Through three games of the Western Conference finals, the Warriors are down 2-1 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and fresh off a Game 3 beat down, are facing their most serious challenge since becoming a super team a little more than a year ago. What matters for the Warriors is Green was very bad in Game 3 – 1-of-9 shooting with four turnovers on offense, and his rotations and rim protection were a slow on defense.
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Green was driving to the basket against Adams when Green stopped and lifted his leg, causing him to kick Adams in the groin.
After the game Sunday, Westbrook claimed he felt the kick was intentional, recalling Green kneed Adams below the belt in Game 2. Luckily for the Warriors, the league declared that there was no malice intent on Green’s part and therefore didn’t warrant a suspension.
As it happens, Adams, a 2013 lottery pick, is the guy with the track record of inciting violence in his brief National Basketball Association career.
Westbrook wasn’t thrilled with Green’s comments, calling Green’s foul on the 3-pointer a “dumb play on his part”.
However, the league instead made a decision to fine Green US$25,000 (S$34,500) after reviewing the play and upgrading his foul. But you caught him in the groin area so I have to give you a Flagrant.’ I didn’t argue it or nothing.
Sure, Oklahoma City have Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, the latter of whom is quietly putting together his best-ever postseason. I dont know how to flop. “This stuff happens all the time”.
“I think we’re still in a good position, believe it or not”, said Thompson.
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“I see how somebody can think it was intentional, but yet nobody can go in my head and say, ‘Draymond was thinking about kicking him, and he kicked him, ‘ ” Green said before the league’s announcement. “I knew the league was going to let him play or upgrade him to a Flagrant 2”. When things arent looking great, he usually plays his best.. “I’m just going to be me and the game will play out the way it will play out”. In Game 3, the defending champs look completely out of sync, rattled by the Thunders’ pace and shot-making. One more will force him to miss Golden State’s next game. The Warriors were outscored by 43 points when he was in the game. I’m not trying to kick somebody in the midsection. Golden State’s “death lineup” was -22, and Steve Kerr was right in saying that lineup (and the starters in general) tried to isolate against defensive mismatches rather than keeping the ball moving, they settled for quick shots, and the Warriors offense stagnated. But I love boos. “Like I said last night, I thought it was going to be rescinded, not facing a (possible) suspension”. Green was named to the All-Star team this season and averaged 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists during the regular season.
