Draymond Green is on a heartfelt mission to mend fences with his former Golden State Warriors teammate, Jordan Poole. Despite their rocky past, there’s a growing sense that reconciliation may be possible.
When the Washington Wizards faced off against the Warriors and lost 122-114 on a recent Saturday, Poole took a moment to reflect on his time in San Francisco. His remarks were almost nostalgic, filled with genuine appreciation: “I love those guys over there.” It was clear he still holds his ex-teammates in high regard, even if his universal affection was somewhat selective with, “I love most of those guys over there.” Many fans sensed there was more beneath the surface, interpreting his comments as pointed remarks at Draymond.
The aftermath saw Green respond with what some might call an unexpected admission of remorse. Underneath a report of Poole’s comments posted by senior NBA columnist Marc J. Spears, Green tweeted, “I really am sorry.” This simple message ignited a flurry of reactions from fans. Social media erupted with disbelief and humor, as some expressed shock, while others initially thought it might be from a parody account. It made for a whirlwind moment on Twitter, reflecting the complicated feelings surrounding their past conflict.
The backdrop of this reconciliation effort centers on a serious incident from the 2022-23 season when tensions erupted during a training camp, leading to Green throwing a punch that rocked the team. The fallout left Poole shaken and hard feelings lingered well into the following season. Green later opened up about how deeply this incident troubled him. He admitted to feeling immense shame, stating, “I was so embarrassed to be around our team last year with [Jordan Poole] still on the [Warriors].” His avoidance was a way to deal with guilt; he would meticulously time his arrivals to avoid running into his teammate, to the point of ensuring he didn’t have to see him at all.
But since that turbulent season, Green has made strides in his personal growth. His fiery temperament has long been a hallmark of his playing style, but it also led to consequences, like an altercation with Suns center Jusuf Nurkić that resulted in an indefinite suspension. The NBA required Green to engage in therapy, and, surprisingly, he found it beneficial. He shared with ESPN how transformative those sessions became for him, saying, “These meetings became so therapeutic for me. It’s helping me, and I f—-ing love it. My plan is to do these meetings for the rest of my career because they’re incredible.”
Now, 34 years old and with a renewed focus on mental health, Green hasn’t encountered any more infractions in the 2024-25 season—a sign that his efforts towards self-improvement are paying off. The genuine goodwill expressed in his recent tweet towards Poole might just be another step in his journey of rebuilding relationships.
As fans watch the drama unfold, they’re not just spectators; they’re emotionally invested in the growth of these athletes—the rivalries, reconciliations, and personal battles. The narrative of Green and Poole isn’t merely one of conflict; it tells a larger story of understanding, redemption, and the difficult yet rewarding path of reconciling one’s past mistakes on and off the court.
