Neither did Draymond Green, which made it even stranger that the Pistons reserve aggressively approached the Warriors’ bench after the Golden State crashed Detroit 118-91 Saturday night at the Chase Center.
“When did the — Rodney McGruder become the tough guy on the team?” Green said. “I do not know dude. Everyone in the league is tough these days. It’s crazy.
“I saw a lot of tough guys this year. I don’t understand and nobody does anything. “
McGruder, who played the final six minutes, 24 seconds from the explosion, walked towards the Warriors’ bench after the bell. He went straight to Juan Toscano-Anderson, apparently questioning a comment the Warriors’ two-way player addressed Wayne Ellington during the first half.
The fire was quickly extinguished, as no Pistons players supported McGruder, and instead walked towards his own dressing room.
“Get the hell out of here,” said Green. “Tough guy, Rodney. Rodney, fucking tough guy. Also, I’m churning with Juan T. Juan T was about to bring that ‘Town Bizness’. “
Retired from Kansas State in 2013, McGruder played 112 games for Miami from 2016 to 19. He played 56 games for the Clippers last season, including four.
He averaged 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds during his career.
McGruder totaled 13 minutes and 36 seconds of playing time in 19 games with Detroit this season before recording the clean-up duty on Saturday.
“This guy may be out of the league soon,” said Warriors playmaker Klay Thompson. “He may be mad about this.”
Rusty Simmons is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron