The Golden State Warriors’ hopes of sealing their second title in as many years withing five games of the NBA Finals took a severe hit when the association retroactively deemed Draymond Green’s swipe at LeBron James’ groin region to be worthy of a flagrant 1 foul. That automatically made the All-Star ineligible for the game as he collected four flagrant foul points this post-season.
Green who is arguably the team’s most important player has been in the eye of a storm in recent times. In the Wester Conference finals, he had trouble controlling his appendages and came under heavy storm when his right foot inexplicably made contact with Steven Adam’s groin region for which he was lucky to be given a flagrant-1 foul.
The Warriors who are currently leading the Finals three games to one, were practicing when the news came through. Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Warriors who had to deliver the news to Green on Sunday said Green was disappointed with the decision.
Meanwhile, Klay Thompson, the Warriors’ all-star shooting guard also empathized with the forward, saying “We know it’s going to kill him not being there, but we’re going to go out there and do it as a team and win for him.”
In the finals, Green is averaging 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists while playing more than 38 minutes a game. However, the power forward’s importance can hardly be put down in stats. Green toughness in the painted area alongside his dexterity in the passing game helps the Warriors play a small-ball line-up which has been devastating in the last couple of years. Thus, the importance of his absence is difficult to overstate.
Andrew Bogut meanwhile, went a step further saying that he felt that the Cavaliers had lobbied for Green’s suspension. “Pull out a Ping-Pong ball and make a decision,” the Australian said. “They made a decision, which was an interesting one.”
The altercation occurred when LeBron James pushed Draymond Green to the ground and stepped over him after the “King” felt offended by something Green had said to him, Reacting to James’ push by taking a swipe at the Cavaliers’ stalwart’s nether regions.
LeBron James was also issued a flagrant 1 foul for taunting. However, the decision to suspend Green from Game Five has seen the basketball fraternity split in their opinions.
Guess the Lakers players!
