Game 3 of the NBA Finals didn’t come without its share of fireworks, tension, altercations, and even some post-game controversy.
Despite not getting any run during the ABC broadcast of the game, due to its fast pace, further replay showed LeBron James kicking his leg out and connecting with Andre Iguodala’s groin after he had his corner three-point attempt stuffed by the sixth man.
The play was the same that has been deemed an “unnatural act” by the NBA, and one for which forward Draymond Green has been repeatedly penalized for during last year’s playoff run.
The league even made a rule of it, which was put into effect at the very start of this season.
When asked about it the day after the game, Iguodala was his usual nonchalant-self.
“You know what’s crazy? I did not feel it,” he told ESPN’s Chris Haynes. “When I look back at it, I was like, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know this happened. Somebody told me about it.”
“I didn’t know what happened, but I’m not going to be the one to say someone should not play, because you want everybody to be at full strength, right?”
Green was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and a $25,000 fine for kicking Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams between the legs — a costly scenario come Game 5 of the NBA Finals, in which he was suspended after accumulating his fourth flagrant foul of the postseason in an infamous altercation with James in Game 4.
James’ kick is not under investigation, a source told ESPN; but Iguodala insists that flailing of that kind happens quite frequently and doesn’t take it as a personal offense.
“What they say, Draymond did it how many times last year? … Throughout the whole season last year? They did a mix tape. It was like 100 [times]. Guys don’t even notice it,” Iguodala said. “So when it happens, guys are like [nothing]. Especially in that moment, adrenaline is flowing.”
Asked if he would like to see the same punishment for James as Green received last year, Iguodala took the smart way out.
“That’s not for me to decide, right?” he said. “Right?”