Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James, while reliving the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2016 championship, revealed how he baited Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green into earning a technical foul that triggered a one-game suspension. While some NBA analysts predict James could return to the Cavs one last time this summer, LeBron discussed his battles against Green and the Warriors in the Finals.
“Yeah, of course. But that wasn’t the reason that I did that. I think I set a screen, he fell, I’m getting back into the play, and I stepped over him to get back into the play. It wasn’t like I had scored, and you know the way how guys step over their defender, like Allen Iverson. It was like, “I’m trying to get back into the play. Every possession matters.”
“I think he thought that I was doing that as disrespect, but it’s never been my forte. But of course, you know from watching the playoffs, everybody knows who the leader is in technicals. You watch the game, you know that. It worked in our favor, but it wasn’t like I was going into the game saying, “I know I can antagonize Draymond and get Draymond out of here so he won’t play in Game 5.”
It sounds as if Cavs’ LeBron James took advantage of the heated moment between him and Draymond Green. Still, Green and the Warriors had two chances to eliminate the Cavs in Games 6 and 7, and failed to do so.
LeBron James’ former Cavs teammates’ offseason prediction

Brett Davis-Imagn Images
2016 Cavs champion Iman Shumpert spoke on LeBron James’ future before this year’s playoffs, predicting that James will most likely stay with the Lakers rather than return to the Cavs. While fans would love to see the storybook ending of LeBron heading back home for a third and final time in hopes of capturing the franchise’s second title, Shumpert thinks he and the Lakers will iron things out during the offseason, he said, per ESPN’s Get Up.
“Yeah, not only does it sound like he wants to stay, I think he sounds like he’s willing to consider that they need to build a better team for those guys,” Shumpert said. “It’s not just about him anymore; he’s willing to take that back seat, but he’s willing to be along for the ride and still be LeBron James in that locker room.”
"It's not just about him anymore. He's willing to take that back seat, but he's willing to be along for the ride."@imanshumpert thinks LeBron James wants to stay in LA 👀 pic.twitter.com/mPfxehabgg
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 8, 2026
