn't be penalized the same as teams just trying to buy players away from teams).

Wookids said:

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ducky23 said:

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In the end, this whole draymond thing could end up working well for the warriors in the long run (clearly this doesn't help in the short run)

We already knew the dubs couldn't afford to keep Poole, draymond, klay and wiggins. But if this forces draymond to take a significant paycut? That would conceivably allow the dubs to keep the entire band together.

Of course, who knows what draymond decides to do. Maybe he signs an extension with a deep discount. Maybe he decides to exercise his option which then may force the warriors to trade him

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I have the same perspective regarding future contracts (the problem with so many deserving & the enormous luxury tax implications). With the video being leaked to the public, regardless of how Ownership views it all, fans of Warriors and other teams are not going to support a future max contract for Green.

So, I don't see any team offering a Max Contract, with both his age & this video being a deterrent.

Regarding the luxury tax, I definitely feel the tax penalties should be less severe for the players teams have drafted versus those signed as free agents (smart drafting shouldn't be penalized the same as teams just trying to buy players away from teams).

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Agreed on both points. Any leverage draymond may have had in extension negotiations has disappeared. If he wants to stay with the warriors, he will have to take a significant pay cut, as he's almost assured that Poole is going to be the one to get the extension. He could exercise his 1 year option, though I don't see him wanting to be a lame duck for that one year. Plus the warriors will probably want to trade him if they can't sign him long term. The problem is that he's also lost a lot of trade value. I think it's very possible everything gets worked out with Poole/draymond and dray basically apologizes to the team by signing an extension with a significant discount. That's the best apology you can make to your team.

As far as the luxury tax goes, it's absolutely ridiculous that teams get penalised for successfully drafting good players. Though I don't see that rule changing any time soon, even though it's the right thing to do. All of the other owners hate lacob/warriors way too much to be doing them any favors.

MSaviolives said:

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The video so revealing. It was pretty much a sucker punch against a smaller and younger player--and could easily have shattered Poole's jaw. Could have ruined the Dubs' season before it started--Poole out for weeks, Dray then suspended for a longer time, team dissension. Obviously this was not a one off with Dray, given his long history of screw ups. Something has to give here.

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Bonta was quite excitable about it. This was a few days ago after the video came out. But, yeah, talking about trading Dzg immediately is asked. Among lots of other stuff

Wookids said:

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With the video being leaked to the public, regardless of how Ownership views it all, fans of Warriors and other teams are not going to support a future max contract for Green.

So, I don't see any team offering a Max Contract, with both his age & this video being a deterrent.

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DG was NEVER going to get a max contract. By anyone. It was an odd call by him to try and say he deserved one.
I figure he was trying to boost his deal, but max? No way.

The punch makes me feel that maybe he actually believed his own campaign and so when he realized he wasn't getting it he couldn't take it in stride.

Now, he just tangibly lowered his contract by many many millions. His only salvation is to play incredibly well and make everyone forget this by season's end.

I'm not sure he's capable of improving his level of play at this point. He can improve his behavior, but that won't get him back the money he's lost.

ducky23 said:

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I think it's very possible everything gets worked out with Poole/draymond and dray basically apologizes to the team by signing an extension with a significant discount. That's the best apology you can make to your team.

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Amen to that!!

I would be shocked if Dray signed an extension at a significant discount.

If he plays well this season, he opts out and tries to get a big contract from someone. If he plays poorly, he'll exercise his player option for another year and try again (or try to force the Dubs to trade him).

I say go out and lead the Dubs to a repeat and force the issue.

philbert said:

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I would be shocked if Dray signed an extension at a significant discount.

If he plays well this season, he opts out and tries to get a big contract from someone. If he plays poorly, he'll exercise his player option for another year and try again (or try to force the Dubs to trade him).

I say go out and lead the Dubs to a repeat and force the issue.

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I don't think the Warriors are going to make it out of the west.
I don't think the youngsters are ready, I don't think Klay are Dray are near their primes, and I think last year was just like what Draymond said: "they let us get one".

As to what happens to Dray, I think it's entirely up to him. He can humble himself and turn the keys over to the youngsters gracefully (putting in solid work until then) and retire a Bay Area legend in 4-5 years, or he can do what it appears he may be headed toward and that is a last grand stand at ego and payday hunting in some other city with negative results. That is, I don't see him being a meaningful player on another team, but his ego will tell him otherwise.

If DG had the ego and work ethic of Steph, he'd get a lot more production out of his final years. But then, he wouldn't have been the DG he is and has been to begin with. Every team needs a Dog. But every dog also has its day to be sent to pasture. Will DG evolve? That remains to be seen, and is why NBA drama is so compelling. It's ultimately the life stories more than the actual basketball. Cause, heck, there are many people who swear Jerry Cousy is one of the all-time greats.

Glad to see Cousy clap back at @jj_redick for those disrespectful remarks. I could put together a team of firemen and plumbers who could crush JJ’a best team pic.twitter.com/79wqqi8JJj

— MrTerrific3565 (@MrTerrific3565) May 20, 2022

I'm surprised that Cousy didn't go with, "Well, I can't speak for everyone else in terms of being plumbers & firemen, but Al Bianchi worked construction & Tommy sold insurance in the offseason so that modern players like @jj_redick don't have to worry about money after retiring." pic.twitter.com/VR0OGn3PEZ

— Ned Snark (@Ned_Snark) May 20, 2022

And they were having so much fun, too...

of interest:

https://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/warriors-draymond-green-lakers-rumors-17502124.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight

Lakers could use more "glue guys" like Draymond who want to win games and less guys that need to get up X many shots.

