Draymond Green avoided a suspension after kicking Steven Adam’s in the groin. What does it mean for him and the Warriors?
The NBA Playoffs have drama. A lot of it. That’s what makes them so special.
In Game 2, Draymond Green tried to draw a foul on Steve Adams and kicked the Thunder big man in the groin. He was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul. Following the Warriors loss, the basketball world waited to see if the league would punish him further.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers’ Dahntay Jones earned himself a one game suspension for punching the Raptors’ Bismack Biyombo in the groin in the final seconds of Game 3. The NBA determined that this action was much different than Green’s as the Warriors’ All-Star’s motion was at least “natural.”
His flagrant foul was upgraded and he was assessed a fine of $25,000. Kiki VanDeWaghe, Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations, said “after a thorough investigation of that included review of all available video angles and interviews, we have determined Green’s foul was unnecessary and excessive and warranted the upgrade and fine.” He also admitted that players flail their legs sometimes after contact in order to sell a call.
So Green will play in Game 4. What does his non-suspension mean?
Well, first, that Green will play in Game 4. The Warriors will have their second best player available in the biggest game of the season.
But this ruling should mean so much more to Golden State. It’s new life. Down 2-1 to an Oklahoma City team that is showing no signs of backing down, the Warriors have their backs against the wall. Their title defense, 73 win season, and legacy are all on the line. Coming back from a 3-1 deficit isn’t impossible, but it’s about as close to impossible as you can get as long as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are suiting up on the other side.
It’s hard to say that a defending champion team that won 73 games and has a 2x MVP needs any breaks, but this could be the break that the Warriors needed this postseason. Stephen Curry has dealt with injuries for nearly the entire postseason. Golden State has had some poor officiating crews (you know who I’m talking about). Opponents have gotten production out of unlikely places. The Warriors have gotten everybody’s best all season long so perhaps the ball is finally bouncing in their favor.
That’s not to say the Warriors are owed anything or can only win with external help. The fact of the matter is that winning a championship is very difficult and there’s something special about feeling like you avoided disaster. There’s a self-awareness that arises, an understanding that “we’re not invincible.” Sometimes life needs to slap you a little bit before you realize that you need to get it together.
The stakes have never been higher for the Warriors. Tonight’s game, though not series-ending, will determine how this 73-win team will be looked back at years from now. The Warriors’ biggest opponent has always been themselves. They get complacent, they let their emotions get the best of them, and they beat themselves.
The NBA’s decision to not suspend Green is the Warriors’ one “get out of jail free” card. Now it’s up to them to make the most of it, to capitalize on a beneficial opportunity. That’s what the great teams do and I’m not inclined to believe that this team is anything but great.
It’s also up to him to prove that he’s one of the best players in the world. He’s had an uncharacteristically poor series. At times, it’s looked like he’s tried to do too much, forcing plays when they aren’t there. While the officiating has been poor, as a leader of this team, Green needs to stay composed. He can’t afford another flagrant foul because the upgrade now leaves him one point away from a suspension. He needs to get back to being who he is and playing smart basketball.
The Warriors know what’s on the line. And they know how easily everything can be taken from you as Green’s fate hung in the balance. They need to use this and play the type of game that won them a championship and earned them the greatest regular season record in history.