Sad News: Stephen Curry Gets Four Months Suspention In The USA Basketball Male Athlete…
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In a shocking turn of events, NBA superstar Stephen Curry has been handed a four-month suspension in the USA Basketball Male Athlete category. This decision has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, as the Golden State Warriors guard is widely regarded not only as one of the best players in the NBA but also a key figure in USA Basketball’s international success.
The suspension, which will keep Curry sidelined from any USA Basketball activities, comes after an undisclosed violation of team protocols. While specific details surrounding the incident remain under wraps, sources indicate that it involved a breach of conduct rules tied to off-court behavior. The NBA legend has been a prominent figure for the national team, playing a crucial role in multiple international competitions, including the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where he helped secure a gold medal for Team USA.
As a highly influential player, Curry’s absence from upcoming events is likely to have a significant impact on the team’s dynamics. With the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics rapidly approaching, USA Basketball officials are now facing the challenge of filling Curry’s shoes on the national roster. Curry’s leadership, shooting prowess, and experience have made him a fan favorite and an invaluable asset to Team USA, and his suspension will undoubtedly affect the team’s overall preparation.
The Golden State Warriors organization, which Curry has been a part of since 2009, has yet to publicly comment on the suspension. However, the team has expressed support for the player, stating that they believe Curry will handle the situation with professionalism and maturity. Curry himself has remained tight-lipped about the incident, but many expect him to address the suspension in an official statement in the coming weeks.
While the basketball community processes this unexpected news, fans are left wondering about the future of Team USA’s roster and what this suspension means for both Curry’s career and USA Basketball’s international aspirations. Despite the setback, Curry’s legendary career is far from over, and his commitment to the game is sure to continue in the coming years. For now, the basketball world waits to see how this suspension will shape the future of one of the sport’s brightest stars
Kurtenbach: Draymond Green is suspended (again) and it raises some serious questions
Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green’s punch of Jusuf Nurkić will bring his second long suspension in one month — and perhaps expedite his exit from the Warriors
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 12: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after being ejected for a flagrant foul during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on December 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 119-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Draymond Green is staring down an indefinite suspension, and no matter how long it lasts, it’ll be justified.
For the second time in less than a month, Green was ejected Tuesday for on-court pugilism.
In November, Green put Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in an impressive headlock, resulting in a five-game suspension. At least that came amid a fracas.
Tuesday, Green punched Suns center Jusuf Nurkić amid some routine jostling in the post.
He wasn’t coming to the aid of his teammate. He wasn’t countering another dirty play.
Green’s spinning hook punch was dumb, churlish, and exceptionally unnecessary. It was a cheap shot — indefensible, even for those like me who have gone to bat for Green time and time again.
Green claimed he was merely trying to “sell” a foul. He blamed instant replay for how it looked. He agreed with the ejection, but claimed it wasn’t his intention to hit Nurkić.
He said he wasn’t sure the hit was worthy of a suspension.
All of it is worthy of an eye roll.
Green can claim “bad luck,” but there’s no way not to see what Green did as acting out — a moment of frustration turning into a moment of violence.
“What’s going on with him, I don’t know… That brother [needs] help,” Nurkić said. “I’m glad he didn’t try to choke me… That had nothing to do with basketball.”
“Hopefully, what [he’s] got in his life, it [gets] better.”
It’s all so ridiculous, we’re only left to wonder if something larger is at play.
Does Green even want to be out on the floor?
The forward’s frustration boiling over has been the only memorable part of his season. It might be the only memorable aspect of his past two seasons.
And looking back on Green’s 40-minute mea culpa to the media following the punch of teammate Jordan Poole last October, so much of it now rings hollow.
“Hurt people hurt people,” Green said in October of 2022. “I am a very flawed human being… I personally know those flaws better than anyone. The work that I’ve done to correct those flaws has been tremendous, and yet there’s still a very long way to go. That’s a constant work in progress. I’m a constant work in process.”
Where’s the progress? All we’ve seen are more outbursts. Each sadder than the last.
This is a depressing final chapter of a once-great basketball story.
Yes, I know Green signed a four-year, $100 million deal with the Warriors this past offseason. But that deal already looks outlandish.
What reason do we have to believe Green will be able to make it through those four seasons, given how he has started this new term? How can you imagine a winning future when this is the Green who’s along for the ride?
I have defended Green time and time again because he is someone who plays with an edge, and doing that will always leave him liable to spill over to the side of acceptability.
But Green was also a basketball savant and one of the greatest defenders ever. The benefit of Green outweighed the detriment for years. Four banners in the Chase Center rafters can attest to that.
That Green seems so far away.
These days, instead of on-court smarts, Green is providing the Warriors moments of madness.
And those provide anything but a positive impact.
There’s no question that Green has lost a step (or two), but projecting that insecurity into these outbursts aids no one.
Cleaning up for Green has become a full-time job in the Warriors’ organization this season. Going to bat for him after another indefensible action is an exceptional drain on time and energy.
When asked how the Warriors can help Green keep his cool in the future, coach Steve Kerr didn’t have an answer.
“We’ll keep working,” he said.
Sounds exhausting.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Green’s outbursts not only tarnish his reputation — whatever’s left of it — but also the Warriors’ reputation.
They actively hurt the Warriors’ chances of winning in the here and now, too.
The sub-.500 Dubs are not in a position where they can afford to lose anything, much less Green — even if he is a diminished version of himself.
“We need him, we need Draymond. He has to find a way to keep his poise,” Kerr said.
Tuesday, the Dubs were in a one-point game in the early third quarter when Green decided to take a swing on Nurkić. From then on, the Warriors fell behind by 13 before making the game close in garbage time.
Green, like it or not, worthy or not, is a team leader. When he lost his cool, the Warriors lost their focus. It took the game being effectively over for them to find it again.
That part I can understand. What I don’t understand is Green’s rationale.
And now the Dubs will have to figure out how to win without Green, again.
The NBA will surely make an example out of Green — the poster child for dirty play who’s on an absolute heater right now. They’ve promised as much the last time he was suspended.
When this most recent suspension drops, Green will likely go over $3 million in career fines to the NBA. I wonder if they’ll send him a commemorative plaque.
With Tuesday’s loss, the Warriors are 2.5 games out of the final play-in tournament seed. Indeed, they have been a tough watch this season.
And for the next few weeks, Green will, once again, be sitting on the couch like the rest of us, taking it all in.
