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February 9, 2017

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Green: Heated exchange with Durant a tactic

Source: Agencies | February 9, 2017, Thursday | Print Edition

GOLDEN State Warriors forward Draymond Green downplayed his recent blow-up with teammate Kevin Durant and called the verbal exchange “a tactic” on Tuesday.

The two players were caught on camera having an animated discussion during the team’s 106-109 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday when Durant appeared to confront Green on the sidelines during a break.

But Green insisted that all is well between him and his fellow All Star forward. “If you can’t (air out issues with teammates) you’re probably on a losing team,” Green told reporters. “It was actually a tactic. But that’s for us to know and everyone else to figure out.”

Durant struggled through one of his worst nights of the season, shooting 2-for-10 with just 10 points against the Kings but made no mention of the spat following the contest.

Green and Durant squabbled on the court late in the third quarter after a mix-up led to a shot-clock violation. Soon after, Green could be seen on video walking toward Durant and yelling from close range while raising his hands in the air. Green then took a seat on the bench and Durant came over to continue their argument, with Shaun Livingston playing peacemaker.

It was not the first time Green and Durant have been involved in a testy encounter as the fiery Green was also seen yelling at the newcomer last month during a defeat to Memphis.

Golden State (43-8) leads the NBA standings but is still adjusting to the presence of leading scorer Durant who joined the team in the offseason.

“Anyone who knows anything about winning knows (conflict) is going to happen,” Green said. “Just is what it is.”

Coach Steve Kerr considers such flaps healthy and positive once in a while but he was already long gone after being ejected with 3:34 left in the third quarter for a profanity-laden tirade directed at official Bill Spooner. The reigning NBA Coach of the Year apologized through the league to Spooner a day later. The NBA fined Kerr US$25,000 on Monday.

Kerr described the defeat as one of his team’s worst games. The Warriors host Chicago today and will try to avoid consecutive regular-season losses for the first time since April 2015 during the franchise’s championship season.

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