Michigan State coach Tom Izzo on Draymond Green: 'Sometimes I worry'
East Lansing, Mich. – When speaking with reporters prior to practice at noon on Thursday, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo went through a long checklist of problems that the Spartans are having and his plans of correcting them.
And then someone asked about former Spartan Draymond Green, and his most recent on-court problem. Green was suspended indefinitely by the NBA on Thursday after striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić during Tuesday night’s game.
Izzo, who coached Green at Michigan State from 2008 to 2012, said he has not yet spoken with his former player about the incident, but expects to soon.
“Of course I reached out to him,” said Izzo, who has remained a confidante and mentor of Green since Green graduated. “I talked to Travis (Walton), who was with him. I talked to his coach. I’m trying to get all the information.
“I did not see the incident. I still haven’t seen it. (Former Michigan State assistant) Brian Gregory was there. He called me about it. Some say it was a little crazier than others. I don’t know.
“Last week, I had a 30-minute talk with Draymond. That was probably the best talk I’ve had with him in eight years. Thirty minutes is a long time to talk to Draymond. He was great.
“He is shooting 40-some percent from 3. Brian Gregory said he looks like he’s in great shape. Everything was headed in the right direction.”
This marks Green’s third suspension of the season. He was suspended twice in November. One for grabbing Rudy Gobert in a headlock in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and another time for receiving two technical fouls in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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In a statement released Wednesday night, the NBA said Green’s current indefinite suspension “takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.”
Izzo has a lot of matters to attend to concerning his current team. The Spartans are 4-5 for the first time since 2003 and will face No. 6-ranked Baylor (9-0) at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Izzo discussed his team’s need to continue to improve its shooting; said he has challenged his centers to become more dependable, especially on defense; and challenged his veteran backcourt of Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard to begin living up to their preseason accolades.
In the meantime, Izzo plans to carve out time with Green as well.
“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “I’m going to find out. I’m supposed to talk to his coach after practice today. Hopefully I will talk to Draymond today. I’m disappointed for him, but his coach and I shared a text last night and maybe I’ll know more after practice.”
Green is a four-time NBA champion, a four-time NBA All-Star and a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
“He is 33-years-old, so he is going to be his own man but I still have deep love for him and I still care about him and sometimes I worry,” Izzo said.
More coverage of Izzo’s press briefing about the Spartans, and Michigan State’s practice ahead of Saturday’s game against Baylor, will come via SpartanMag.com shortly.
