1 00:00:03,789 --> 00:00:12,108 Speaker 1: Dubbed Dynasty as a production of iHeartMedia and the NBA. 2 00:00:13,029 --> 00:00:20,989 Speaker 2: Drayvon Green drives ahead finishers nicely three long break, Etchcott, 3 00:00:21,509 --> 00:00:29,549 Speaker 2: cracking on great from forty down, chow ravon Green, Oh 4 00:00:29,909 --> 00:00:32,869 Speaker 2: brain down for another, He's got thirty seven. 5 00:00:34,909 --> 00:00:37,949 Speaker 1: Those were some of Draymond Green's better moments from Game 6 00:00:38,069 --> 00:00:41,749 Speaker 1: three in a twenty sixteen second round series against the 7 00:00:41,829 --> 00:00:45,829 Speaker 1: Portland Trailblazers. Pick any catch all advanced stat and it 8 00:00:45,869 --> 00:00:49,269 Speaker 1: would likely list this game as the second best playoff 9 00:00:49,309 --> 00:00:55,629 Speaker 1: game of Green's career, Thus far minor issue though Golden 10 00:00:55,669 --> 00:00:59,749 Speaker 1: State lost that game. I'm Israel Gutierrez and this is 11 00:00:59,829 --> 00:01:13,988 Speaker 1: dubbed Dynasty. Draymond finished that Game three with a playoff 12 00:01:14,029 --> 00:01:19,068 Speaker 1: career high thirty seven points, including eight three pointers, nine rebounds, 13 00:01:19,309 --> 00:01:24,068 Speaker 1: eight assists, a steal, and a block. It was a 14 00:01:24,109 --> 00:01:26,669 Speaker 1: game without Steph Kirk, who was recovering from his sprain 15 00:01:26,788 --> 00:01:30,548 Speaker 1: knee suffered one series earlier. Despite it being the only 16 00:01:30,589 --> 00:01:34,029 Speaker 1: loss in the series, Green put on display why he's 17 00:01:34,109 --> 00:01:38,749 Speaker 1: more than just the relentless defensive minded soul of the team. 18 00:01:39,029 --> 00:01:43,588 Speaker 1: His best career playoff game also came this twenty sixteen postseason. 19 00:01:44,509 --> 00:01:49,229 Speaker 1: It would also come to loss, a much more meaningful loss, 20 00:01:49,788 --> 00:01:53,148 Speaker 1: not just for the twenty sixteen playoffs, but for the 21 00:01:53,189 --> 00:01:57,389 Speaker 1: course of NBA history. It would be Draymond's summoning all 22 00:01:57,428 --> 00:02:01,229 Speaker 1: of his powers to help his team overcome what had 23 00:02:01,309 --> 00:02:04,588 Speaker 1: been the most costly mistake of his NBA career. 24 00:02:08,429 --> 00:02:10,869 Speaker 3: Well, the thing with Draymond is that he's the ultimate 25 00:02:11,149 --> 00:02:18,189 Speaker 3: competitor and winner, and he's loyal. And I will go 26 00:02:18,508 --> 00:02:20,989 Speaker 3: to war with that guy forever. I mean, I just 27 00:02:21,189 --> 00:02:25,229 Speaker 3: I will I do. That's how much I believe in him. 28 00:02:26,388 --> 00:02:30,229 Speaker 3: But with that passion, with that edge that he carries, 29 00:02:30,269 --> 00:02:35,868 Speaker 3: that chip on his shoulder, comes a fury inside of him. 30 00:02:35,909 --> 00:02:38,829 Speaker 1: Steve Kerr would know best about how Green channels that 31 00:02:38,869 --> 00:02:43,149 Speaker 1: anger into outstanding performances. Draymond was about to do that 32 00:02:43,269 --> 00:02:47,869 Speaker 1: once again on the NBA Final stage. Last we left you, 33 00:02:48,388 --> 00:02:51,029 Speaker 1: The Warriors and Cavaliers were about to engage in their 34 00:02:51,108 --> 00:02:54,989 Speaker 1: second straight NBA Finals, a much anticipated series where the 35 00:02:55,029 --> 00:02:58,069 Speaker 1: Warriors look to close out the best season in league history, 36 00:02:58,349 --> 00:03:01,549 Speaker 1: while the Cavaliers were looking to avenge the twenty fifteen 37 00:03:01,629 --> 00:03:05,268 Speaker 1: Finals loss and bring the first pro sports championship to 38 00:03:05,309 --> 00:03:07,429 Speaker 1: Cleveland in fifty two years. 39 00:03:10,189 --> 00:03:14,108 Speaker 4: Seventy three wins taking their place in the endows of 40 00:03:14,149 --> 00:03:15,388 Speaker 4: the NBA well, the. 41 00:03:15,349 --> 00:03:21,229 Speaker 1: Greatest regular season r time. If there was going to 42 00:03:21,269 --> 00:03:24,469 Speaker 1: be a foil to this Golden State Dream season, it 43 00:03:24,469 --> 00:03:27,069 Speaker 1: would have to be the two time champion and four 44 00:03:27,108 --> 00:03:28,909 Speaker 1: time MVP Lebron James. 45 00:03:30,069 --> 00:03:32,709 Speaker 5: Deep down, it was only right there we got an 46 00:03:32,709 --> 00:03:35,229 Speaker 5: opportunity to play coach State after wave the last year. 47 00:03:36,629 --> 00:03:39,749 Speaker 5: Me personally, I wanted to see go State again. 48 00:03:43,629 --> 00:03:46,989 Speaker 1: As Rachel Nichols explains, the Warriors had to go through 49 00:03:47,029 --> 00:03:50,029 Speaker 1: the final boss if they were going to stake their 50 00:03:50,029 --> 00:03:51,429 Speaker 1: claim to NBA history. 51 00:03:51,829 --> 00:03:54,269 Speaker 6: I think, especially as they were going along the twenty 52 00:03:54,309 --> 00:03:57,629 Speaker 6: sixteen season, it became clear that they were on a 53 00:03:57,709 --> 00:04:00,269 Speaker 6: pace to, if not set, at least come close to 54 00:04:00,309 --> 00:04:03,309 Speaker 6: and ultimately they did set that win record. I think 55 00:04:03,309 --> 00:04:05,229 Speaker 6: there was a feeling, Man, this team is rolling. This 56 00:04:05,269 --> 00:04:08,269 Speaker 6: is incredible. Step feels unstoppable. They don't even need to 57 00:04:08,309 --> 00:04:11,709 Speaker 6: coach X y Z. But until you play Lebron James 58 00:04:11,749 --> 00:04:14,749 Speaker 6: in the NBA Finals with his full team, I don't 59 00:04:14,749 --> 00:04:18,389 Speaker 6: think anyone thinks they're rolling at that point. Lebron was 60 00:04:18,389 --> 00:04:21,389 Speaker 6: the only conversation happening in the NBA when you got 61 00:04:21,389 --> 00:04:23,709 Speaker 6: to who's the best player overall. Sure, we might have 62 00:04:23,748 --> 00:04:26,949 Speaker 6: other MVPs, but you know the old Bill Simmons, the 63 00:04:26,988 --> 00:04:28,629 Speaker 6: Aliens came to Arke and said, you had to play 64 00:04:28,629 --> 00:04:31,669 Speaker 6: a basketball game to save the planet. Who's your first pick? 65 00:04:31,789 --> 00:04:33,949 Speaker 6: At that point, it was still Lebron James. For people, 66 00:04:34,029 --> 00:04:35,749 Speaker 6: it was still this is the best player. We all 67 00:04:35,789 --> 00:04:37,469 Speaker 6: know he's the best player. So the fact that the 68 00:04:37,509 --> 00:04:40,109 Speaker 6: best player by consensus that people had at the time, 69 00:04:40,149 --> 00:04:43,388 Speaker 6: the most dominant, the most physically gifted player in the 70 00:04:43,469 --> 00:04:46,388 Speaker 6: league in a stretch where a guy already at that 71 00:04:46,469 --> 00:04:48,469 Speaker 6: point we were saying, is Lebron going to be better 72 00:04:48,469 --> 00:04:49,828 Speaker 6: than Michael Jordan? Is he going to go down in 73 00:04:49,909 --> 00:04:51,269 Speaker 6: history as the number one player. 74 00:04:50,988 --> 00:04:51,509 Speaker 7: Of all time? 75 00:04:51,629 --> 00:04:53,949 Speaker 6: The fact that that guy was not on the Warriors 76 00:04:53,949 --> 00:04:56,749 Speaker 6: team made the fact that even though the Warriors were 77 00:04:56,748 --> 00:04:59,308 Speaker 6: winning at a historic pace, it did not feel, at 78 00:04:59,349 --> 00:05:01,748 Speaker 6: least to me inevitable that they were just going to 79 00:05:01,748 --> 00:05:04,429 Speaker 6: go win another title. I want to see it, man, 80 00:05:04,469 --> 00:05:06,428 Speaker 6: I wanted to see the Royal Rumble. And I was 81 00:05:06,428 --> 00:05:08,109 Speaker 6: so excited when we got eight in the finals in 82 00:05:08,149 --> 00:05:10,789 Speaker 6: twenty sixteen because that's what it felt like. It felt like, Okay, 83 00:05:10,949 --> 00:05:14,868 Speaker 6: lebronze teams at full strength, this Warriors team is record setting, historic. 84 00:05:15,189 --> 00:05:18,068 Speaker 6: Stepcourry is playing like we've never seen before. He's shooting 85 00:05:18,109 --> 00:05:20,829 Speaker 6: threes from the locker room, and here we go. 86 00:05:23,229 --> 00:05:26,269 Speaker 1: Here we go, with a lot of help from Kevin Love, 87 00:05:26,988 --> 00:05:29,989 Speaker 1: the Cavaliers forward had missed the previous finals with a 88 00:05:30,029 --> 00:05:33,109 Speaker 1: shoulder injury, but he was familiar with the Warriors just 89 00:05:33,149 --> 00:05:37,308 Speaker 1: from watching in twenty fifteen. This time, he'd play his part. 90 00:05:37,709 --> 00:05:40,189 Speaker 8: We were well versed in what they were trying to 91 00:05:40,189 --> 00:05:42,909 Speaker 8: do on both sides of the ball. And at the 92 00:05:42,949 --> 00:05:45,229 Speaker 8: same time, I know they had Steph who was the 93 00:05:45,349 --> 00:05:47,869 Speaker 8: unanimous MVP that year, but we felt like we had 94 00:05:47,868 --> 00:05:49,629 Speaker 8: the best player in the game that could lead us 95 00:05:49,669 --> 00:05:52,469 Speaker 8: to the Promised Land, and so we felt very comfortable 96 00:05:52,469 --> 00:05:55,909 Speaker 8: and confident coming out. But again in those first four games, 97 00:05:55,988 --> 00:05:58,028 Speaker 8: it didn't go in our direction for a number of reasons, 98 00:05:58,069 --> 00:06:00,628 Speaker 8: and it was because they were historically great. 