Mellower Green playing this Game 5 after 2016 ban

oakland — Golden State Warriors starting forward Draymond Green won’t be stuck watching game five of the NBA Finals from the stadium next door this year.

The outspoken 27-year-old will try to help the Warriors, who lead this year’s best-ofseven series 3-1, defeat the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday in Oakland to capture the crown.

Last year, the Warriors also led 3-1 but Green was banned from the pivotal matchup after striking Cleveland star LeBron James in the groin in game four. The visiting Cavaliers won game five with Green watching on TV from a luxury box in the baseball stadium beside the arena, awaiting a celebration that would never come. Cleveland won games six and seven to cap the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history and dethrone the Warriors.

A mellower Green has learned the lessons from that frustration and while not above chatting to a referee, was whistled for fewer flagrant fouls this season. “I don’t really carry it with me. I’m a firm believer in (stuff) happens,” Green said. “I carried the lessons that I learned with me. It has put me in the position I am today. I feel better than I’ve ever felt emotionally. Just having my emotions in place than I’ve ever felt.

“So it’s all things that happen bad aren’t that bad, when you take a step back and look at them. It’s something that I learned from and will stick with me for the rest of my life.” And having a game five at home opens a chance at redemption and securing a crown with his work on the court. —