Green eyes Warriors return, vows to remove 'antics'
Draymond Green is vowing a commitment to playing without the “antics” that have plagued him on the court throughout his career, working over the past month on ways to control his emotions and not let hostility take over. “Antics isn’t something that got me here, and so when I look back on these situations it's like, ‘Can you remove the antics?’ I'm very confident I can remove the antics,” Green said. Through therapy, Green said he has learned techniques to better deal with tense moments during games when he has previously lost his cool, embracing the idea of improving himself after being disciplined by the NBA with an indefinite suspension last month. Green insists he has “cost my team enough” and feels a sense of urgency to get back on the court and help the Warriors. He doesn't have a return date: “Not yet but I’m pushing to make that as soon as possible.” He noted that a positive of the indefinite timeline was focusing on “being in a better space” without the stress of focusing on an immediate return to basketball. He even contemplated retirement and didn't touch a ball for “the first 10 days because it was the least important thing to me.” The league announced Saturday the end of Green’s indefinite suspension, saying he “demonstrated his commitment to conforming his conduct to standards expected of NBA players” during the penalty that began December 14.  Green has met with a counselor as well as having multiple joint meetings with representatives of the league, the Warriors and the National Basketball Players Association. The 33-year-old Green, a key member of four Warriors championships, was ejected for the 18th time in his career — most among active NBA players — for striking Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic in the face during a 119-116 loss on December 12.  He missed 12 games during his subsequent suspension. (AP)