Draymond reveals which Warrior had the best chance at Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
There were several moments during the NBA Finals that were critical to the warriors beat the Boston Celtics to earn their fourth championship in eight seasons.
But if you ask Draymond Greenthere is one crucial shot that stands out above the rest.
On the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” which aired Sunday, the Golden State veteran said: revealed which dagger he believes it was the deadliest of the series — and it wasn’t made by Finals MVP Steph Curry.
“The biggest shot of the series was Jordan Poole’s shot before the end of quarter number three in Game 5, where he shot in the three,” said Green.
Dub Nation sure remembers what shot Green was referring to?† Not only were the banked three Poole’s buzzer knocker in the second third quarter of the Finals, but it served as a deflating disruption to a Celtics offense bent on coming back and breaking the series tie with a Game 5 win.
“Why was that the biggest take of the series?” Green continued. “The reason this was the biggest chance of the series was because they fought back in the third quarter, which we dominated in the third quarter.
“They fought back in that third quarter, and when they fought back they had taken the lead, and Jordan had the shot and we went up one in the fourth quarter.”
Until that shot, Boston had bounced back from a 51-39 deficit and a 74-72 lead over Golden State at the start of the third quarter.
But at the start of the final 12 minutes of the game, Poole’s dastardly three before the end of the third put the Warriors back on top, despite the Celtics’ hard-fought effort. It had to be a tough pill for Boston to swallow, and the shot also came on the perfect night when Curry went all out. without making a three-pointer yourself†
“And I know for most people it’s like, ‘But they only have one, no problem. It’s there,'” said Green. “But what that did to them mentally, for them to see, ‘Man , we’ve just had this incredible quarter and we’re going into the fourth quarter.” It didn’t matter if they were one point or 10 points behind.
“To have the quarter they had to take the lead, and then go down the next quarter? That, to them, I felt like a dagger when Jordan hit that shot.”
A four-time champion himself, Green went on about the mentality the Celtics could have had after Poole’s buzzer-beater.
“Did they stop after that? No. We went out and took over the fourth quarter of Game 5 right away,” said Green. “But you just knew they didn’t have — they made the comeback, but they didn’t have enough to get over the hump.
“And if they never took the lead and they go into the fourth quarter behind, that’s a completely different mentality. But the fact that they took the lead and then still went one deficit in the fourth quarter, I think mentally for them, that was a gut feeling for them. †
RELATED: Two Reasons Draymond Says Warriors SF Parade Was The Best
Of course, Poole’s gut punch helped the Warriors win Game 5 and win Game 6 — and another championship ring.
Thanks to young stars like Poole making such impressive moves, the future of the Warriors looks bright.
And with an experienced core infused with that talented youth, Green, Poole and Co. to do much of the same next year.