The increase in the physicality of Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Finals, which the Golden State Warriors convincingly won to tie the series with the Boston Celtics, has been one of the main points of conversation in the following days. . Draymond Green’s ability to set the tone and jokes depending on which side you’re on has been a focal point.
In the first play of the match, Green met Al Horford well beyond the 3-point line and forced a ball jump. He carried that intensity throughout the game and was instrumental in the Warriors’ victory. At the same time, he was about to cross the line again and hurt his team. He received a technical foul in the first quarter after coming on with Grant Williams, and could have had another after an incident with Jaylen Brown in the second quarter.
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While Green is well aware of the fact that he sometimes plays with fire, he told reporters on Tuesday that he feels it is his responsibility to play hard and give his team an advantage. Your full answer:
“I just thought [the physicality] it was something we had to carry. You get to the NBA Finals and the physique and the strong match is important. It’s something you have to contribute to this game. “
“I thought that when I looked back at match 1, when I saw the movie and even how I felt, I didn’t think we felt good enough. You can’t get to that stage, that level and the reason. “Because a team didn’t hear you. It’s a shame. You have to lose when you get to that level because a team was better than you.”
“I couldn’t live with myself if I continued my summer and we lost the NBA Finals because we couldn’t face the force with the force. So I think it was a bit for me and I understand. I said, this is my department. That’s where I’m supposed to lead and I can’t disappoint mine. “
The Celtics didn’t seem ready for how much more physical the Warriors would be in the second game, and they got rid of them in the third quarter. After the game, Jayson Tatum even made a brief complaint that the Celtics “weren’t getting the benefit of the doubt” when it came to physical play.
But if there’s one thing that has stood out about the Celtics ’postseason, it’s that they’ve had an answer to all the adversity they’ve faced along the way. So far, they are a perfect 6-0 after a loss, and will look to make it 7-0 in Game 3. To get the job done, they know they will have to match the Warriors’ physique and are willing to do just that.
“I mean, you respond to fire with fire, right?” said Marcus Smart. “We just have to turn around and do the same. If he comes in here and tries to be physical, this is our home and we have to protect him.
“As any competitor would tell you, when they hit you in the mouth that way, there’s only one way to respond, and if you’re not really ready to do that, you don’t have to be on that stage.” Smart added. “This is a stage where we have to be willing to risk everything for your team and for the victory. By all means necessary. This is the mentality they have. It’s the mentality we have. But we have it. get out there and run it. “