The Golden State Warriors survived the first-round series against the Houston Rockets. They would love to have finished the series in five games. But that didn’t happen. After only a day of rest, they are scheduled to play the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round. But the biggest challenge for the Warriors might not be the Timberwolves. It is their own, Draymond Green and his technical fouls.
The Clock is Ticking on Draymond Green to Miss Games
Green was at the forefront of several scuffles during the first-round series against the Houston Rockets. Whether he wants to admit it or not, he might have cost the team a game. In Game 6, Green didn’t bring his focus to the game, and as a result, the Warriors lost. Speaking after Game 7, he said that he wanted to show people his value and retcon his mistakes from the previous game. But here is the thing: Green already has four technical fouls in this postseason. Three more and he will have to watch a game from the stands. The Warriors are too dependent on Green on the defensive end to survive a game he doesn’t play.
Fans keeping notice will tell you it will not be the first time that Green costs his team a victory. We all remember the 2016 playoffs. Things changed after Draymond was suspended for Game 5, and the Cleveland Cavaliers got back into the game. In an interview with ESPN several years ago, he said,
“It’s one of the most brutal things I ever had to go through in my life. If I played, we win of course. So, I do feel it’s my fault that we lost.”
Most Warriors fans agree with that statement. But with Draymond, you have to live through the good and the bad. He is the heart and soul of the Warriors. Without him, they wouldn’t contend for a championship.
How Do Technical Fouls Work in the Playoffs?
After the regular season ends, the NBA resets technical fouls for players. All players participating in the playoffs begin with a clean slate. During the regular season, players are fined with a suspension after 16 technical fouls. In the postseason, that number drops to seven. However, there are multiple suspensions possible with additional fouls. Here is a summary of the penalties:
- Technical fouls 5 and 6 will result in a fine of $4,000 per foul, and the NBA will issue a warning to the player.
- Technical foul No.7 will result in an automatic one-game suspension.
- Each two additional fouls will trigger a suspension and a $5,000 fine. That means that getting to No.9, 11, or 13 will result in an automatic one-game suspension.
Can Draymond Green Keep His Cool?
The challenge for Draymond Green will be in the Western Conference Semifinals. If the Warriors get past Minnesota, they play two teams that are not known for their gritty play and trash talk.
In the second round, however, the Warriors will play the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team with Anthony Edwards. Ant is known as a trash talker and one who loves going at players. Plus, we have the tension of the Rudy Gobert–Draymond beef. Green will have to keep his cool, despite probably being challenged by Rudy and Ant.
You can bet that Edwards, who is fully aware of the situation Green is in, will probably try to provoke Draymond. But Ant doesn’t have to worry much about technical fouls, Green has to. Three more technical fouls and Green will miss a game. Without him, the Warriors’ entire system goes down to drain. They have nobody who can replace Green and his production on the defensive end.
Featured image: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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