Danny Green recalls Klay’s injury in 2019 Finals, Warriors villain tag originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
It’s been about five years since Klay Thompson tore his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, and Danny Green still thinks about the pain he caused him, the Warriors and their fan base.
Green, of course, accidentally caused the ACL tear when he fouled the Golden State guard on an emotional night in which the Raptors left Oracle Arena as NBA champions for the first time.
Speaking to Draymond Green on “The Draymond Green Show” on Friday, Danny recalled the game and the aftermath that has since clouded his NBA career.
“I appreciate you, man,” Danny told Draymond. “I appreciate you having me. I’m glad there’s some kind of love on that side of the coast, well, in the Bay Area, I guess. Earlier today I was asked — I was working on a radio hit — “Is there an organization you hate?” I couldn’t think of one until [it] It was tweeted that I was on your show. And I’m like, ‘Damn.’ There’s only one organization where the fans say, ‘No.’ They don’t mess with it.
“But I understand it. I understand it. Five years ago I was hoping some of them would forget it or let it go. I’m not a dirty player.”
The former Raptors guard is well aware of how Dub Nation receives him. He is also known for wishing the play had never happened.
Fortunately, Thompson was able to return to the NBA — even after suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in 2020 — and help the Warriors beat the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals. It should take some pressure off the three-time NBA champion, knowing that Thompson’s career was not over at that point and was instead thriving.
Danny hopes Warriors fans can now see him in a better light as the dust has settled somewhat. Golden State players who played in the 2019 Finals, like Draymond and Andre Iguodala, never looked sideways at Danny either, for what it was worth.
Regardless, Danny made it clear that he has nothing but love for Dub Nation, and he greatly admires Draymond for persevering. Real negativity from virtually all NBA fans on a nightly basis.
“I couldn’t imagine what it’s like to be the bad guy in every arena every night,” Danny told Draymond. “So lots of flowers, lots of compliments for you, brother. The only [fan base] I don’t like that at all, Golden State fans, but still, much love to fans everywhere. No love lost.”
The Greens agree there are no hard feelings about what happened during the 2019 NBA Finals.
Hopefully Dub Nation can collectively join in the peace and harmony.
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