USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23)plead their case to referee Josh Tiven (58) in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23)plead their case to referee Josh Tiven (58) in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The 2016 NBA finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors is regarded as one of the best Finals series ever. LeBron James and the Cavs came back from a 3-1 deficit to clinch the title.
However, it had its fair share of controversial moments. For instance, Warriors star Draymond Green committed a bad foul on LeBron. Subsequently, he was suspended from a crucial game that helped the Cavs make a comeback.
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Draymond is one of the most important players for the Warriors and in game five of the 2016 Finals, his absence on the court hurt his team significantly. During the previous game, he punched LeBron in the groin area after James tried to step over him.
]The officials took cognizance of Green’s foul play and he was penalized after the match. LeBron James was issued a technical foul while Green received his fourth flagrant foul of the series which suspended him from Game five. Talking about the incident, the Golden State Warriors star issued his thoughts.
“I take that on the chin. I cost us a championship,” Green said on a podcast. “Would I do it again? One thousand percent. If somebody try to step over me, I’m going to hit them.”
A passionate and dedicated basketball warrior, Green clearly felt LeBron’s action was disrespectful to him. As a result, he doesn’t regret his decision. And wouldn’t hesitate to repeat it if required.
Green and the Warriors got their revenge on LeBron James very soon
Despite the heartbreak the Warriors and Stephen Curry faced in 2016, they bounced back soon. The very next season, they faced a familiar rival in the NBA Finals. It was none other than the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Dubs dominated from the start of the series and won it 4-1 with Kevin Durant winning the Finals MVP award. It was again a familiar sighting in the 2018 NBA finals.
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Injured Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, smiles while talking with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Although the Cavs had a historic run to the finals, they just could not contain the Warriors. The Dubs clinched the 2018 NBA title after winning the finals 4-0.
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What do you think of Draymond Green’s remarks on the incident? Let us know in the comments down below.
