Ah, the NBA Finals, where we are busy speaking about suspensions and stepovers instead of basketball. In case you have not been paying attention, the focus of this entire series has shifted from the play on the court to an incident that occurred during game four of the series. After being tangled up, Cavs’ forward LeBron James stepped over Warriors forward Draymond Green, who apparently felt disrespected and swiped at James’ groin, intentionally or not. All hell broke loose.
Since then, the NBA has retroactively awarded James a technical foul and Green a flagrant one. The added flagrant foul brought Green to the postseason limit, meaning he will be suspended for game five, potentially the series-clinching win for the Warriors at home.
Green’s suspension has become the subject of controversy and much discussion, even before it became official. But while fans and media speak about whether or not the decision was the correct one, the Warriors have turned their focus onto something else: James’ role in the whole situation.
Following from ESPN’s Ethan Strauss:
From the Golden State perspective, James decided to target Green at a moment when Game 4 was over in all but technicality. Perhaps James had no designs on Green’s flagrant-foul points, but it’s easy and practical to believe the worst of your enemies.
This isn’t the only instance of the Dubs being critical of James’ actions. Klay Thompson publicly denounced LeBron’s reaction to Green allegedly calling him a certain b word. Mo Speights has tweeted milk bottle emojis. Hell, even Kevin Love has spoken about James being disrespectful in stepping over Green.
The whole situation is a strange one. It would make sense that LeBron tried to get Draymond suspended by instigating a reaction. Green’s actions in the playoffs (notably when he kicked Steven Adams in the groin) are well-known and there is no way the Cavs were unaware that he was on flagrant foul away from suspension.
At the same time, the onus is on Draymond Green to behave after knowing he was so close to a suspension. The Warriors forward is gaining a reputation as a dirty player, if he has not already earned the title, and the reputation itself will lead to more similar punishments. Green is a crucial part of this Warriors team and may have been the front runner for the Finals MVP if he had not been suspended. More importantly, not seeing the Warriors most versatile player may be the catalyst the Cavs need to win a game on the road and get back into this series. Whether or not LeBron James baited the league into suspending Green is irrelevant; he was the one who could not control himself.