99 00:06:01,589 --> 00:06:05,269 Speaker 2: The Warriors have six players double figures, and Carrie and 100 00:06:05,349 --> 00:06:08,269 Speaker 2: Thompson are not those Squivingston. 101 00:06:08,349 --> 00:06:14,949 Speaker 1: Again, it was Sean Livingston who led the Warriors in 102 00:06:15,029 --> 00:06:17,829 Speaker 1: scoring in that game one with twenty, but six other 103 00:06:17,868 --> 00:06:21,789 Speaker 1: Warriors also scored in double figures. That included Draymond Green 104 00:06:22,109 --> 00:06:26,428 Speaker 1: with sixteen. Points, eleven rebounds, seven assists, four steals and 105 00:06:26,469 --> 00:06:27,229 Speaker 1: a block shot. 106 00:06:28,469 --> 00:06:32,188 Speaker 2: I speeded side with Draymond Green all the. 107 00:06:32,229 --> 00:06:33,268 Speaker 9: Pants for like a dollar. 108 00:06:33,868 --> 00:06:36,949 Speaker 1: The Warriors outscored the Caps by seventeen points. When Green 109 00:06:37,069 --> 00:06:39,988 Speaker 1: was on the floor, No other starter had a plus 110 00:06:39,988 --> 00:06:43,748 Speaker 1: minus better than seven. The Splash Brothers barely made a 111 00:06:43,789 --> 00:06:45,869 Speaker 1: ripple with twenty points combined. 112 00:06:46,868 --> 00:06:50,589 Speaker 2: Warriors take Game one, Curtesy out there, betch. 113 00:06:52,308 --> 00:06:56,269 Speaker 1: Game two might have been even stranger. Lebron had nineteen 114 00:06:56,349 --> 00:07:00,349 Speaker 1: points and seven turnovers, Kyrie Irving added just ten, and 115 00:07:00,389 --> 00:07:03,349 Speaker 1: the Cavaliers as a whole shot thirty five percent from 116 00:07:03,349 --> 00:07:03,868 Speaker 1: the field. 117 00:07:04,589 --> 00:07:07,268 Speaker 9: Now the Warriors have set a new NBA record. 118 00:07:07,709 --> 00:07:10,669 Speaker 2: They have outscored the Cavaliers life forty eight in the 119 00:07:10,709 --> 00:07:11,469 Speaker 2: first two. 120 00:07:12,789 --> 00:07:15,269 Speaker 1: A lot of that was due to Draymond who also 121 00:07:15,349 --> 00:07:17,549 Speaker 1: led the Warriors in scoring in this game with twenty eight, 122 00:07:17,709 --> 00:07:21,629 Speaker 1: including five more threes. Kevin Love suffered a concussion in 123 00:07:21,669 --> 00:07:23,828 Speaker 1: that game too, keeping him out of the next game, 124 00:07:24,829 --> 00:07:27,749 Speaker 1: but the Cavaliers didn't seem to miss him, with Richard 125 00:07:27,829 --> 00:07:31,469 Speaker 1: Jefferson stepping in and playing thirty three minutes and Cleveland 126 00:07:31,589 --> 00:07:33,029 Speaker 1: running away by thirty. 127 00:07:33,429 --> 00:07:35,869 Speaker 10: Hey, that will do it. 128 00:07:36,149 --> 00:07:39,429 Speaker 11: The Cavaliers playing Game three by thirty points. 129 00:07:41,269 --> 00:07:44,309 Speaker 1: They'd been undefeated at home in the postseason to this point, 130 00:07:44,429 --> 00:07:48,069 Speaker 1: so it was no surprise Cleveland rebound in Game four, 131 00:07:48,109 --> 00:07:54,029 Speaker 1: though finally Curry erupted. After averaging just sixteen through the 132 00:07:54,069 --> 00:07:57,989 Speaker 1: first three games, Steph had thirty eight, twenty four of 133 00:07:58,029 --> 00:07:59,309 Speaker 1: those coming in the second half. 134 00:08:01,229 --> 00:08:03,829 Speaker 2: Shot buck up seventh Curry fakes poked up a great 135 00:08:04,149 --> 00:08:13,749 Speaker 2: sorry Jefford Curry from downtown at the ten point games. 136 00:08:11,989 --> 00:08:15,349 Speaker 1: And with just under three minutes left, the Warriors were 137 00:08:15,349 --> 00:08:20,708 Speaker 1: effectively coasting up ten and with possession, possession of the basketball, 138 00:08:20,829 --> 00:08:23,629 Speaker 1: but also possession of the series, on the way to 139 00:08:23,749 --> 00:08:27,149 Speaker 1: leading three games to one. Teams holding that lead in 140 00:08:27,189 --> 00:08:29,989 Speaker 1: a seven game series go on to win it ninety 141 00:08:30,069 --> 00:08:33,389 Speaker 1: five percent of the time in NBA history, but with 142 00:08:33,629 --> 00:08:37,069 Speaker 1: just under three minutes for me, an exchange between Lebron 143 00:08:37,149 --> 00:08:41,149 Speaker 1: James and Draymond Green would provide the ultimate UNO reverse 144 00:08:41,229 --> 00:08:42,109 Speaker 1: card for the series. 145 00:08:45,429 --> 00:08:48,189 Speaker 2: Green and James joying at each other wall play for 146 00:08:48,309 --> 00:08:51,989 Speaker 2: ten years the Gazala to pull off that at a 147 00:08:52,029 --> 00:08:53,509 Speaker 2: double Bowl, It's gonna be called. 148 00:08:54,829 --> 00:08:57,469 Speaker 1: After setting a screen on James and getting tangled up 149 00:08:57,469 --> 00:08:59,109 Speaker 1: with him at the top of the three point arc, 150 00:08:59,509 --> 00:09:02,069 Speaker 1: Green fell to the floor in an attempt to get 151 00:09:02,069 --> 00:09:05,989 Speaker 1: back into the play, James stepped over Green. You could 152 00:09:06,069 --> 00:09:08,949 Speaker 1: say it was an unnecessary path for Lebron, given how 153 00:09:08,989 --> 00:09:11,669 Speaker 1: easily he could have stepped around Green, and in the 154 00:09:11,829 --> 00:09:16,509 Speaker 1: NBA Finals in particular, the stepover summons an iconic level 155 00:09:16,549 --> 00:09:20,869 Speaker 1: of disrespect, famously or infamously if you're a Lakers fan. 156 00:09:21,349 --> 00:09:24,349 Speaker 1: Alan Iverson stepped over Tyron Lu during the two thousand 157 00:09:24,349 --> 00:09:28,549 Speaker 1: and one finals after hitting a shot father by. 158 00:09:28,549 --> 00:09:36,789 Speaker 11: Lou How about that steps Toronto. 159 00:09:40,629 --> 00:09:44,189 Speaker 1: With Lou now watching as the Cavaliers head coach Draymond 160 00:09:44,309 --> 00:09:46,829 Speaker 1: was not about to let that type of disrespect fly 161 00:09:47,069 --> 00:09:50,429 Speaker 1: without retaliation, so he swiped up with his right hand 162 00:09:50,429 --> 00:09:52,269 Speaker 1: as he was attempting to get back on his feet. 163 00:09:53,309 --> 00:09:57,109 Speaker 1: That swipe made contact with Lebron's groin, and a second 164 00:09:57,109 --> 00:10:00,909 Speaker 1: backhanded swing in James's direction missed and tired. James and 165 00:10:00,949 --> 00:10:04,509 Speaker 1: Green had to be separated afterwards, as Green was letting 166 00:10:04,509 --> 00:10:06,349 Speaker 1: his feelings about James be known. 167 00:10:08,149 --> 00:10:10,909 Speaker 2: Green and James joying at each other, walk place to 168 00:10:11,029 --> 00:10:12,189 Speaker 2: tenures like a dollar. 169 00:10:12,269 --> 00:10:13,349 Speaker 4: The pull off that one. 170 00:10:13,309 --> 00:10:17,389 Speaker 2: Goal and a double fowls gonna be called channing cry. 171 00:10:17,429 --> 00:10:21,909 Speaker 2: Getting in between Lebron James of six. Green starting to 172 00:10:21,949 --> 00:10:29,829 Speaker 2: walk away, and he does four words. Remember Raymond, Green's 173 00:10:29,909 --> 00:10:33,789 Speaker 2: one flagrant foul and two technicals away from being suspended. 174 00:10:38,789 --> 00:10:42,349 Speaker 1: To this point in the postseason, Draymond had already accumulated 175 00:10:42,429 --> 00:10:45,829 Speaker 1: three flagrant fouls. One more and it would mean an 176 00:10:45,829 --> 00:10:49,829 Speaker 1: automatic suspension. One of those three flagrant fouls came in 177 00:10:49,869 --> 00:10:53,269 Speaker 1: the previous series when Green kicked Stephen Adams and the groin. 178 00:10:54,109 --> 00:10:57,669 Speaker 1: Many argued that foul deserved a suspension as well, but 179 00:10:57,829 --> 00:10:58,509 Speaker 1: none King. 180 00:10:59,869 --> 00:11:03,709 Speaker 11: Putting a move on Adams, and here is how come 181 00:11:03,829 --> 00:11:11,029 Speaker 11: down goes out once again. Washed the way, Oh I 182 00:11:11,109 --> 00:11:13,429 Speaker 11: don't follow through on the foot gets you in trouble 183 00:11:13,469 --> 00:11:13,949 Speaker 11: every time. 184 00:11:14,189 --> 00:11:21,389 Speaker 2: That's the second time. But three have let's say, Bronwood 185 00:11:22,269 --> 00:11:25,269 Speaker 2: luck without it. 186 00:11:25,429 --> 00:11:28,349 Speaker 12: You did it in Game two and the officials were 187 00:11:28,389 --> 00:11:29,349 Speaker 12: going to take a look at him. 188 00:11:30,429 --> 00:11:33,869 Speaker 1: The judgment on this foul against Lebron wasn't whether by 189 00:11:33,949 --> 00:11:37,069 Speaker 1: itself it was suspension worthy, but whether or not it 190 00:11:37,189 --> 00:11:39,949 Speaker 1: was a flagrant foul. It was called as much during 191 00:11:39,989 --> 00:11:43,029 Speaker 1: the game and it could have, in theory, been reversed 192 00:11:43,109 --> 00:11:46,629 Speaker 1: between Games four and five by the League office. There 193 00:11:46,749 --> 00:11:51,909 Speaker 1: was no reverse and the suspension stood The Warriors were 194 00:11:51,949 --> 00:11:54,349 Speaker 1: still leading three games to one and were in great 195 00:11:54,429 --> 00:11:58,469 Speaker 1: position to win the series, but after Lebron was literally 196 00:11:58,549 --> 00:12:01,909 Speaker 1: poked by Draymond during the game, Clay Thompson gave the 197 00:12:01,989 --> 00:12:05,189 Speaker 1: bear a figurative on the postgame podium. 