Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob said he’s not bothered by the blowup between stars Draymond Green and Kevin Durant, and that in no way has the organization chosen sides between the two.
Lacob told the San Francisco Chronicle that while Green “went beyond what we felt was appropriate” in his argument with Durant, the Warriors are handling things “very appropriately.”
“It’s totally a management issue,” Lacob said. “[General manager] Bob Myers, and our head coach Steve Kerr are handling it. And they’re handling it very appropriately.”
The Warriors’ chemistry is being examined after Green and Durant got into a verbal altercation both in the huddle and in the locker room following an overtime loss to the LA Clippers on Monday night.
Green was ultimately suspended one game without pay by the team for “conduct detrimental.” A source told The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears that Green plans to appeal to get his game check back, though he has already served the suspension.
The team’s decision to reprimand one player and not the other has raised questions as to whether the Warriors are giving preferential treatment toward Durant, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. Lacob struck down that notion.
“I’ve read and heard all the things people are talking about. That we’re choosing one person over another,” Lacob told the Chronicle. “We’re not choosing anybody over anybody.”
Lacob said Green gets the situation, as well.
“He understands that, by the way,” Lacob said. “I’ve been texting with him, and he totally gets it. I do have a great relationship with him, and I still do.”
Lacob, who has seen the Warriors win three NBA titles since his ownership group took over in 2010, is “really not worried at all” about the sudden drama on the team, echoing the sentiment of some of the players who believe winning will make everything blow over.
“I don’t think there’s any reason to feel uneasy. We’re in first place,” said Lacob of the 12-4 Warriors. “When you’re on top, everyone’s coming to get you. Not only on the court, but off the court. We understand that. All we can control is how we act and what we do. What reporters write is not really relevant to be honest.”