From 2015 to 2018, Draymond Green and LeBron James battled hard for their respective teams, the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. The rivalry between the two teams was considered the biggest and most intense since the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics in the 80s.
NBA Insider Chris Haynes worked at ESPN as a beat writer for the Cavaliers starting with James’ return to Cleveland in 2014. When the Dubs acquired Kevin Durant in the summer of 2016, Haynes was asked to cover for the Warriors.
Here’s what Haynes had to say about his first exchange with Green, Golden State’s vocal leader, after the reporter started talking about the Warriors:
(:40 Mark)
“I developed these relationships with LeBron with the Cavs [James] And all of them for those two years. Then, I go to the Warriors and try to do the same thing. … so I don’t want to take it. … I said, 'How can they convince me?’
“I’m going to the locker room for the Warriors for the first time. Draymond said, 'I don’t believe you, bro.’ I thought he was playing. 'What do you mean you don’t believe me?’ He said, 'You’re a Cavs spy. LeBron will have you sit here to spy on us. Imma make sure we are not messing with you and no one should talk to you. He died, Bro.
In 2015, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the biggest upset in sports history. He and Kyrie Irving led the Cavs to the championship after falling behind 3-1 to the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
James won the NBA Finals MVP while Irving drained the dagger shot of the series that has become iconic in Finals lore. Draymond Green’s suspension in Game 5 is still considered by many to be the turning point of the series.
Draymond Green tried to redeem himself in a nail-biting Game 7 matchup, but couldn’t hold off LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers’ charge. The following season, the Golden State Warriors added Kevin Durant.
LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers Have No Chance Against Kevin Durant-Reinforced Golden State Warriors
Once Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors and played alongside Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, every matchup was in dire straits. Durant’s decision to leave Russell Westbrook and the OKC Thunder for the Bay Area shifted the balance of power to the Warriors.
LeBron James valiantly tried to beat the Dubs in two straight NBA Finals appearances, but couldn’t do it. „King James” won 2018 after losing 4-1 in 2017. Only injuries to KD and Thompson in 2019 prevented a three-peat when the Warriors lost to Kawhi Leonard’s Toronto Raptors.
James left Cleveland after leading the Cavs to the Finals for four years to play for the LA Lakers. He will replace Kevin Durant and face the Warriors again in 2023. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer got his revenge when the Lakers took home-court advantage from the Warriors and won the series.
edited by
Michael Macassero