In the grand scheme of things, yesterday’s 126-91 beat down of the Cleveland Cavaliers won’t mean much. If the two teams face each other for a third time in the NBA Finals, the series will start 0-0, so this regular season game is just another notch on the win column.
However, from a psychological stand point, this game was very important for the Warriors. The Cavs had won four games in a row against the Dubs and the come back on Christmas Day left the Warriors with a bad taste in their mouth. The Warriors wanted this game, they needed it.
Right from the start of the game, the Warriors played with much more urgency and were simply the better team. With a little less than seven minutes left in the first half, the Cavs were attempting to muster a run to cut the lead to a manageable deficit by halftime. After a Shaun Livingston turnover, James found himself on the break, but was met by Draymond Green.
Green was attempting to go for the ball, but collided with James in the process and it looked like it should have just been a common foul. However, James decided to put his acting skills to the test and flopped his way to a flagrant foul.
After the game, James was asked about the play and played it off. According to ESPN, James said he’s fine after the collision, mainly due because he’s a football player:
“I’m all right. I’m a football player.”
LeBron James on that Draymond Green foul: https://t.co/AjUVdBaRaZ
— ESPN (@espn) January 17, 2017
This weekend I watched some good football games and not once did I see a player flop the way LeBron did on that play. James is listed at 6-foot-9 and weight 250 pounds, the man is built like a tank. Why are your arms flailing after such a common collision? James should be playing soccer.
Why would you call yourself a football player after falling to the ground like that? It just does not make any sense. Basketball is a physical sport and when you’re the most physically imposing player in the league, you should not be flopping.
Let them play refs and don’t fall for subpar acting skills.