Cavaliers reportedly wanted Green suspended 2 games

If the Cavaliers got their way, Draymond Green wouldn’t be playing in Game 6, either.

A report from Zach Lowe of ESPN detailed a Cavaliers’ argument to the NBA that Green be charged with a flagrant 2, a resulting penalty being a two-game suspension, and a real shot for the Cavaliers to force a Game 7.

Lowe’s full statement, which he gave on his podcast while discussing the situation with former NBA coach and current ESPN broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy:

“I’ll tell you, the Cavs wanted him suspended for two games. I can tell you that. They wanted it to be a flagrant 2 and to have him suspended for Game 5 and Game 6.”

It’s hardly shocking, if it’s true, could be devastating to the sterling reputation of LeBron James. It’s certainly not a good look for Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue, who took after the Cavs fired David Blatt.

Lue might have an even tougher time returning to the Cavaliers as the head coach — Lue doesn’t have the most welcoming personality, he constantly issues catty remarks when dealing with media and throws players under the bus with pejorative statements during globally televised broadcasts — and it’s a solid possibility that Cleveland is lining potential candidates on the morning of Game 6.

But Lowe’s report could be the most damaging part of Lue’s stint as a coach in any capacity.

Moreover, it’s hard to imagine any scenario where the Warriors don’t respond with a ferocity akin to lightning from Zeus’ Triton. Green has pledged to keep his emotions in check. This is just more fuel, though, that the All-Star forward can add to his tank and dominate like he wants to after feeling like he let his teammates down.

Green said Wednesday that he can’t put himself in a position where he can’t be there for the team, and is on a mission to make amends with action on the floor.

Perhaps he didn’t need any more motivation than simply feeling guilty, but this report could easily put him over the top. Because Green does pay attention. And he feeds on these sorts of things.

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Jason Leskiw is SFBay’s Golden State Warriors beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @LeskiwSFBay on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of Warriors basketball.