Dahntay Jones was fined $10,000 by the NBA on Monday for bumping Golden State’s Draymond Green while he was being interviewed on national television.
Jones was walking off the court alongside DeAndre Jordan after Golden State’s 106-98 victory over the Clippers, and Jones bumped Green with his shoulder. Green stopped mid-answer and stared down Jones.
Jones said he’ll appeal the fine and said he didn’t bump Green on purpose.
“Some people like to draw attention to themselves and make themselves bigger than what it is,” Jones said before Monday’s game. “I think it was more him drawing attention to himself and wanting to be the reason someone else got fined, but it is what it is.”
The Clippers originally signed Jones to a 10-day contract in January, then another one and then signed him for the rest of the season.
Doc Rivers defended Jones before the game. He said he was woken up by a text message from Rod Thorn, the president of basketball operations, early in the morning before he had seen or knew about the incident.
“… I’m going by what the league is saying, there’s this bump,” Rivers said. “I’m thinking it must be pretty bad. I just saw it an hour and a half ago. Wow, that was such a violent bump, I’m telling you. It was amazing. I told Dahntay, you’ve got to be careful. That was too hard. I guess that tough guy at Golden State … I think the bump was too hard for him, clearly, the way he reacted. My goodness. I thought that guy was tough.”
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This was by far the biggest news regarding Jones this season. National television certainly played a role, as did Green’s reaction.
“I didn’t think it was that big of a nudge,” Jones said. “If you knock someone off their course you’ll apologize. I thought it was just a brush. Honestly and truthfully. I may be stronger than what I think I am.”
Jones gave the Clippers much energy and enthusiasm on the bench as he is usually seen cheering on his teammates.
He’s averaging .9 points per game. Jones plays sparingly but has been inserted in games for his defense.
But it was that bump that has caused quite a bit of controversy. Asked what happened, Jones said: “Nothing more than what you saw. I didn’t even glance back at him. I think he was waiting for me to look back at him. Me and DJ were trying to fit through a spot. We never got into it. We never exchanged words. We never exchanged glances. We never ran into each other. I don’t even know him as an individual. There’s no bad blood. Just somebody had a good game and wanted a little more attention.”
The Warriors and Clippers don’t like each other, and this seems to be another chapter in that. They’ve developed a rivalry as of the last couple of years, and the Clippers beat the Warriors in seven games in the first round of the postseason last year.
The Clippers host Minnesota tonight on ‘Ralph Lawler Night. Last time the teams played, Jones made two free throws with 9 seconds left to seal the Clippers’ 110-105 victory.
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This story will surely gain more steam when the teams play again March 31 at Staples Center. Jones re-iterated he didn’t bump Green with intent.
“There was no reason to do it on purpose. It’s cool. I apologize if I hurt his feelings,” Jones said.
He then jokingly bumped Austin Rivers, who was sitting next to him, in the locker room.
“Austin, if I run into you I’ll apologize too. Sorry, Austin,” Jones said.
Asked about Green’s reaction, Jones said: “I was surprised. That was a little immature.”
