Ahhh… The joys of many jokes were written on Tuesday night in San Francisco, California. Home of the Golden State Warriors, while hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA In-Season Tournament. A full swing of one event led to “the chokehold seen around the world.” Man, oh man… Where shall I begin this mishap of ruckus? Brace yourselves, the voice behind “khaos” is going to break it down…
The scene is set with 10:20 in our opening tip after a missed shot by Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards. Off to the left corner near the Wolves sideline, Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Wolves guard Jaden McDaniels are boxing out off the shot. Both players are in the chest area as they run down court. McDaniels flings Klay and rips his jersey; whistles are blown as both teams attempt to separate their guys.
Before you know it, all we see is players near midcourt shoving one another. Warriors forward Draymond Green runs to get Klay Thompson out in the middle of the fiasco. In the midst, he puts Wolves center Rudy Gobert in a choke hold and slowly walks him away. As this becomes initially bigger, we see Rudy Gobert’s face in a mellow expression. To say the jokes and memes wrote themselves, rightfully so.
Referees sort out who did what to determine technical and flagrant fouls. After further review:
- Klay Thompson- technical foul and ejected; $25,000 fine.
- Draymond Green- flagrant two foul and automatic ejection. (5) game suspension without pay.
- Jaden McDaniels- technical foul and ejected and $25,000 fine.
- Rudy Gobert- $25,000 fine.
Rudy was awarded two free throws plus Wolves retained possession.
As the Warriors fans booed the referees, Klay was in disgust as he put on a new jersey. “What did I do?” he asked. The same thing everyone was thinking and no justification as to why he got ejected. Draymond, who has a history of physical play and technical fouls was pretty much the blame for it all. But… There’s one element of surprise the referees missed: Rudy Gobert put Klay Thompson in a choke hold first to protect Jaden McDaniels.
How can the referees miss this view of what started the whole mayhem? You mean to tell me Rudy is the victim out of this? You mean to tell me a seven footer who can’t fight nor help his team offensively wasn’t warranted of an ejection as well? This was front and center on replay and the refs clearly didn’t see number twenty-seven drape his arms around Klay’s neck.
Draymond Green was doing what any other big brother/teammate would do: protect his guy from getting hurt and enforcing his will to opponents. Let’s play “what if.” Klay Thompson had a freak injury and missed all of 2024 in a contract year? With all he’s been through the last few seasons, Klay can’t afford another injury and miss out on another short term deal to retire with Golden State. “If” this had occurred, we’re having a different conversation.
Draymond is the rock of Golden State’s dynasty; he’s the enforcer, a guy who basically anchors the defense while getting guys in offensive sets. He’s more valuable in a way you can’t replace overnight. A rough rider who’ll get in the chest of other players and let it be known you don’t want the smoke. Dray is going to be the antagonist, even if it means disrupting your best player. This goes back to how the NBA was played when you always had the enforcer to protect your star players. It’s the mantra of old school, playground 80s and 90s basketball.
What Draymond did was what Rick Mahorn, Dennis Rodman, Kevin McHale, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Larry Johnson, Charles Barkley, Rasheed Wallace did in their era. Guys would get into skirmishes and jaws with one another. The rules were different then and fans would get juiced up during a game. Now, every little tick-tack whistle results in flagrant or technical. In this case, Draymond was the focal point and it played into Minnesota’s favor. No matter how you dice it, non-Warriors fans will jump for joy over the next two weeks. Draymond was handed a five game suspension for his role and it’s a little bit of a head scratcher.
To say he started it is flat out wrong when the main player Rudy Gobert was given an NBA Oscar for “Best Supporting Actor.” The referees felt ever so sorry and allowed him to stay in the game. This whole fiasco was blown out of context by Draymond’s role in protecting Klay Thompson. How did Rudy’s “fake tough guy” look impact the Timberwolves in beating the Warriors? Final score: Minnesota 104 Golden State 101.
A difference in not having Klay and Draymond on the floor to aid the Warriors scoring. Rather it was twenty-five points or ten points, this played into Minnesota’s gameplan, and it worked. Even without Steph Curry in the lineup, what moral victory did Minnesota get? Nothing… You scripted a solid act and dinged the Golden Gate Bridge with a wrecking ball. Taking a page out of Memphis’ book and carbon copy on how to get the Warriors fired up. I’ve seen this movie before, and it flopped.
Gameplan wise was Head Coach Steve Kerr’s semi assessment on Wolves guard Anthony Edwards prior to an interview in the offseason. Ant-Man said he “wanted a playoff matchup with Golden State.” For a Timberwolves team who isn’t known for postseason success put a big target on and dared Golden State to think otherwise. As the old saying goes “it’s free real estate” knowing the Warriors gave Minnesota bulletin board material.
If these two teams meet in the playoffs, as Michael Jordan said: “And I took it personal.” Golden State will seek redemption in their fashion by reminding the young Timberwolves they’re not this tough, physical team. This “feud” is nothing more than a classic 1980s rap battle between LL Cool J and Kool Moe Dee. Golden State is LL: successful and among the elite teams in the league. Championship pedigree with a great head coach and roster. Minnesota is Kool Moe Dee: solid catalog with hits and catchy punchlines. Working around the clock to make sure he kept up with his rival.
In the end, if these two were to meet in the playoffs, it’s a different mentality. Golden State has been through the trenches and foxholes with plenty of wars. This is nothing new for them and every team has an issue with their success. Minnesota is running wild right now, but the dawn of a new day will rise. That’s when the real “war” will be won. The young Wolves are howling loud, but will it lead to postseason success in April? The battle is ongoing; while the war is far from finished between Golden State and Minnesota.
Stai tuned…
