OKLAHOMA CITY – Warriors forward Draymond Green continued to plead his case Monday, repeatedly insisting his kick to the crotch of Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams was completely inadvertent.
“I see how somebody can think it was intentional,” Green said before practice. “But yet, nobody can go in my head and say ‘Draymond was thinking about kicking him and he kicked him.’ ”
[RELATED: Draymond: 'I look forward to apologizing' to Adams]
Meanwhile, the NBA office continued its investigation into the incident that touched off global debate in the wake of Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Rising to take a shot over Adams, Green was fouled by the Thunder center but in the process lifted his right leg into Adams’ groin area. It certainly looked painful, leaving Adams doubled over on the floor.
Assessed a Flagrant 1 by lead official Scott Foster, Green could be suspended. He could be fined. The Flagrant 1 could be rescinded, a result for which the Warriors have been openly campaigning.
A decision is expected sometime Monday, certainly well before Game 4 on Tuesday, from the office of former player Kiki VanDeWeghe, the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations.
The salient question is in regard to intent, generally a crucial element of any judicial process, whether in sports or the law. VanDeWeghe’s office will review video, interview the principals and render a decision.
No one from the league had reached out to coach Steve Kerr, general manager Bob Myers or Green prior to practice at 11:30 a.m. central time.
Kerr reiterated his stance from Sunday, saying he believes the flagrant call should be rescinded. He also conceded that there is a chance Green will not be available for Game 4.
“We will prepare as a staff; we will talk about all the possibilities,” he said. “But we’ll just see what happens.”
Green insists the contact was part of his effort to ensure a foul would be called on Adams. Green added that Foster told him he did not believe it was an intentional blow but that flagrant call was the result of contact to the groin.
“It is what is,” he said. “People are going to judge what they want to judge. But I know I didn’t do it on purpose.
“My first thought was, like I said (Sunday) night, I thought it was going to get rescinded – not be facing a suspension.”
