"I sympathize with them": Draymond Green on why he feels connection with people affected by Israel-Hamas conflict

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors has never been afraid to speak his mind to the media. Green was one of the first athletes to comment on the conflict between Israel and Hamas a few weeks after it started. The former Defensive Player of the Year didn't take a side, but felt sorry about the innocent people involved.

Green told reporters on Sunday after the team's practice what he really feels about the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He explained why most people are quiet, while adding why he feels sadness about what is happening there.

"It's important because so many people are sitting quiet on it," Green said. "A lot of people sit quiet because they don't want to get into the politics of things. A lot of people sit quiet because they don't want to get themselves in trouble, whatever 'trouble' means.

"And believe or not, a lot of people sit quiet because there's not much compassion left in this country. I'm a Black man. I know how it feels to get f*cked over. So, I sympathize with them." [H/T NBC Sports Bay Area]

Draymond Green also sent a heartfelt message to all the people affected by the conflict, whether they are from Israel or from Palestine.

"I just send my heart out to everybody involved, to Palestinians and Israelis," Green said. "You've got people dying daily. So, I send my heart out to them."

The recent conflict started on October 7 when the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas attacked the Israeli border in the Gaza Strip. Israel immediately declared war on Hamas and it continues to this day, with more than 6,000 lives lost.

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Draymond Green cleared to return to practice

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors missed all five preseason games due to an ankle injury.

Draymond Green suffered an ankle injury in a pick game back in late September and was initially ruled out for at least a month. The Golden State Warriors later confirmed Green's injury and ruled him out for at least two preseason games. However, he eventually missed all of the Warriors' five preseason games.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after Sunday's practice that Green has been cleared to return to 5-on-5 practice. Kerr is still unsure about Green's status for Opening Night against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, so he remains listed as questionable.

Green practices on Sunday and can be seen doing work with teammates. He signed a new contract this past summer to stay in Golden State, so he'll still be an important part of the franchise's plans for at least the next three seasons.

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