198 00:12:06,309 --> 00:12:07,909 Speaker 7: I don't know how the man feels or. 199 00:12:10,469 --> 00:12:15,469 Speaker 13: But obviously people have feelings, and people's feelings get hurt 200 00:12:15,509 --> 00:12:19,349 Speaker 13: even if they're called a bad word. I guess his 201 00:12:19,469 --> 00:12:24,709 Speaker 13: feelings just got hurt. I mean, we've all been called 202 00:12:24,749 --> 00:12:26,789 Speaker 13: plenty of bad words in the basketball court before. 203 00:12:29,149 --> 00:12:31,629 Speaker 1: That message was relayed to James once it was his 204 00:12:31,749 --> 00:12:32,589 Speaker 1: turn on the podium. 205 00:12:34,109 --> 00:12:34,669 Speaker 12: What did you say? 206 00:12:34,709 --> 00:12:37,149 Speaker 5: Clay said, Play said, I guess he just got his 207 00:12:37,229 --> 00:12:37,869 Speaker 5: feelings hurt. 208 00:12:42,669 --> 00:12:43,949 Speaker 12: Oh my goodness. 209 00:12:44,549 --> 00:12:45,869 Speaker 9: The transcript will support that. 210 00:12:51,429 --> 00:12:54,229 Speaker 5: I'm not gonna comment on what Clay said because I 211 00:12:54,309 --> 00:12:58,949 Speaker 5: know where it can go from this sit in. It's 212 00:12:58,949 --> 00:13:01,189 Speaker 5: so hard to take the high road. I've been doing 213 00:13:01,189 --> 00:13:03,269 Speaker 5: it for thirteen years. It's so hard to continue to 214 00:13:03,309 --> 00:13:04,389 Speaker 5: do it, and I'm gonna do it again. 215 00:13:07,869 --> 00:13:10,589 Speaker 1: Quite the drama for a series that appeared over and 216 00:13:10,669 --> 00:13:13,909 Speaker 1: done with. Even if the Warriors were to drop Game 217 00:13:13,989 --> 00:13:17,589 Speaker 1: five without Draymond, there still wouldn't be many people believing 218 00:13:17,629 --> 00:13:20,309 Speaker 1: the Calves can come all the way back, not with 219 00:13:20,429 --> 00:13:23,629 Speaker 1: the potential Game seven in Oracle Arena. The had chances 220 00:13:23,669 --> 00:13:26,709 Speaker 1: of winning this series is zero as far as I'm concerned. 221 00:13:26,989 --> 00:13:29,069 Speaker 5: Everybody is saying that we can't get this done and 222 00:13:29,149 --> 00:13:29,549 Speaker 5: it's over. 223 00:13:30,229 --> 00:13:33,429 Speaker 1: Rachel Nichols was at these finals and she did send 224 00:13:33,549 --> 00:13:36,629 Speaker 1: some belief from the Calves and some doubt from the Warriors. 225 00:13:37,029 --> 00:13:40,549 Speaker 6: So much in the twelve hours after that game ended 226 00:13:40,789 --> 00:13:44,029 Speaker 6: seemed to be hinging on what is the League office 227 00:13:44,069 --> 00:13:46,509 Speaker 6: going to do about Draymond? Would they really suspend him? 228 00:13:46,949 --> 00:13:47,869 Speaker 2: How is this going to go? 229 00:13:48,549 --> 00:13:51,309 Speaker 6: And so much import was put on that, and it 230 00:13:51,509 --> 00:13:54,629 Speaker 6: was such a twenty four hour news environment between sort 231 00:13:54,629 --> 00:13:56,829 Speaker 6: of the way the Internet had sort of changed things 232 00:13:56,949 --> 00:13:58,949 Speaker 6: for us getting news in the news cycle and again 233 00:13:59,069 --> 00:14:01,429 Speaker 6: kind of being the height of NBA Twitter that that 234 00:14:01,869 --> 00:14:05,709 Speaker 6: ball rolling down hill was so heavy that it almost 235 00:14:05,829 --> 00:14:09,589 Speaker 6: became oh, he's not playing, Oh man, now the Cavaliers 236 00:14:09,629 --> 00:14:11,629 Speaker 6: have a shot. And I think there was belief on 237 00:14:11,749 --> 00:14:14,069 Speaker 6: the cab side that they did have a shot, partly 238 00:14:14,109 --> 00:14:16,669 Speaker 6: thanks to that, partly thanks to what Ty and Lebron 239 00:14:16,709 --> 00:14:18,869 Speaker 6: were doing behind the scenes, and I think frankly there 240 00:14:18,949 --> 00:14:20,869 Speaker 6: was a belief on the Warriors side of Oh, we're 241 00:14:20,869 --> 00:14:21,829 Speaker 6: in a little bit of trouble here. 242 00:14:22,189 --> 00:14:25,149 Speaker 1: While Lebron announced to everyone he was taking the high 243 00:14:25,229 --> 00:14:29,149 Speaker 1: road regarding Play's comments, James chose a much more private 244 00:14:29,229 --> 00:14:31,629 Speaker 1: setting to announce to his team the road it would 245 00:14:31,669 --> 00:14:33,989 Speaker 1: take to come back from this three to one deficit. 246 00:14:35,349 --> 00:14:37,989 Speaker 1: On the team bus heading from their team hotel in 247 00:14:38,069 --> 00:14:41,909 Speaker 1: San Francisco to Oracle Arena before Game five, James gave 248 00:14:41,989 --> 00:14:45,309 Speaker 1: a rousing speech that mapped out the path to victory. 249 00:14:45,709 --> 00:14:47,669 Speaker 7: When we were going over the Bay Bridge. 250 00:14:48,149 --> 00:14:50,189 Speaker 8: I just remember being on the back of the bus 251 00:14:50,269 --> 00:14:53,269 Speaker 8: with all our guys and you know, Lebron speaking that 252 00:14:53,629 --> 00:14:56,069 Speaker 8: it's already written. Man, They've opened up the door. They've 253 00:14:56,109 --> 00:14:59,109 Speaker 8: given us more than enough reasons. I see it right now. 254 00:14:59,189 --> 00:15:01,789 Speaker 8: We're going to win Game five. We're not losing at home, 255 00:15:02,069 --> 00:15:05,109 Speaker 8: and like everybody says, too bad Wars Sports. Game seven, 256 00:15:05,829 --> 00:15:07,869 Speaker 8: we felt like anything could happen. 257 00:15:07,949 --> 00:15:08,509 Speaker 7: At that point. 258 00:15:08,589 --> 00:15:10,829 Speaker 8: We just needed to win this game and get it 259 00:15:10,909 --> 00:15:13,229 Speaker 8: back home. We said we're not losing at home, and 260 00:15:13,309 --> 00:15:15,509 Speaker 8: then in game seven, hey, let's roll the dice and 261 00:15:15,629 --> 00:15:16,389 Speaker 8: see what happens. 262 00:15:17,309 --> 00:15:20,349 Speaker 1: It wasn't just motivation that would help the Cavaliers get 263 00:15:20,389 --> 00:15:23,069 Speaker 1: back in this series. The Warriors, after all, would be 264 00:15:23,189 --> 00:15:27,269 Speaker 1: without Draymond Green for Game five, and Draymond wasn't just 265 00:15:27,509 --> 00:15:30,869 Speaker 1: enough play. At this point in his career, Green was 266 00:15:30,909 --> 00:15:33,469 Speaker 1: building a resume to where he could be considered the 267 00:15:33,589 --> 00:15:38,269 Speaker 1: best defensive NBA player ever, and through these first four games, 268 00:15:38,749 --> 00:15:42,429 Speaker 1: he was establishing himself as the likely Finals MVP should 269 00:15:42,469 --> 00:15:45,709 Speaker 1: Golden State close it out. So the Cavaliers had a 270 00:15:45,789 --> 00:15:48,189 Speaker 1: decided edge in Game five without Green on the floor 271 00:15:48,309 --> 00:15:52,589 Speaker 1: to defend James or to protect the paint. Kevin Love 272 00:15:52,669 --> 00:15:56,229 Speaker 1: had the assignment on Green the entire series. He felt 273 00:15:56,269 --> 00:16:00,069 Speaker 1: the flagrant foul and ensuing suspension were warranted, and he 274 00:16:00,149 --> 00:16:03,189 Speaker 1: knew the Cavs would benefit because Green had been giving 275 00:16:03,229 --> 00:16:04,629 Speaker 1: him work all series. 276 00:16:05,429 --> 00:16:10,269 Speaker 8: It's those antics and those you know, whether he's consciously 277 00:16:10,389 --> 00:16:13,229 Speaker 8: or subconsciously doing it, you know, it's obviously just something 278 00:16:13,309 --> 00:16:15,829 Speaker 8: that you know you can't do, So you know, that's 279 00:16:15,909 --> 00:16:16,949 Speaker 8: just it's it's. 280 00:16:16,869 --> 00:16:17,549 Speaker 7: Part of the game. 281 00:16:18,309 --> 00:16:22,069 Speaker 8: There was so much at stake, and whether it was 282 00:16:22,149 --> 00:16:24,669 Speaker 8: the right call or not, it was just the situation 283 00:16:24,789 --> 00:16:26,549 Speaker 8: that we found ourselves in. Like, like I say, I 284 00:16:26,629 --> 00:16:28,749 Speaker 8: was indifferent about it, but I did feel like we 285 00:16:28,869 --> 00:16:31,149 Speaker 8: were going to find our way, and we still had 286 00:16:31,229 --> 00:16:33,309 Speaker 8: that belief system whether he was playing or not. But 287 00:16:33,629 --> 00:16:35,789 Speaker 8: just saying, you know, didn't help us on the other 288 00:16:35,829 --> 00:16:36,669 Speaker 8: side would be alive. 289 00:16:37,509 --> 00:16:40,109 Speaker 1: It's not just the defense that suffers when Green is 290 00:16:40,149 --> 00:16:40,589 Speaker 1: out either. 291 00:16:41,229 --> 00:16:43,189 Speaker 6: You can say all the things you want about Draymond Green, 292 00:16:43,269 --> 00:16:45,349 Speaker 6: but Steph Curry plays better when Draymond Green is in 293 00:16:45,429 --> 00:16:47,829 Speaker 6: the lineup. We have numbers, we have stats, we have 294 00:16:47,909 --> 00:16:50,589 Speaker 6: the emotional weight of watching them together and the eye 295 00:16:50,669 --> 00:16:52,389 Speaker 6: test and all of that, but it's just it is 296 00:16:52,429 --> 00:16:56,389 Speaker 6: an irrefutable fact. Steph plays better when Draymond is next 297 00:16:56,429 --> 00:16:59,229 Speaker 6: to him, and the energy and the bravado of that 298 00:16:59,349 --> 00:17:01,709 Speaker 6: team is different when Draymond Green is on the court. 