Dahntay Jones on Draymond Green: ‘Some people like to draw attention to themselves’

Dahntay Jones was fined $10,000 Monday for bumping into Draymond Green during a television interview after the Golden State Warriors beat the Clippers on Sunday, 106-98.

Before the Clippers played the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, Jones said he did not nudge Green on purpose, and that he plans to appeal the fine.

“No, I didn’t do it on purpose,” Jones said. “I don’t have a reason to do it on purpose, but it’s cool. I apologize if I hurt his feelings.”

Jones said he was just trying to fit through a tight spot, and accidentally made contact with Green.

“I thought it was just a brush, honestly and truthfully.” Jones said. “I may be stronger than I think I am.”

Jones said he was surprised Green took offense at the incident.

“Some people like to draw attention to themselves and make themselves bigger than what it is,” Jones said. “I think it was more of him drawing attention to himself, and being the reason why somebody else got fined, but it is what it is.”

Green, who had 23 points Sunday, told reporters he thought Jones was instigating something.

“I think he wanted a reaction from me, but he don’t play,” Green said.

Jones has averaged 0.9 points and 0.4 rebounds in 4.6 minutes a game over 17 games for the Clippers, who recently signed him for the season after signing him to two 10-day contracts.

The Clippers and the Warriors have had a chippy history the past few years, bolstered by a hard-fought seven-game first round playoff series last season between the teams that the Clippers won.

But Jones said he and Green have had no prior confrontations, and he didn’t have any issues with the Warriors forward.

“I don’t even know him as an individual, so there’s no bad blood,” Jones said. “Somebody had a good game, and wanted a little bit more attention.”

Jones said he thought the way Green handled the situation was “immature,” and said he would have handled it differently.

“I would have just shrugged it off,” Jones said. “He wanted to make something of it.”

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers backed up Jones.

“Honestly, I just saw it an hour and a half ago and, wow, that was such a violent bump,” Rivers quipped.

Rivers went on to poke a bit of fun at Green.

“I guess that tough guy in Golden State, the bump was too hard for him, clearly, the way he reacted,” Rivers said. “My goodness. I thought the guy was tough. Anyway, that’s my take on it.”