2016 NBA Finals Updates & Rumors: Former Referee Says League Suspended Warriors’ Draymond Green To Extend Series

By Carlo Monzon
Draymond Green
Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the third quarter in game four of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena.  Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Donaghy, a former referee for the NBA, claims that the league intentionally suspended Draymond Green in order to prolong the championship series between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. He also alleged that the league typically favors teams trailing behind in the series to extend it.

During Game 5 of the finals, Green was not able to play with the rest of the Warriors due to the one-game suspension imposed on him by the NBA. This was the result of his accumulated flagrant fouls during the playoffs.

However, according to Donaghy, Green has committed more serious offenses before. However, the former ref insinuated that the NBA may have only acted upon them now in order to give the Cavs a chance in claiming their second victory against the Warriors, which then forced the series to enter into Game 6.

"I think when you look at the overt acts that Green has committed before, they were definitely more severe than this act, and yet he's going to end up with a flagrant foul and suspension because of it," Donaghy told Sports Illustrated.

"In the past, I believe it was disregarded because [the Warriors] were down in the series," he added. "Here, they're up in the series, so I think it's a situation where, with that, it gives Cleveland a better chance of prolonging the series."

Donaghy, who was removed from the NBA in 2007 due to his participation in a gambling scheme, also provided insider information on how the league allegedly manages its referees. He said that the league instructs its officials to favor team that are trailing behind in a series.

"Definitely indirectly with the tape sessions that took place and how they would show you plays that they wanted you to concentrate on in the game," he said. "It was always a situation where the team down in the series was going to benefit from those calls."

The NBA has not yet responded to the allegations made by Donaghy but they're definitely worth looking into especially since they involve tampering with fair play for any team.

As for the Cavs and Warriors, both are scheduled to head into Game 6 which will take place on June 16 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

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