299 00:17:01,789 --> 00:17:03,949 Speaker 6: And so I think even before they tipped ball in 300 00:17:04,069 --> 00:17:06,949 Speaker 6: Game five, there was a real feeling of oh, things 301 00:17:06,989 --> 00:17:07,749 Speaker 6: are changing here. 302 00:17:08,469 --> 00:17:10,869 Speaker 2: Irving, just twenty four years old, set it over and 303 00:17:10,909 --> 00:17:15,109 Speaker 2: over again. When he's healthy, a sensational offensive talent nearly 304 00:17:15,269 --> 00:17:17,949 Speaker 2: falls drives now spins back to fall away shot. 305 00:17:18,029 --> 00:17:18,629 Speaker 7: It's good. 306 00:17:20,309 --> 00:17:22,949 Speaker 2: Games against rush Leans in trying to draw the foul 307 00:17:23,069 --> 00:17:25,909 Speaker 2: got him up count it handle one forty points for 308 00:17:26,029 --> 00:17:31,989 Speaker 2: Lebron James and the lead Balloons to fifteen as Cleveland 309 00:17:32,109 --> 00:17:36,069 Speaker 2: force is a Game six What a road victory for 310 00:17:36,109 --> 00:17:39,909 Speaker 2: the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the NBA Finals will return to 311 00:17:39,989 --> 00:17:41,509 Speaker 2: Cleveland on Thursday night. 312 00:17:42,549 --> 00:17:44,389 Speaker 6: And I think we saw that in the result and 313 00:17:44,469 --> 00:17:46,829 Speaker 6: through the Cavs just walked through Game six and then 314 00:17:46,909 --> 00:17:48,109 Speaker 6: Game seven of course went. 315 00:17:48,029 --> 00:17:48,909 Speaker 7: Back to game dog fight. 316 00:17:50,589 --> 00:17:54,589 Speaker 1: The Cavaliers didn't walk through Game six in Cleveland, they strutted. 317 00:17:55,269 --> 00:17:58,669 Speaker 1: In fact, Game six might have featured the most confident 318 00:17:58,869 --> 00:18:05,229 Speaker 1: James has ever looked in any singular moment. With less 319 00:18:05,229 --> 00:18:08,029 Speaker 1: than five minutes remaining and the Cavaliers looking to blow 320 00:18:08,069 --> 00:18:11,549 Speaker 1: the game wide open, James blocked a driving Steph Curry 321 00:18:11,589 --> 00:18:14,269 Speaker 1: at the rim, sending the ball out of bounds on 322 00:18:14,349 --> 00:18:18,589 Speaker 1: the baseline. After the block, Lebron started to walk away, 323 00:18:19,069 --> 00:18:21,869 Speaker 1: but then looked back at Curry with a few choice words. 324 00:18:22,789 --> 00:18:26,469 Speaker 12: It's pebble of hair and playbook hyry. 325 00:18:26,629 --> 00:18:32,669 Speaker 11: Block by James, making a statement of both sides of 326 00:18:32,749 --> 00:18:36,109 Speaker 11: the floor says to the two time MVP, get it 327 00:18:36,189 --> 00:18:38,189 Speaker 11: out of here, not a bar washing. 328 00:18:39,749 --> 00:18:44,469 Speaker 1: That meant game set on the Warriors home floor. Normally 329 00:18:44,989 --> 00:18:48,909 Speaker 1: that would be an automatic Golden State win, although sportsbooks 330 00:18:48,949 --> 00:18:51,429 Speaker 1: at the time had the Warriors as just a four 331 00:18:51,469 --> 00:18:55,349 Speaker 1: and a half point favorite, and where's the buzzer? 332 00:18:55,869 --> 00:18:58,869 Speaker 2: Game seven Sunday night, It'll look you feel like we. 333 00:18:58,869 --> 00:19:00,269 Speaker 7: Could have closed it out a long time ago. 334 00:19:00,469 --> 00:19:01,109 Speaker 2: But here we are. 335 00:19:02,069 --> 00:19:04,389 Speaker 3: He's tied up three to three and we're going back home. 336 00:19:04,509 --> 00:19:07,229 Speaker 13: So if you told us to UNI season one game 337 00:19:07,309 --> 00:19:10,309 Speaker 13: to win a championship in Oakland, I won't take that 338 00:19:10,389 --> 00:19:11,109 Speaker 13: any day of the week. 339 00:19:12,429 --> 00:19:14,669 Speaker 1: But a quick glance at the Warriors going into that 340 00:19:14,789 --> 00:19:17,989 Speaker 1: Game seven should have given an indication and upset was 341 00:19:18,029 --> 00:19:32,829 Speaker 1: on the way. Andrew Boget wasn't happy about his team 342 00:19:32,949 --> 00:19:35,908 Speaker 1: extending itself in the regular season to reach those seventy 343 00:19:35,949 --> 00:19:38,629 Speaker 1: three wins, and now he was part of the group 344 00:19:38,869 --> 00:19:41,669 Speaker 1: either not playing at all or not playing like their 345 00:19:41,749 --> 00:19:46,229 Speaker 1: usual selves. There was Steph still not moving laterally as 346 00:19:46,269 --> 00:19:49,388 Speaker 1: well as normal with the spring knee, and Andrea Aguadala 347 00:19:49,549 --> 00:19:51,909 Speaker 1: was suffering from back issues that wouldn't let him play 348 00:19:52,109 --> 00:19:54,549 Speaker 1: close to the level he did the previous year in 349 00:19:54,629 --> 00:19:57,189 Speaker 1: winning finals MVP. Here's both. 350 00:20:00,189 --> 00:20:03,349 Speaker 14: Game five. I go down. I think in the first 351 00:20:03,549 --> 00:20:06,309 Speaker 14: half block jaw Smith shot. He does a cannon ball 352 00:20:06,389 --> 00:20:09,309 Speaker 14: right into my knee. I'm like out, I'm out eight weeks. 353 00:20:09,589 --> 00:20:12,709 Speaker 14: Can't move my knee like just blows up swollen. It 354 00:20:12,829 --> 00:20:16,349 Speaker 14: was a massive bone bruise and a tour actually tore 355 00:20:16,469 --> 00:20:18,309 Speaker 14: my fear behead, which I didn't know at the time, 356 00:20:18,349 --> 00:20:21,269 Speaker 14: but tore my. If you have a ligament off that 357 00:20:21,469 --> 00:20:24,309 Speaker 14: so couldn't even attempt to rehab back. So then you 358 00:20:24,429 --> 00:20:28,029 Speaker 14: lose that interior piece, you lose. And I felt like, 359 00:20:28,149 --> 00:20:31,229 Speaker 14: coming from that previous finals roles bench, I thought I 360 00:20:31,309 --> 00:20:33,669 Speaker 14: was having a really good impact on that final series, 361 00:20:33,709 --> 00:20:36,669 Speaker 14: blocking shots, rebounding, doing what I do. Drayone as well. 362 00:20:37,789 --> 00:20:40,389 Speaker 14: So now you go to Game five, we lose that one. 363 00:20:40,589 --> 00:20:43,149 Speaker 14: I mean, there's Champagne getting ready in the back. We 364 00:20:43,269 --> 00:20:46,069 Speaker 14: lose that one. Now you're like, okay, now momentum starting. 365 00:20:46,149 --> 00:20:47,829 Speaker 14: You can feel it starting to shift. We have to 366 00:20:47,869 --> 00:20:49,949 Speaker 14: go to Cleveland. We didn't expect to go to Cleveland. 367 00:20:50,069 --> 00:20:52,668 Speaker 14: We thought it'd be over. Draymone comes back in the lineup. 368 00:20:52,829 --> 00:20:54,829 Speaker 14: Now the rotation is a bit different. I'm out, we're 369 00:20:54,869 --> 00:20:57,188 Speaker 14: going to start differently. We go to the small ball lineup. 370 00:20:57,269 --> 00:21:00,189 Speaker 14: That's not as efficient because Andre literally can't move, So 371 00:21:00,309 --> 00:21:03,069 Speaker 14: now other guys I need to play more minutes, and 372 00:21:03,749 --> 00:21:06,349 Speaker 14: it kind of you know, things change along that way. 373 00:21:06,829 --> 00:21:08,909 Speaker 14: And give credits to Cleveland. That's why there were seven 374 00:21:08,989 --> 00:21:11,549 Speaker 14: game series. You know, they just completely took momentum back. 375 00:21:11,629 --> 00:21:14,829 Speaker 14: We couldn't salvage, you know, just trading water, trading wader, 376 00:21:14,869 --> 00:21:18,069 Speaker 14: and by game seven Olephants was spottering. It became for 377 00:21:18,149 --> 00:21:20,229 Speaker 14: your isolation based especially in that second half. 378 00:21:20,629 --> 00:21:25,109 Speaker 1: The Warriors and Cavaliers were two great teams, but neither 379 00:21:25,349 --> 00:21:28,029 Speaker 1: was immune to the stress of a game seven. In 380 00:21:28,149 --> 00:21:31,469 Speaker 1: the previous series against the Thunder, game seven was easily 381 00:21:31,549 --> 00:21:34,349 Speaker 1: the lowest scoring game of the series, and the finals 382 00:21:34,429 --> 00:21:37,669 Speaker 1: Game seven, with the ring on the line, would match 383 00:21:37,749 --> 00:21:41,069 Speaker 1: that energy. In the eyes of many an Oracle Arena 384 00:21:41,149 --> 00:21:43,829 Speaker 1: that night, the only reason the game was being played 385 00:21:44,029 --> 00:21:47,469 Speaker 1: was because Draymond Green delayed the inevitable by getting suspended 386 00:21:47,509 --> 00:21:50,789 Speaker 1: for Game five. But if anyone could summon the type 387 00:21:50,789 --> 00:21:53,549 Speaker 1: of effort to make up for his mistake, it would 388 00:21:53,549 --> 00:21:57,589 Speaker 1: be Draymond. He's an absolute dog in big moments and 389 00:21:57,709 --> 00:22:00,909 Speaker 1: he would certainly be in this huge game. Steve Kerr 390 00:22:00,949 --> 00:22:03,549 Speaker 1: has clashed with Green several times throughout their time to 391 00:22:03,589 --> 00:22:06,549 Speaker 1: get it, but he's well aware that the positives of 392 00:22:06,629 --> 00:22:08,989 Speaker 1: Green far outweight the argumentative. 393 00:22:08,669 --> 00:22:12,629 Speaker 7: Was sometimes that that anger comes out and in some 394 00:22:12,749 --> 00:22:15,428 Speaker 7: ways we're similar in that regard. You know, I always 395 00:22:17,589 --> 00:22:20,389 Speaker 7: think about this quote my wife read to fitting. 396 00:22:20,429 --> 00:22:22,029 Speaker 1: By the way, the dog is barking now we're talking 397 00:22:22,069 --> 00:22:22,709 Speaker 1: about Draymond. 398 00:22:22,949 --> 00:22:23,509 Speaker 14: Yeah, that's right. 