Despite putting on one of the best performances of his career in Game 7, Draymond Green understands that his absence in Game 5 may have been his most impactful moment of his postseason.
With the Golden State Warriors leading the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-1, Green was forced to serve a one-game suspension after picking up a flagrant 1 for making unnecessary contact with LeBron James.
Green's absence would be a turning point in the series, as Cleveland completed its comeback with a series win Sunday.
"I mean, as you know, I blame myself for everything," Green said Sunday. "That's just who I am. I think as a leader that's important. Hey, I'm not afraid to take the blame. I do think that's where the series turned, but it happened. Move on from it.
"Like I said, I learned from it, and I'll be better. But I'm not afraid to say that it's my fault. I think it was."
Green scored a game-high 32 points in Game 7, in addition to adding 15 rebounds and nine assists in 47 minutes. The Warriors, however, were not able to stop the Cavaliers' momentum.
Golden State did set the NBA record with a 73-win regular season, and despite not repeating as champions, Green believes there's plenty to be proud of.
"I think it's been a great season for us," Green said. "Obviously everybody will say, oh, man, they won 73 but they didn't win a championship. We didn't. But I think this team accomplished a lot of great things individually and as a team, and those things can never be taken away."