I wonder if the W's could cut him now, save his salary, and stop him from playing anywhere else if they would.

I wonder if Draymond will continue to be a jerk.
Actually, of course he will. Not wondering.

concordtom said:

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I wonder if the W's could cut him now, save his salary, and stop him from playing anywhere else if they would.

I wonder if Draymond will continue to be a jerk.
Actually, of course he will. Not wondering.

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No chance they cut him. He's still way too valuable to their title hopes. What they do after this season is the real question.

westcoast101 said:

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concordtom said:

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I wonder if the W's could cut him now, save his salary, and stop him from playing anywhere else if they would.

I wonder if Draymond will continue to be a jerk.
Actually, of course he will. Not wondering.

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No chance they cut him. He's still way too valuable to their title hopes. What they do after this season is the real question.

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And now that they have committed big bucks to Poole and Wiggins, it becomes even more interesting.

DG may have to opt in for the contractual $25-27M next year in absence of any other offer as rich. And that would mean lacob has shot the moon. Could he afford to keep all of them? Or would a trade have to occur?

Big C said:

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Lakers could use more "glue guys" like Draymond who want to win games and less guys that need to get up X many shots.

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Draymond should save face and get out a winner and before he embarasses himself.
Ooops. Too late.


Former NBA player Charles Barkley has agreed to a 10-year deal with TNT, expected to pay more than nine figures, according to a report from the New York Post.
Barkley's current contract with the NBA broadcaster which pays him $10 million per season still has three years left, ending after the 2024-25 season and overlapping with TNT's broadcast agreement with the league.
If Barkley fulfills his entire current contract, he would be looking at making over $100 million, approaching $200 million, but the exact amount is not yet known. In the case that Turner Broadcasting doesn't keep the NBA, Barkley could also own rights to employment for other digital platforms or networks, especially if Amazon, Apple or other tech giants are involved.
The 59-year-old has hinted at retirement at the age of 60, but TNT's latest offer to Barkley follows its commitment to Barkley's partners Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith according to The Post.

The question now isn’t so much whether a Draymond Green divorce looms for the Warriors, but rather when and how it’ll happen. My latest: https://t.co/Uv1rWrR2RA

— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) October 18, 2022

When Jordan Poole see Draymond at the Warriors facility pic.twitter.com/kgR7AUeQZ5

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) October 15, 2022

bearister said:

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Someday Draymond will mess with the wrong bull and he will walk away a better man….if he walks away. Everyone meets their match sooner or later.

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In the news today, TNT signed Barkley Shaq and Smith back to big long deals.

I wonder if the thing that got Draymond upset outside of Warrior-land, which he said caused him to be agitated prior to coming to practice that day he punched Poole, was that he realized his post playing career would not be as easy as simply taking over for Charles in a couple years.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/charles-barkley-speaks-massive-inside-020728889.html

Klay Thompson ejected from Warriors-Suns after jawing with Devin Booker - NBC Sports Bay Area


https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/klay-thompson-ejected-warriors-suns-after-jawing-devin-booker

oops... mental block

I love Klay's willingness to be emotionally vulnerable, his fight to get back physically and compete, and his honesty: "of course I'm not the same player". "Like, duh!"

Go Klay!!! Win or lose, go Klay!

Charles Barkley says Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are “slowing down” and “slipping” 📝

🎥 @NBAonTNTpic.twitter.com/rHdhcHkE0u

— KNBR (@KNBR) October 26, 2022

"It hurts when someone like Charles Barkley says you're not the same player prior to the injuries you had. Tore my ACL and Achilles in consecutive years and still helped a team win a championship.”

- Klay Thompson vented after win over the Heat 🗣️pic.twitter.com/sxLgy6Xf5U

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) October 28, 2022

Steph Curry wasn't done taking shots after tonight's game. Here are his thoughts on Charles Barkley saying that Klay Thompson isn't the same player, which upset Klay.

"It's interesting because certain guys kind of forget what their careers looked like on the backend." #dubnation pic.twitter.com/tjgd21VZ3L

— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) October 28, 2022

Klay needs to be a stoic, tough Marlboro man. Either that, or just punch somebody, like my man Draymond.

Big C said:

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Klay needs to be a stoic, tough Marlboro man. Either that, or just punch somebody, like my man Draymond.

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I'm going to interpret that as Klay punching a guy like Draymond. How about if Klay kicks Draymond in the nards by "accident" by kicking his leg forward doing a jumper (like Draymond did to Steven Adams).

*My interpretation requires ignoring the stop sign created by your comma.

bearister said:

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Big C said:

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Klay needs to be a stoic, tough Marlboro man. Either that, or just punch somebody, like my man Draymond.

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I'm going to interpret that as Klay punching a guy like Draymond. How about if Klay kicks Draymond in the nards by "accident" by kicking his leg forward doing a jumper (like Draymond did to Steven Adams).

*My interpretation requires ignoring the stop sign created by your comma.

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Another word resurrection.

Do kids still say Nard?

Axios Visuals