Channing Frye said the 2016 nba finals Cavaliers would have won Game 5 even if Draymond Green had played. The former Cavaliers big man tied that belief to Cleveland’s 112-97 win, a result that pushed the series toward the 3-1 comeback and LeBron James’ first NBA title with the team.
Frye on Game 5
“I am a firm believer that even if Draymond [Green] was there, we would have still put that belt on ’em,” Frye said. He went further when asked about Green’s absence, adding, “Unless he would have grown two more arms, and 6 more inches, no.”
Green had been suspended for Game 5 after picking up his fourth flagrant foul of the postseason, and he was not permitted to be in the building. Cleveland answered with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each scoring 41 points, while the two stars combined for nine 3-pointers.
James and Irving in Game 5
The 112-97 final in Game 5 stood out because the Cavaliers did more than just survive without facing Green on the floor. James and Irving controlled the scoring load and left Golden State chasing the game for long stretches.
Frye recalled how fast the pair moved through the Warriors’ defense, saying, “Total respect to Golden State, but it was like two sword fighters.” He also said, “You just hear the noise, and then they’re over there, and you’re like ‘Damn, when did that happen?’”
Golden State’s Frontcourt
Frye said Cleveland also benefited as Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli went down in the series. By that point, Golden State had no big man on the court and no Green, a combination that left the Cavaliers with room to press their advantage.
The Cavaliers finished the job with a 115-101 win in Game 6 and a 93-89 victory in Game 7. That closed out the 3-1 deficit and delivered James his first NBA title as a member of the Cavaliers.
