Before game four of the 2017 NBA Finals, Draymond Green was openly declaring that the Golden State Warriors want to close the series out on the Cleveland Cavaliers home court. It was an open shot sent to the Cavs and a team down 3-0, with nothing left to lose, put it all on the line in the potential series finale.
Kyrie Irving exploded for 40 points, LeBron James put up a 31 point triple-double and Kevin Love scored 23 points. They also got some solid contributions from J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson and Richard Jefferson as they won game four and lived to fight another day. The Warriors went through a tough and gritty game, a far cry from the flashy style that was game three.
But the motivation behind the Cavs strong showing was possibly due to more than just being down 3-0. According to three Cavs starters the words and comments from the Warriors, in particular, Draymond Green, motivated them to another level.
Kyrie Irving got the night started during postgame press conferences by saying the Cavs used the Warriors trash talk as extra motivation.
Kyrie Irving talks about the 'chatter' from the Warriors: "That taste wouldn't have #been the same if they celebrated on our home floor" pic.twitter.com/WrR2d5QsTO
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 10, 2017
Meanwhile, at almost the same time, Tristan Thompson opened up about not backing down from the words thrown at him. He declared that ‘you ain’t about to punk Tristan Thompson’.
"You ain't about to punk us…not me. Sh*t. You ain't about to punk Tristan Thompson" ? pic.twitter.com/7NMziBUcwe
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 10, 2017
And finally, LeBron James says he heard that the main culprit for the ‘chatter’ was indeed Draymond Green.
LeBron James says the #Cavs heard the #Warriors were talking about a potential sweep in Cleveland. Says he heard it was Draymond Green ? pic.twitter.com/qeMXwcmcOS
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 10, 2017
