10-09-2022, 07:36 AM
Have people ever had a wider variety of takes on a punch and the implications of how it was revealed publicly?
Rather than look at it chronologically, reverse-chronologically might be more instructive. On Saturday Draymond made his first public comments on the matter, and not surprisingly, he said all the right things. At this point, the person who will be most important to hear from is of course, Jordan Poole.
To me, the most impressive thing Draymond said was that he made his first comments in front of the media, not on his podcast where he controls everything, so he would show he isn't ducking anything and taking full responsibility for his actions. Importantly, he said he loves Jordan Poole, and that he's always had his back, even has his locker next to his. Draymond never suggested anyone but him has any responsibility for the punch he threw. He didn't even say "Jordan said" to try to offer some sort of justification for doing it. Draymond also made clear it's totally up to Jordan Poole if he wants any further relationship with him moving forward, recognizing the gravity of what he did.
My guess is Poole will be forgiving of Draymond, and recognize the punch was more about Draymond losing his cool due to his own personal issues than any animus toward himself, taking into account how much Draymond has helped him in his career to this point. The incident will galvanize the team and nobody talks about it anymore after the season starts, unless the team starts the season poorly.
If the W's start slow, everyone will be claiming they have team chemistry issues due to the punch, but I don't expect it will truly impact the team in any truly detrimental way.
Rather than look at it chronologically, reverse-chronologically might be more instructive. On Saturday Draymond made his first public comments on the matter, and not surprisingly, he said all the right things. At this point, the person who will be most important to hear from is of course, Jordan Poole.
To me, the most impressive thing Draymond said was that he made his first comments in front of the media, not on his podcast where he controls everything, so he would show he isn't ducking anything and taking full responsibility for his actions. Importantly, he said he loves Jordan Poole, and that he's always had his back, even has his locker next to his. Draymond never suggested anyone but him has any responsibility for the punch he threw. He didn't even say "Jordan said" to try to offer some sort of justification for doing it. Draymond also made clear it's totally up to Jordan Poole if he wants any further relationship with him moving forward, recognizing the gravity of what he did.
My guess is Poole will be forgiving of Draymond, and recognize the punch was more about Draymond losing his cool due to his own personal issues than any animus toward himself, taking into account how much Draymond has helped him in his career to this point. The incident will galvanize the team and nobody talks about it anymore after the season starts, unless the team starts the season poorly.
If the W's start slow, everyone will be claiming they have team chemistry issues due to the punch, but I don't expect it will truly impact the team in any truly detrimental way.