399 00:22:25,429 --> 00:22:28,389 Speaker 7: But my wife was reading a quote one day and 400 00:22:28,469 --> 00:22:30,349 Speaker 7: she said, oh my god, this is you. And I said, 401 00:22:30,389 --> 00:22:30,709 Speaker 7: what is it? 402 00:22:30,869 --> 00:22:33,949 Speaker 3: She said, Beware the fury of a patient man. And 403 00:22:35,389 --> 00:22:39,789 Speaker 3: that's me. I'm a very patient man. But if there's 404 00:22:39,829 --> 00:22:42,309 Speaker 3: a fury inside me, every once in a while, I 405 00:22:42,509 --> 00:22:46,469 Speaker 3: just blow over. And so Draymond and I have had 406 00:22:46,669 --> 00:22:50,949 Speaker 3: some real doozies over the years where we battled, but 407 00:22:51,829 --> 00:22:54,829 Speaker 3: it always came from a place of desperately trying to win, 408 00:22:55,309 --> 00:22:59,109 Speaker 3: and we always got over that stuff quickly and realized 409 00:22:59,149 --> 00:23:04,829 Speaker 3: he was part of our teams need for what he brought, 410 00:23:05,189 --> 00:23:08,509 Speaker 3: you know, amidst this culture of joy and fun, A 411 00:23:08,589 --> 00:23:12,949 Speaker 3: big part of it too, was our competitive spirit and fight, 412 00:23:13,389 --> 00:23:16,349 Speaker 3: and he represented that part of our culture and our team. 413 00:23:17,589 --> 00:23:20,589 Speaker 1: Whether Game seven was a rock fight or a dog fight, 414 00:23:21,229 --> 00:23:23,429 Speaker 1: Green was the perfect player to have on your side, 415 00:23:23,869 --> 00:23:26,949 Speaker 1: and he delivered with the aforementioned greatest playoff game of 416 00:23:26,989 --> 00:23:27,469 Speaker 1: his career. 417 00:23:27,949 --> 00:23:31,189 Speaker 9: If Raymond's wide open takes another three, five. 418 00:23:31,469 --> 00:23:38,109 Speaker 1: Five, Wow, I keep feeling it, attempting to make the 419 00:23:38,189 --> 00:23:42,189 Speaker 1: game five suspension a mere footnote in Warriors history. Green 420 00:23:42,269 --> 00:23:45,309 Speaker 1: finished with thirty two points, including six of eight from three, 421 00:23:45,909 --> 00:23:52,229 Speaker 1: fifteen rebounds, nine assists, and two steals. Green missed four shots, 422 00:23:52,949 --> 00:23:56,509 Speaker 1: he had two turnovers, he missed zero free throws, and 423 00:23:56,589 --> 00:23:59,229 Speaker 1: he helped hold the Calves to forty percent shooting and 424 00:23:59,389 --> 00:24:03,109 Speaker 1: Lebron to just thirty eight percent with five turnovers. It 425 00:24:03,269 --> 00:24:06,509 Speaker 1: was practically two games worth of production in one crucial 426 00:24:06,629 --> 00:24:10,629 Speaker 1: forty eight minute span, and yet somehow this game would 427 00:24:10,669 --> 00:24:14,229 Speaker 1: come down to the final minutes with only one made 428 00:24:14,309 --> 00:24:17,669 Speaker 1: field goal in the final four minutes and fourteen seconds 429 00:24:17,709 --> 00:24:21,269 Speaker 1: of action. Mike Green remembers how thick the tension was 430 00:24:21,349 --> 00:24:21,989 Speaker 1: from the start. 431 00:24:22,269 --> 00:24:25,549 Speaker 15: Well, the first thing is it seemed and there are 432 00:24:25,589 --> 00:24:28,188 Speaker 15: a lot of games like this, but I don't remember 433 00:24:28,269 --> 00:24:32,029 Speaker 15: one that was quite this emphatic in terms of every 434 00:24:32,189 --> 00:24:36,469 Speaker 15: single possession seemed to matter from the opening tip. I 435 00:24:36,589 --> 00:24:39,909 Speaker 15: mean every single possession, and if you would lose, make 436 00:24:39,949 --> 00:24:43,269 Speaker 15: a bad turnover and they'd score easily down the other 437 00:24:43,469 --> 00:24:45,789 Speaker 15: end in the middle of the first quarter, you could 438 00:24:45,829 --> 00:24:48,669 Speaker 15: imagine that could cost them the game. That's how intense 439 00:24:48,709 --> 00:24:50,829 Speaker 15: it was from start to finish, and that's what made 440 00:24:50,869 --> 00:24:53,309 Speaker 15: that game so dramatic. And there were stretches where there 441 00:24:53,389 --> 00:24:56,189 Speaker 15: was great basketball, and there were stretches where between the 442 00:24:56,269 --> 00:24:59,469 Speaker 15: pressure and the defense, it wasn't great. It was hard 443 00:24:59,509 --> 00:25:01,908 Speaker 15: to get accomplished what you wanted to go get accomplished. 444 00:25:02,309 --> 00:25:05,229 Speaker 15: And that's because, again, is that the ultimate playoff game 445 00:25:05,309 --> 00:25:08,589 Speaker 15: where every possession matters. And then down the stretch, you 446 00:25:09,109 --> 00:25:12,389 Speaker 15: knew the history that was involved, both for the two 447 00:25:12,509 --> 00:25:16,549 Speaker 15: franchises and for the individual players as well, and that's 448 00:25:16,629 --> 00:25:20,349 Speaker 15: what made it so intense, and you knew that somebody 449 00:25:20,549 --> 00:25:22,669 Speaker 15: was going to have to make a big player to 450 00:25:22,749 --> 00:25:23,029 Speaker 15: win it. 451 00:25:23,469 --> 00:25:26,269 Speaker 1: With one fifty five left in the game, Kyrie Irving 452 00:25:26,309 --> 00:25:29,149 Speaker 1: missed the jump shot that ended up in Andrea Wodala's hands. 453 00:25:30,069 --> 00:25:33,309 Speaker 1: He raced up the court, passed it to Curry, then 454 00:25:33,389 --> 00:25:35,549 Speaker 1: got the ball back for what looked like an easy 455 00:25:35,629 --> 00:25:39,549 Speaker 1: bucket in a fourth quarter that was starved for any offense. 456 00:25:40,469 --> 00:25:43,589 Speaker 1: After a twisting J R. Smith made a Guidala double clutch, 457 00:25:44,349 --> 00:25:48,269 Speaker 1: a force of nature named Lebron quickly timed his steps 458 00:25:48,309 --> 00:25:52,269 Speaker 1: as he approached and blocked the shot millimeters before it 459 00:25:52,349 --> 00:25:55,349 Speaker 1: hit the back flip, practically pinning it to the glass. 460 00:25:56,469 --> 00:26:02,709 Speaker 2: Bigodala to Curry Black black back James, Lebron James with. 461 00:26:02,789 --> 00:26:06,229 Speaker 11: A rejection dam not of nowhere, Sky's to the ram 462 00:26:06,549 --> 00:26:07,309 Speaker 11: eight backs in a. 463 00:26:07,309 --> 00:26:11,469 Speaker 1: Way huge, huge defensive plate, but a four time MVP. 464 00:26:12,869 --> 00:26:15,389 Speaker 1: The ball then fell into j R. Smith's hands and 465 00:26:15,469 --> 00:26:18,069 Speaker 1: the Caves headed the other way. Kevin Love had a 466 00:26:18,109 --> 00:26:19,629 Speaker 1: perfect view trailing the play. 467 00:26:21,749 --> 00:26:26,349 Speaker 8: I just remember how fast paced that play was from 468 00:26:26,509 --> 00:26:29,029 Speaker 8: in front of their bench going all the way down 469 00:26:29,669 --> 00:26:34,629 Speaker 8: and Andre is an incredible athlete, Like, let's not get 470 00:26:34,669 --> 00:26:36,869 Speaker 8: it twisted. Like he's one of the better athletes that 471 00:26:37,189 --> 00:26:40,789 Speaker 8: we seen, especially from that era. And you know at 472 00:26:40,829 --> 00:26:42,829 Speaker 8: the time, there's the reason he's getting this jersey retired 473 00:26:42,869 --> 00:26:46,309 Speaker 8: by the team, right, Like he was that good and 474 00:26:47,069 --> 00:26:50,269 Speaker 8: for him to get out in transition, he's putting you 475 00:26:50,469 --> 00:26:52,309 Speaker 8: again in a tough spot. He was one of those 476 00:26:52,349 --> 00:26:54,469 Speaker 8: guys that was a Swiss Army knife. It could do 477 00:26:54,509 --> 00:26:56,149 Speaker 8: a lot for him. So when he got that ball 478 00:26:56,269 --> 00:26:58,869 Speaker 8: and you know, you see Lebron starting to track him. 479 00:27:00,389 --> 00:27:04,309 Speaker 8: It wasn't until after I had seen the replay that 480 00:27:05,829 --> 00:27:07,989 Speaker 8: and so many people have broken it down now. But 481 00:27:08,189 --> 00:27:10,389 Speaker 8: if it wasn't for that swipe over the top from 482 00:27:11,189 --> 00:27:14,629 Speaker 8: you know Jr. And made Andre bring the ball down 483 00:27:15,229 --> 00:27:17,349 Speaker 8: and try and lay it up off the glass, and 484 00:27:17,429 --> 00:27:21,309 Speaker 8: it gave Lebron just that split second of enough time 485 00:27:21,469 --> 00:27:23,229 Speaker 8: to come there and block the shot. 486 00:27:23,509 --> 00:27:25,109 Speaker 7: Hopefully this isn't hyperbole. 487 00:27:25,269 --> 00:27:28,029 Speaker 8: I don't mean to make it sound like it is, 488 00:27:28,229 --> 00:27:31,429 Speaker 8: but I mean it has to be the greatest defensive 489 00:27:31,509 --> 00:27:35,749 Speaker 8: play maybe in the history of basketball, considering coming back 490 00:27:35,789 --> 00:27:39,188 Speaker 8: from three to one, a historically great team, time and score, 491 00:27:39,749 --> 00:27:43,229 Speaker 8: what the championship meant to Cleveland as a fifty two 492 00:27:43,389 --> 00:27:45,869 Speaker 8: year drought. I mean, there's so many things that factor 493 00:27:45,989 --> 00:27:49,029 Speaker 8: into that, and that play in particular, I think will 494 00:27:49,669 --> 00:27:54,229 Speaker 8: go down as I mean potentially his number one right 495 00:27:54,469 --> 00:27:55,789 Speaker 8: that he'll be most remembered for. 496 00:27:55,829 --> 00:27:56,869 Speaker 7: It certainly iconic. 497 00:27:57,269 --> 00:28:00,269 Speaker 1: You know, the play itself is iconic when the call 498 00:28:00,389 --> 00:28:04,069 Speaker 1: of the play is just as iconic. All hurry. 