Draymond appears to strike LeBron in groin, could face suspension
By most metrics, Golden State Warriors All-Star Draymond Green had an excellent Game 4 of the NBA Finals vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers, balancing a relatively poor 2-of-9 shooting night with 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, two steals, and tremendous defense to open up a 3-1 advantage in the series. However, an altercation with LeBron James in the fourth quarter could bring a review from the league and put Green’s availability at risk for Monday’s potential clincher in Oakland.
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Yes, Green now finds himself at the center of a groin-related controversy yet another time this postseason. With fewer than three minutes remaining in regulation and the Warriors in command up 96-86, Green and James became tangled while setting and covering (respectively) a screen for Stephen Curry. Green appeared to start the incident with a swipe at James, after which LeBron retaliated with a stronger flail of his arm and stepover after Draymond fell to the ground. The two All-NBA forwards then continued their discussion through the possession, which ended with double fouls and jump ball won by the Cavs. Take a look here:
The incident seemed over and perhaps more about LeBron’s frustration with the loss and Draymond’s pest-like play than anything else. Look at the play a little closer, though, and you can see Green’s arm come up towards James’s crotch as he steps over and towards the basket. Here’s a good view of it:
Green’s action would not be so attention-grabbing if not for his history in these playoffs. Golden State’s vocal leader courted controversy in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals when he kicked Steven Adams in same area. That play was initially called for a flagrant-1 on the floor and upgraded to a flagrant-2 the next day upon league review, a decision that brought punishment to Green without affecting the outcome of the series. It didn’t end up mattering — the Warriors got blown out again in Game 4 — but it did put Green in the precarious position of having to avoid a flagrant foul the rest of the postseason to avoid a one-game suspension for flagrant point accumulation.
That situation means any league review that ends in a Green flagrant will keep him out of Game 5. The league could attempt to issue a lesser punishment again and assess the play as a technical — where Draymond has more wiggle room — but this incident should be looked at as a potential flagrant if it’s reviewed at all.
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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
