Milwaukee — A spectator was removed following a complaint by Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green during a game at Milwaukee on Tuesday night, and the Bucks stated they are investigating the incident and consulting with the NBA.
CBSSports.com’s Jack Maloney reports that Green “engaged in a back-and-forth” with the fan as a teammate was trying free-throws.
“A short time later,” Maloney claims, “Green reviewed the situation with the referees, who alerted Fiserv Forum security.”
Security personnel removed the individual, who was seated a few seats beyond the baseline, during a stoppage in play with 5:19 left in the third quarter.
The fan said “some frightening stuff to my life,” Green added. “I was this close to really going back and diving all the way in, but just went back and told the official. And when I told the official, he said, he’s got to go out of here.”
According to Maloney, Green said the league is well aware of the fan conduct dilemma but can only do so much to regulate what individuals are going to say. His biggest grievance is that athletes are punished for their real reactions.
“We’re human beings,” Green stated. “That’s the part I get annoyed with. I know it’s not an issue that the league ignores. I do not believe that to be true. I am aware that they devote a great deal of time to it. Since people are going to be themselves, they will say what they want to say. You can release them, which is amazing.”
Green is quoted by Maloney as saying, “It’s no different from when you see people running on the field or the court.” There is no real penalty, therefore people are only doing it for attention. Okay, you cannot return to the game, but even if you are arrested, nothing significant happens. There may be a $500 bond or something, but nothing actually occurs.
“You hope it gets to the point where these leagues can work with politicians to adopt regulations, because the only thing that will finally fix the problem is if you know something genuine is going to happen to you,” the author says.
This fan was expelled from the Bucks-Warriors game by Draymond.
After Milwaukee’s 128-111 victory, the Bucks issued the following statement: “At the discretion of the referee, we are investigating the case and consulting with the NBA.”
Green, 32, contributed two points, six rebounds, and seven assists in the loss. For the defending NBA champs, he averages nine points, six rebounds, and seven assists per game.
Green was fined $25,000 by the NBA two weeks earlier “for using vulgar words toward a fan.” The incident occurred during the fourth quarter of Golden State’s November 29 loss in Dallas.
»Draymond Green, star for the Warriors, claims a supporter near the court threatened to kill him«