SAD: One of the Golden State Warriors’ key players has been suspended for the following reasons:
According to Team USA, Draymond Green, a two-time gold medallist, may benefit more from not being on the Olympic roster as he is currently “working through some things both on and off the court.”
Draymond Green, a two-time gold medallist, will not be included in USA Basketball’s player pool as it finalizes its Olympic roster for 2024 in Paris.
When the 41-player pool was unveiled on Tuesday, January 23, USA Basketball executive director Grant Hill gave the defensive specialist’s absence as the result of his two suspensions this season with the Golden State Warriors.
“His contributions have been significant, and he is a real part of this organization’s legacy for his excellence,” Hill said over a video conference call with reporters on Wednesday, January 24.
“However, we decided not to include (Green) on this list at this specific stage of the process due to what has happened this year.”
NBA rookies and seasoned players make up the roster of players named to Team USA:
The following players: Joel Embiid, De’Aaron Fox, Paul George, Aaron Gordon, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., LeBron James, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Trae Young.
In addition to being the national team coach, Green is a key member of the Warriors’ leadership core, according to Golden State head coach Steve Kerr.
In accordance with his punishment, Green started counseling before Adam Silver, the commissioner, and the Warriors decided he was ready for a comeback.
“He’s working through some things both on and off the court, and we all understand and certainly have great respect and sensitivity to this particular period in his career,” Hill remarked.
We at USA Basketball wanted to help him along the way, but we didn’t think that playing in the summer would give him the best chance to accomplish his goals.
Warriors roll onto the court in an emotional return.
On Wednesday night, January 24, in San Francisco, Green played in his second game after missing 16 straight. He finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals as the Warriors defeated the Atlanta Hawks 134-112 in tribute to Dejan Milojevic.
The evening started with an on-court memorial to Milojevic, the former Hawks summer league coach and three-year Warriors assistant who passed away on January 17 after suffering a heart attack at a Golden State team dinner in Salt Lake City the night before. Jonathan Kuminga’s flawless night completed the Warriors’ heartfelt victory.
After two postponements, the Warriors played their first game in nine days. They ended a two-game losing streak with a 38-point first quarter and rarely looked back. The victory followed an emotional pregame ceremony.
In a 25-point effort, Kuminga made all 11 of his shots, tying a franchise record.
For Golden State, Stephen Curry contributed 25 points, while Klay Thompson contributed 24.
The Hawks, who were playing three games in Northern California without Trae Young because of a concussion, lost both of their games despite having 23 points from Dejounte Murray and 21 from Jalen Johnson.
Kuminga’s shooting performance on December 1, 1990, at Miami, was identical to Chris Mullin’s 11-for-11 performance.
Kuminga also found time for two steals, two assists, two blocks, and a team-high nine rebounds for Golden State, which shot 56% overall and 48.5% (16-of-33) from beyond the arc.
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