Draymond Green, as you probably know, missed Game 5 of the NBA Finals due to a suspension from an accumulation of flagrant fouls, some of which were low-blow related. So interested in the saga of Green was the basketball world that the fact he was watching the game in a suite at the Oakland A’s stadium was chronicled in great detail, and he even got an enthusiastic “MVP!” chant upon exiting the restroom.
Without Green, the Golden State Warriors were beaten by the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by the one-two punch of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. As such, the series continues, and Green has some thoughts about that.
Draymond today: 'I have strong belief that if I play Gm 5, we win Gm 5.'
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) June 15, 2016
Draymond on watching Gm 5 from baseball stadium: 'One of the weirdest things ever . . . It was brutal.'
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) June 15, 2016
This quote should not be surprising to anybody. Of course Green believes his team would have won with him on the court. He’s a professional basketball player. Had James Michael McAdoo been the one suspended, he probably would have said something similar.
The question, though, is whether or not this is true. Nobody can truly know the answer to that, although it’s safe to say Green’s absence hindered the Warriors. He’s one of the NBA’s best players, an All-Star and All-NBA player. Additionally, his defensive prowess was surely missed in a game where James and Irving both went nuts.
If Green can keep himself on the court, he will have a chance to prove that he’s a difference maker capable of carrying his team to a title. We’ll see if he can do it on Thursday night.
