Golden State Warriors: 5 Keys To Winning Without Draymond Green

Heading into Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals with Draymond Green suspended, here are five keys for the Golden State Warriors to close the series out.

Following a pivotal win in Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors were all but assured championship glory. They had just demoralized the Cleveland Cavaliers by handing them their first home loss of the postseason, the Splash Brothers had finally returned to form and the Dubs were heading back to Oracle Arena with a commanding 3-1 series lead.

But even in a building where the Warriors are 50-3, they’re going to have a hard time closing out a desperate Cavs team now that Draymond Green has been suspended for Game 5.

In a Game 4 altercation with LeBron James, Green was knocked to the ground and tried to get up while James was stepping over him. Green took exception to that sign of disrespect and landed a shot on LeBron’s groin area.

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The NBA reviewed the incident and assessed Green a Flagrant 1 foul, which resulted in a suspension since he had received his fourth flagrant foul point in the playoffs. LeBron was assessed a technical foul upon league review.

I’m not here to argue whether Green’s hit was another incidental contact or whether the league should’ve been more lenient considering LeBron’s step-over was an unnecessary instigator (though for the record, I think both of those things).

For our purposes, here’s what matters: Green’s suspension was a culmination of his many altercations in these playoffs, not punishment for an isolated incident. The result, unfortunate though it may be, is all the same: the heart and soul of the Warriors will miss a potential closeout game.

The question is, how will the Dubs fare without him?

As you can see, Green’s impact on this team is second only to league MVP Stephen Curry‘s. The Splash Brothers are far more potent with him spreading the floor and making plays, the Dubs need his defense and rebounding, and Golden State’s success with small-ball is fully dependent on his versatility.

Golden State is a dangerous team at home no matter who’s on the floor, they’ve still got the Splash Brothers, and with Green out, the Warriors now have their rallying cry for Game 5.

But the Dubs lost the one game they played without Draymond Green this season (a two-point loss in Denver despite Curry dropping 38). Golden State once again faces adversity, but here are five keys to overcoming it and winning Game 5 to secure back-to-back championships.

Next: No. 5