499 00:28:06,229 --> 00:28:09,869 Speaker 11: Block by James, Bron James with the rejection. 500 00:28:13,429 --> 00:28:16,589 Speaker 1: Google block by James, And of course you'll find this play. 501 00:28:17,109 --> 00:28:19,989 Speaker 1: But the reason it's called that is the memorable words 502 00:28:20,029 --> 00:28:22,949 Speaker 1: of Mike Breen, who sounded just as shocked as that 503 00:28:23,109 --> 00:28:24,229 Speaker 1: crowd when it happened. 504 00:28:24,749 --> 00:28:27,549 Speaker 15: You just knew that that was one of the most 505 00:28:27,589 --> 00:28:30,149 Speaker 15: spectacular plays in the heat of the moment, at the 506 00:28:30,229 --> 00:28:33,829 Speaker 15: most critical moment that I've ever seen. And you know, 507 00:28:33,949 --> 00:28:37,429 Speaker 15: we all love the dunks and the three pointers. A 508 00:28:37,549 --> 00:28:40,069 Speaker 15: block shot has always been one of my favorite. And 509 00:28:40,509 --> 00:28:43,989 Speaker 15: to make a block shot that wins you a championship, 510 00:28:44,229 --> 00:28:46,629 Speaker 15: that to me is again the beauty of basketball. There's 511 00:28:46,669 --> 00:28:48,709 Speaker 15: a lot of ways to win a game, and that's 512 00:28:48,749 --> 00:28:51,269 Speaker 15: certainly one that not only won a game, but won 513 00:28:51,349 --> 00:28:54,269 Speaker 15: a championship. There's nothing more exciting than big in a 514 00:28:54,349 --> 00:28:56,349 Speaker 15: score and then all of a sudden it doesn't happen, 515 00:28:56,669 --> 00:28:58,629 Speaker 15: and you could almost steel the Cavs. 516 00:28:59,229 --> 00:29:01,069 Speaker 7: You know that we're not going to lose this game. 517 00:29:00,949 --> 00:29:03,869 Speaker 15: After that, And not that the Warriors felt that they 518 00:29:03,909 --> 00:29:06,309 Speaker 15: were going to lose after what a deflating block shot. 519 00:29:06,349 --> 00:29:08,949 Speaker 15: They still think they're going to win the game, but 520 00:29:09,269 --> 00:29:12,309 Speaker 15: it was clearly one that changed everything. And the way 521 00:29:12,429 --> 00:29:16,229 Speaker 15: Kyrie Irving played in that series, sometimes he doesn't get 522 00:29:16,349 --> 00:29:21,949 Speaker 15: is enough credit into how spectacular an individual talent he is, 523 00:29:22,749 --> 00:29:26,269 Speaker 15: and you didn't get any there was no feeling whatsoever 524 00:29:26,349 --> 00:29:27,509 Speaker 15: that he was going to miss that shot. 525 00:29:29,829 --> 00:29:32,229 Speaker 1: That shot by Kyrie, the three pointer that gave the 526 00:29:32,309 --> 00:29:35,749 Speaker 1: Caves the league, the one NBA fans remember as among 527 00:29:35,829 --> 00:29:39,149 Speaker 1: the biggest shots in the league's history. That happened a 528 00:29:39,189 --> 00:29:42,709 Speaker 1: whole minute later. It was the one shot hit in 529 00:29:42,789 --> 00:29:46,629 Speaker 1: that final four minutes and fourteen seconds. Irving had gotten 530 00:29:46,709 --> 00:29:50,869 Speaker 1: the necessary switch and had Curry defended. Kyrie sized up 531 00:29:50,949 --> 00:29:55,429 Speaker 1: Curry with eight dribbles before finally taking that right sidestep, 532 00:29:55,749 --> 00:29:58,949 Speaker 1: slightly fading three pointer that hit the back of the 533 00:29:59,029 --> 00:30:05,549 Speaker 1: rim and went through the net. Irving is Curry one 534 00:30:05,589 --> 00:30:08,829 Speaker 1: on one, Irving puts it up, catch God, Kyrie, Irvi 535 00:30:09,029 --> 00:30:13,669 Speaker 1: cut down. Kevin Love was on the left wing, spot 536 00:30:13,789 --> 00:30:17,429 Speaker 1: it up and watching Irving take that shot. Love crashed 537 00:30:17,469 --> 00:30:19,469 Speaker 1: the paint once the ball was in the air, but 538 00:30:19,589 --> 00:30:21,749 Speaker 1: there would be no offensive rebound opportunity. 539 00:30:23,669 --> 00:30:25,869 Speaker 8: He's shown you time and time again that that shot 540 00:30:26,149 --> 00:30:30,349 Speaker 8: for him again, iconic shot in Cleveland sports history and 541 00:30:30,469 --> 00:30:35,789 Speaker 8: for Kai and he you know that step back, you know, 542 00:30:35,909 --> 00:30:37,629 Speaker 8: going to his right and kind of like doing that 543 00:30:37,709 --> 00:30:40,029 Speaker 8: little slight fade. He had done that time and time 544 00:30:40,109 --> 00:30:43,029 Speaker 8: and time again. So it wasn't surprising that he had 545 00:30:43,069 --> 00:30:45,549 Speaker 8: taken the shot, and that shot in particular. I think 546 00:30:45,589 --> 00:30:48,069 Speaker 8: he wanted that moment. He lived for that moment, and 547 00:30:48,309 --> 00:30:50,909 Speaker 8: he was you know, he's such a cerebral guy. He 548 00:30:51,069 --> 00:30:53,309 Speaker 8: thinks the game, He understands where he can get to 549 00:30:53,429 --> 00:30:57,949 Speaker 8: his spots. And again, like so I spoke about ty 550 00:30:58,029 --> 00:31:00,749 Speaker 8: Lu and everybody knows Lebron has made for those moments. 551 00:31:00,789 --> 00:31:02,229 Speaker 7: He's shown you that time and time again. 552 00:31:02,349 --> 00:31:03,269 Speaker 8: But Kyrie is. 553 00:31:06,309 --> 00:31:06,349 Speaker 15: Not. 554 00:31:06,589 --> 00:31:09,709 Speaker 1: Many would argue that Kyrie Irving is built for big moments. 555 00:31:10,269 --> 00:31:12,909 Speaker 1: He's widely considered one of the most skilled players to 556 00:31:12,989 --> 00:31:17,189 Speaker 1: ever play, so muscle memory often takes over regardless of 557 00:31:17,229 --> 00:31:20,549 Speaker 1: the stakes of the game. Even less folks would argue 558 00:31:20,589 --> 00:31:24,669 Speaker 1: that Kevin Love is built for perimeter defense. The power forward, 559 00:31:24,829 --> 00:31:27,629 Speaker 1: known for owning the boards and scoring from various spots 560 00:31:27,669 --> 00:31:31,549 Speaker 1: on the floor, was not a particularly nimble defender, especially 561 00:31:31,589 --> 00:31:34,229 Speaker 1: not out on the perimeter. So with the championship on 562 00:31:34,309 --> 00:31:37,869 Speaker 1: the line and his team leading by three, naturally it 563 00:31:37,909 --> 00:31:41,429 Speaker 1: would be Kevin Love stuck guarding the world's greatest marksman 564 00:31:41,829 --> 00:31:43,149 Speaker 1: thirty feet from the basket. 565 00:31:43,549 --> 00:31:45,989 Speaker 8: You know, you know I have to like I still 566 00:31:46,069 --> 00:31:49,389 Speaker 8: have PTSD, like being on an island against stephf I know, 567 00:31:49,549 --> 00:31:51,869 Speaker 8: like everybody likes to make a big deal about the 568 00:31:51,909 --> 00:31:54,109 Speaker 8: stop that I had. I forced him into a tough shot. 569 00:31:54,269 --> 00:31:56,069 Speaker 8: I mean, for me, I wanted to keep my feet 570 00:31:56,109 --> 00:31:58,149 Speaker 8: down and at the very least like if I was 571 00:31:58,509 --> 00:32:01,629 Speaker 8: compromised that I wanted to send him into the paint, 572 00:32:01,829 --> 00:32:04,469 Speaker 8: draw another defender and force him into a really tough 573 00:32:04,509 --> 00:32:07,469 Speaker 8: shot or make him kick it really to anybody but 574 00:32:07,669 --> 00:32:10,229 Speaker 8: play right. And we had gone over that play time 575 00:32:10,389 --> 00:32:14,109 Speaker 8: and time and time again. And when we switched and 576 00:32:14,189 --> 00:32:16,149 Speaker 8: he got the ball, I had stayed down. He'd given 577 00:32:16,189 --> 00:32:18,989 Speaker 8: the ball up to Draymond, who was guarded by Jr. 578 00:32:19,509 --> 00:32:22,309 Speaker 8: And I was actually supposed to deny that ball back. 579 00:32:22,389 --> 00:32:25,349 Speaker 8: We had went over that play their Endo game play 580 00:32:25,509 --> 00:32:27,909 Speaker 8: more than any other play, and all of our walkthroughs, 581 00:32:27,949 --> 00:32:30,349 Speaker 8: in all of our film sessions, time and time again. 582 00:32:30,389 --> 00:32:32,989 Speaker 8: We had talked it out, and in that moment I 583 00:32:33,109 --> 00:32:35,949 Speaker 8: just kind of got caught ball watching and wasn't able 584 00:32:35,989 --> 00:32:38,909 Speaker 8: to deny that ball back because of that. And when 585 00:32:38,949 --> 00:32:41,909 Speaker 8: Steph had received the ball, I thought, okay, just got 586 00:32:41,989 --> 00:32:43,589 Speaker 8: to lace them up and force him into a really 587 00:32:43,869 --> 00:32:46,509 Speaker 8: tough shot again, stay down, and worst case like just 588 00:32:46,589 --> 00:32:46,869 Speaker 8: fun of. 589 00:32:46,949 --> 00:32:47,909 Speaker 7: Them into the paint. 590 00:32:48,069 --> 00:32:50,189 Speaker 8: And Steph has been on record saying it too that 591 00:32:50,509 --> 00:32:52,469 Speaker 8: it's very likely that I could have just drove past 592 00:32:52,549 --> 00:32:57,309 Speaker 8: him and tried to create and again forced him into 593 00:32:57,349 --> 00:33:00,789 Speaker 8: a really tough shot that he's made many, many times. 594 00:33:00,909 --> 00:33:04,029 Speaker 8: It was just considering the time and score, the gravity 595 00:33:04,109 --> 00:33:06,669 Speaker 8: of the moment. It just so happened that the ball 596 00:33:06,749 --> 00:33:08,749 Speaker 8: bounced my way and I was able to force him 597 00:33:08,749 --> 00:33:10,989 Speaker 8: into a heavily contested shot. 598 00:33:11,509 --> 00:33:14,989 Speaker 2: Curry thanks to three steps back cross over, what's up? 599 00:33:15,029 --> 00:33:15,429 Speaker 2: A three? 600 00:33:17,469 --> 00:33:23,709 Speaker 1: James Curry missed, Lebron rebounded, and just one more point 601 00:33:23,829 --> 00:33:25,989 Speaker 1: was scored in the game, a James free throw that 602 00:33:26,069 --> 00:33:28,669 Speaker 1: gave us the final score ninety three to eighty nine. 603 00:33:29,869 --> 00:33:35,069 Speaker 1: Just like that, Lebron James was yelling, Cleveland, this is 604 00:33:35,149 --> 00:33:38,709 Speaker 1: for you. Just like that, the Warriors seventy three and 605 00:33:38,829 --> 00:33:43,589 Speaker 1: nine season was rendered empty, incomplete, and just like that, 606 00:33:44,349 --> 00:33:48,789 Speaker 1: Draymond Green would be blamed for losing a championship. Maybe 607 00:33:48,869 --> 00:33:51,869 Speaker 1: no other player gets as much direct blame for losing 608 00:33:51,949 --> 00:33:55,749 Speaker 1: a title. Draymond would get plenty more chances to redeem himself, 609 00:33:56,509 --> 00:34:00,029 Speaker 1: but this one would sting for quite a while, and 610 00:34:00,189 --> 00:34:00,669 Speaker 1: it sucks. 611 00:34:02,069 --> 00:34:10,428 Speaker 10: Obviously, you hate to lose. Being we had a three 612 00:34:10,469 --> 00:34:12,629 Speaker 10: to one lead, you know, so you think about all 613 00:34:12,709 --> 00:34:16,789 Speaker 10: that stuff. You think about, you know, what if what 614 00:34:16,909 --> 00:34:18,308 Speaker 10: if I would have done this, What if I would 615 00:34:18,309 --> 00:34:20,709 Speaker 10: have done that? All that stuff we're playing your head, 616 00:34:20,789 --> 00:34:24,389 Speaker 10: but you gotta get him a lot of credit. You know, 617 00:34:24,469 --> 00:34:27,549 Speaker 10: they were down three to one, they continued to battle, 618 00:34:27,829 --> 00:34:32,589 Speaker 10: and you know they never quit their leader's lad Lebron 619 00:34:33,189 --> 00:34:35,308 Speaker 10: put the team on his back, Kyrie put the team 620 00:34:35,349 --> 00:34:37,549 Speaker 10: on his back, and everybody follows suit, you know. So 621 00:34:39,029 --> 00:34:41,829 Speaker 10: Trishan was amazing, you know, throughout the course of this series, 622 00:34:43,309 --> 00:34:47,908 Speaker 10: and like I said, everybody else follows suit. So I'm 623 00:34:47,949 --> 00:34:49,868 Speaker 10: not sure if it's more so about what we did, 624 00:34:51,509 --> 00:34:54,189 Speaker 10: then you just gotta get them credit. They battled and 625 00:34:54,589 --> 00:34:55,509 Speaker 10: they deserve to win it. 626 00:34:56,829 --> 00:34:59,989 Speaker 1: If block By James felt like a bomb inside Oracle 627 00:35:00,029 --> 00:35:04,469 Speaker 1: Arena that night, the aftershocks might have been even more intense. 628 00:35:05,749 --> 00:35:09,908 Speaker 1: After the break, A somber FaceTime between rivals turns into 629 00:35:10,109 --> 00:35:26,069 Speaker 1: much much more. In the NBA, at least over the 630 00:35:26,189 --> 00:35:29,909 Speaker 1: last thirty years or so, the compelling drama isn't limited 631 00:35:29,949 --> 00:35:33,509 Speaker 1: to the ninety four feet apart. In fact, over the 632 00:35:33,589 --> 00:35:36,948 Speaker 1: last couple decades, even the NBA Finals in late June 633 00:35:37,389 --> 00:35:41,469 Speaker 1: have served almost as an appetizer to the anticipated smorgasboard 634 00:35:41,509 --> 00:35:44,549 Speaker 1: of player movement that begins in free agency in early July. 635 00:35:46,109 --> 00:35:48,789 Speaker 1: No one knew it at the time, but the historic 636 00:35:48,989 --> 00:35:52,748 Speaker 1: Cavaliers win that broke a fifty two year Cleveland championship 637 00:35:52,829 --> 00:35:56,629 Speaker 1: drought would serve as a precursor to the offseason move 638 00:35:56,869 --> 00:36:01,349 Speaker 1: that shocked the entire league. That's because after the Warriors 639 00:36:01,429 --> 00:36:04,509 Speaker 1: Game seven loss, Draymond Green and sat in his team's 640 00:36:04,549 --> 00:36:08,629 Speaker 1: locker room, assessing the entire situation. He'd FaceTime a friend 641 00:36:08,709 --> 00:36:11,829 Speaker 1: who was recently an opponent, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma 642 00:36:11,909 --> 00:36:16,589 Speaker 1: City thunder Now. For some time, this exchange was reported 643 00:36:16,669 --> 00:36:19,308 Speaker 1: as Green speaking with Durant in the parking lot after 644 00:36:19,389 --> 00:36:23,349 Speaker 1: the game. It was even suggested the discussion got emotional. 645 00:36:24,509 --> 00:36:27,269 Speaker 1: Green and Durant have since clarified that it was a 646 00:36:27,389 --> 00:36:32,069 Speaker 1: locker room FaceTime, but the message was clear. This was 647 00:36:32,149 --> 00:36:35,909 Speaker 1: a painful finish for Golden State, and maybe Durant, a 648 00:36:35,989 --> 00:36:38,589 Speaker 1: free agent in just a couple of weeks, can keep 649 00:36:38,669 --> 00:36:42,229 Speaker 1: this feeling from ever repeating itself by joining the Warriors 650 00:36:43,229 --> 00:36:46,069 Speaker 1: in the same way that not many believed Lebron James 651 00:36:46,069 --> 00:36:49,349 Speaker 1: would lead Cleveland in twenty ten, there was a strong 652 00:36:49,469 --> 00:36:52,549 Speaker 1: feeling Durant would re up with Oklahoma City an attempt 653 00:36:52,589 --> 00:36:55,268 Speaker 1: to complete a title run with Russell Westbrook and new 654 00:36:55,349 --> 00:36:59,189 Speaker 1: coach Billy Donovan, but the Warriors losing and doing so 655 00:36:59,429 --> 00:37:02,469 Speaker 1: in the heart wrenching fashion that they did, left the 656 00:37:02,549 --> 00:37:06,909 Speaker 1: possibility over for an earth shattering move. Anthony Slater writes 657 00:37:06,949 --> 00:37:09,469 Speaker 1: for The Athletic but was a beat reporter for the 658 00:37:09,549 --> 00:37:12,629 Speaker 1: Oklahoma at the time, covering the Thunder team that had 659 00:37:12,669 --> 00:37:16,349 Speaker 1: gotten to four conference finals and one NBA Finals with Durant. 660 00:37:16,829 --> 00:37:20,709 Speaker 1: Slater was following Durant especially closely this offseason, given that 661 00:37:20,789 --> 00:37:24,189 Speaker 1: it was the largest free agency decision in Oklahoma City's history. 662 00:37:24,429 --> 00:37:27,669 Speaker 1: Slater recalls the first moment a Katie returned to OKC 663 00:37:28,229 --> 00:37:31,109 Speaker 1: wasn't as certain as many belief. It happened in the 664 00:37:31,189 --> 00:37:35,748 Speaker 1: city where Durant attended college, Austin, Texas, weeks before free 665 00:37:35,789 --> 00:37:36,469 Speaker 1: agency open. 666 00:37:40,869 --> 00:37:43,349 Speaker 9: So this is twenty sixteen free agency. So like late June, 667 00:37:43,789 --> 00:37:46,268 Speaker 9: I went down to Austin, Texas because at the time, 668 00:37:46,389 --> 00:37:50,069 Speaker 9: obviously all the Oklahoma cared about was this impending Monster decision. 669 00:37:50,469 --> 00:37:53,229 Speaker 9: You sensed the level of optimism, but like kind of 670 00:37:53,309 --> 00:37:56,389 Speaker 9: scared optimism from the Thunder at that time, which was 671 00:37:56,469 --> 00:37:59,189 Speaker 9: late June, and I went down to Austin, Texas because 672 00:37:59,189 --> 00:38:01,069 Speaker 9: he was doing a shoe release, you know, on the 673 00:38:01,149 --> 00:38:03,949 Speaker 9: campus of the University of Texas. And this is at 674 00:38:03,949 --> 00:38:06,349 Speaker 9: the same time the finals that he believed he should 675 00:38:06,349 --> 00:38:08,109 Speaker 9: have been playing in was going on. It was I 676 00:38:08,229 --> 00:38:11,549 Speaker 9: remember Game seven was the night before his shoe release, 677 00:38:11,829 --> 00:38:14,629 Speaker 9: and now here in retrospect, I was not in the 678 00:38:14,709 --> 00:38:16,949 Speaker 9: room at the time, but Rich climb and his agent 679 00:38:16,989 --> 00:38:19,589 Speaker 9: and him were watching Game seven where the Warriors lose, 680 00:38:19,629 --> 00:38:21,989 Speaker 9: which I think is a very important factor here. The 681 00:38:22,029 --> 00:38:24,229 Speaker 9: Warriors win that title, they've won two in a row. 682 00:38:24,469 --> 00:38:27,428 Speaker 9: I'm not sure Kevin goes there. You know, some people 683 00:38:27,509 --> 00:38:29,949 Speaker 9: might tell you differently, but anyway, the Warriors lose, and 684 00:38:30,069 --> 00:38:32,429 Speaker 9: within that apparently in that room, he kind of mentioned 685 00:38:32,469 --> 00:38:34,789 Speaker 9: to his agent at the time, Rich Climben, that you know, 686 00:38:34,869 --> 00:38:37,389 Speaker 9: I'd be like, I could help these guys. That's the 687 00:38:37,469 --> 00:38:39,748 Speaker 9: kind of style I want to play. And then I 688 00:38:39,869 --> 00:38:43,109 Speaker 9: also from that trip, remember when I was around him, 689 00:38:43,189 --> 00:38:47,029 Speaker 9: especially that next day and there was a thunder. There 690 00:38:47,069 --> 00:38:48,989 Speaker 9: was a few hundred people down there too. But I 691 00:38:49,069 --> 00:38:51,469 Speaker 9: was starting to get the vibe that it's not as 692 00:38:51,549 --> 00:38:54,308 Speaker 9: sure a thing that he's going back as I thought 693 00:38:54,349 --> 00:38:56,749 Speaker 9: it was. You know, his eyes seemed to be wondering, 694 00:38:56,749 --> 00:38:58,389 Speaker 9: and it was like, oh, he's going to take meetings 695 00:38:58,429 --> 00:39:01,589 Speaker 9: he's going to do this Hampton thing that I working 696 00:39:01,669 --> 00:39:03,989 Speaker 9: on the thunderside of it. That's and I started to 697 00:39:03,989 --> 00:39:05,709 Speaker 9: get an idea, but he could actually. 698 00:39:05,469 --> 00:39:13,109 Speaker 1: Go that's right, Kevin Durant might actually change teams. And 699 00:39:13,229 --> 00:39:16,429 Speaker 1: where will the former MVP make this incredibly difficult life 700 00:39:16,469 --> 00:39:19,829 Speaker 1: decision that can impact the lives of so many in 701 00:39:19,909 --> 00:39:23,748 Speaker 1: a place that screams elite vacationing more than any other 702 00:39:23,829 --> 00:39:31,069 Speaker 1: place in America. The Hampton's Durant and his team met 703 00:39:31,069 --> 00:39:34,349 Speaker 1: with the Thunder in Oklahoma City before leaving for the Hamptons, 704 00:39:34,589 --> 00:39:38,989 Speaker 1: where he met with the Spurs, Heat Clippers, Celtics, and Warriors. 705 00:39:39,589 --> 00:39:44,069 Speaker 1: The Warriors contingent included Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, 706 00:39:44,109 --> 00:39:47,469 Speaker 1: and Andrea Woodalla GM Bob Myers was there as well. 707 00:39:48,389 --> 00:39:51,669 Speaker 1: If Durant were to join the Warriors and replace Harrison Barnes, 708 00:39:51,749 --> 00:39:55,469 Speaker 1: who didn't play well in the twenty sixteen finals, those 709 00:39:55,589 --> 00:39:58,509 Speaker 1: five would be the new version of the Warriors deathline. 710 00:39:59,469 --> 00:40:02,429 Speaker 1: Given where this group first met, the nickname of that 711 00:40:02,709 --> 00:40:06,629 Speaker 1: even dead lane closing lineup would be ironically called the 712 00:40:06,749 --> 00:40:10,149 Speaker 1: Hamptons Five. The Thunder would also be granted a final 713 00:40:10,229 --> 00:40:12,868 Speaker 1: meeting with Durant after all those other teams had made 714 00:40:12,869 --> 00:40:16,949 Speaker 1: their pitch. Okay, see, thought they'd built just the right 715 00:40:17,069 --> 00:40:20,709 Speaker 1: team around Durant going full As Slater tells it, the 716 00:40:20,789 --> 00:40:25,149 Speaker 1: Warriors offense intrigued Durant more so than upgraded personnel did 717 00:40:25,269 --> 00:40:26,149 Speaker 1: in Oklahoma City. 718 00:40:27,509 --> 00:40:30,869 Speaker 9: Steve Kerr loves to call it like the democratic, egalitarian offense, 719 00:40:30,909 --> 00:40:33,229 Speaker 9: where everybody's sharing it. He felt he could grow his 720 00:40:33,429 --> 00:40:36,669 Speaker 9: game that way. And also, and again he saysn't something 721 00:40:36,709 --> 00:40:38,869 Speaker 9: he necessarily directly got into, but I think he was 722 00:40:38,909 --> 00:40:41,828 Speaker 9: ready for a lifestyle change and ready to move from 723 00:40:41,869 --> 00:40:44,149 Speaker 9: Oklahoma City to the Bay Area. I mean, it's just 724 00:40:44,189 --> 00:40:47,069 Speaker 9: a very very different place to live and he wanted 725 00:40:47,109 --> 00:40:49,788 Speaker 9: to experience that, and it was different and he had 726 00:40:49,869 --> 00:40:52,589 Speaker 9: the success he wanted to. But obviously other stuff came 727 00:40:52,629 --> 00:40:54,868 Speaker 9: after that. I think because it was such a tough 728 00:40:54,949 --> 00:40:57,389 Speaker 9: decision at the end that I think every factor does 729 00:40:57,549 --> 00:41:00,149 Speaker 9: kind of matter in here, including like the Thunder. The 730 00:41:00,269 --> 00:41:03,868 Speaker 9: Thunder had basically a commitment from Al Horford. The time 731 00:41:03,909 --> 00:41:06,149 Speaker 9: that he was gonna come over, they had just traded 732 00:41:06,189 --> 00:41:09,748 Speaker 9: Serge Ibacca to Orlando for Victor Oladipo in the draft 733 00:41:09,789 --> 00:41:11,709 Speaker 9: pick that was demonis a bonus, they were gonna have 734 00:41:11,749 --> 00:41:15,629 Speaker 9: the starting lineup that was russ Oladipo, kd al Horford 735 00:41:15,709 --> 00:41:19,509 Speaker 9: in emerging Steven Adams, and I think that pitch maybe 736 00:41:19,909 --> 00:41:21,828 Speaker 9: would have got them over the finish line if also 737 00:41:21,909 --> 00:41:23,868 Speaker 9: it was like, hey, the one team you were thinking 738 00:41:23,869 --> 00:41:26,829 Speaker 9: about going to. Yes, they won seventy three games, and 739 00:41:27,029 --> 00:41:28,589 Speaker 9: you know, in a lot of ways, he faced the 740 00:41:28,629 --> 00:41:30,429 Speaker 9: wrath of that, Hey, you just joined the seventy three 741 00:41:30,469 --> 00:41:32,029 Speaker 9: win team. But I just think it would have been 742 00:41:32,069 --> 00:41:33,989 Speaker 9: harder for him if it was you just are joining 743 00:41:33,989 --> 00:41:36,268 Speaker 9: the seventy three win team who's also a two time champ. 744 00:41:36,349 --> 00:41:38,469 Speaker 9: You could at least spin it in. Hey, they failed, 745 00:41:38,909 --> 00:41:41,709 Speaker 9: they lost in the finals. Joe lacob is leaving the 746 00:41:41,789 --> 00:41:45,629 Speaker 9: arena in Oracle after Game seven upset, saying, you know, 747 00:41:45,709 --> 00:41:48,669 Speaker 9: I'm gonna go fix this. We're gonna go get Kevin Durant. 748 00:41:48,709 --> 00:41:51,389 Speaker 9: We're gonna be super aggressive. You have the entire Warriors 749 00:41:51,469 --> 00:41:54,469 Speaker 9: conglomerate going to the Hamptons, and look, they if they 750 00:41:54,549 --> 00:41:56,149 Speaker 9: won two titles and they were back to back, they 751 00:41:56,189 --> 00:41:59,029 Speaker 9: may have done that anyways, but they more more desperately 752 00:41:59,149 --> 00:42:01,109 Speaker 9: seeking him out, saying you're a missing piece. 753 00:42:01,709 --> 00:42:03,709 Speaker 1: By the time the Thunder got to the hamp didn't. 754 00:42:03,749 --> 00:42:08,189 Speaker 1: For their second meeting with Durant, circumstances had changed. No 755 00:42:08,349 --> 00:42:11,469 Speaker 1: longer did they feel confident that their original pitch went 756 00:42:11,549 --> 00:42:12,229 Speaker 1: over Durant. 757 00:42:13,629 --> 00:42:15,709 Speaker 9: They walked into the Hampton's mansion and it was like 758 00:42:16,589 --> 00:42:17,629 Speaker 9: something changed here. 759 00:42:17,789 --> 00:42:18,869 Speaker 7: They hadn't. 760 00:42:19,069 --> 00:42:21,388 Speaker 9: They were not told that night that Kevin was gone, 761 00:42:21,429 --> 00:42:23,029 Speaker 9: But when you were talking to people around it, they 762 00:42:23,029 --> 00:42:26,389 Speaker 9: were leaving that mansion in the Hamptons like pretty much 763 00:42:26,469 --> 00:42:27,069 Speaker 9: knowing they had. 764 00:42:26,989 --> 00:42:27,349 Speaker 7: Lost it. 765 00:42:35,149 --> 00:42:36,669 Speaker 1: On the next dub Dynasty. 766 00:42:41,229 --> 00:42:43,349 Speaker 3: So we would wrap up practice and I would go 767 00:42:43,389 --> 00:42:45,109 Speaker 3: to the side of the court and at one end 768 00:42:45,229 --> 00:42:47,589 Speaker 3: was Steph went through his routine. At the other end 769 00:42:47,789 --> 00:42:51,348 Speaker 3: was Kevin going through his routine. And you know, it's 770 00:42:51,429 --> 00:42:56,589 Speaker 3: like we're watching Mozart and Bach, you know, at the 771 00:42:56,709 --> 00:42:59,829 Speaker 3: exact same time composed music. He was stunning. 772 00:43:01,229 --> 00:43:04,349 Speaker 12: I can tell you how like how mad I was 773 00:43:05,269 --> 00:43:10,909 Speaker 12: when Katie signed with the Warriors, breaking breaking news. I 774 00:43:11,189 --> 00:43:14,189 Speaker 12: was so mad. I said, who's gonna beat them? I said, 775 00:43:14,229 --> 00:43:17,589 Speaker 12: this is not fair. My wife, my kids, like Dad, 776 00:43:17,629 --> 00:43:19,149 Speaker 12: why are you angry? I said, it's not fair. 777 00:43:20,069 --> 00:43:24,429 Speaker 9: So much of the Durant backlash felt like you're you're 778 00:43:24,469 --> 00:43:27,788 Speaker 9: going to the enemy, like the team that just kind 779 00:43:27,789 --> 00:43:30,789 Speaker 9: of slayed you essentially, and like there was a I 780 00:43:30,829 --> 00:43:32,109 Speaker 9: think there was a lot of people at the time 781 00:43:32,149 --> 00:43:35,989 Speaker 9: that really wanted to see Thunder Warriors again the next year, right, and. 782 00:43:36,069 --> 00:43:39,069 Speaker 4: I approached Pop always kid kidding and me being young, 783 00:43:39,189 --> 00:43:41,749 Speaker 4: being competitive. It didn't matter who was where. We always 784 00:43:41,829 --> 00:43:45,909 Speaker 4: thought they were vulnerable or they had vulnerable spots, and 785 00:43:45,949 --> 00:43:48,308 Speaker 4: nobody was invincible to us. You know, they're not these 786 00:43:48,349 --> 00:43:50,389 Speaker 4: guys from Boston back in the other Lakers back in 787 00:43:50,469 --> 00:43:53,029 Speaker 4: the day. He's like, well, Michael Jordan's and Chicago Bulls, 788 00:43:53,029 --> 00:43:55,189 Speaker 4: they're not that good. So he was putting in our 789 00:43:55,269 --> 00:43:56,869 Speaker 4: minds like they're beatables. 790 00:44:03,549 --> 00:44:06,509 Speaker 1: Dub Dynasty is a production of iHeartMedia and the NBA. 791 00:44:07,069 --> 00:44:11,788 Speaker 1: For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 792 00:44:12,029 --> 00:44:13,389 Speaker 1: or wherever you get your podcasts.