With only a few hours left until Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals tips off, the tension is growing and is palpable. The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers will square off in the NBA Finals for the third year in a row. It marks the first time in NBA history that the same two teams are playing for the title three times in a row. Therefore, it's safe to say that this is a rivalry and no one can deny it.
It's been a while since we've seen two teams dominate the NBA the way the Warriors and the Cavaliers have done it over the past few years.
As they await for Thursday night's Game 1, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry joined the "Good Morning America" TV show on Wednesday for an interview.
'I don't hate the Cavaliers'
It was very interesting to hear what Golden State's stars had to say, in particular - Draymond Green. When asked whether or not he thinks that LeBron James is the greatest player of all time, this is what Green had to say, "It don't really matter. He can have that title (the GOAT), he just can't have this ring." Draymond added that he thinks LeBron has had an amazing career but he doesn't care about him being the greatest of all time. "The only thing I care about, is that they can't say LeBron is the 2017 NBA champion".
Draymond was also asked about what he thinks when people say there's beef and hatred between the Warriors and the Cavaliers, and this is how he responded, "I don't have beef with them (the Cavaliers), I don't hate them. It takes a lot of energy to hate someone."
"I don't have beef with [the Cavs]... I'm not going to spend my time hating Cleveland." - @Money23Green on the @Cavs ahead of the #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/iZkPQP1vaQ
— Good Morning America (@GMA) 31. svibnja 2017.
There's history between Green and James
Earlier this season, in October to be exact, NBA.com's David Aldridge sat down with Green and asked him about a potential matchup in the 2017 Finals against the Cavaliers.
Green went on to say that he wants "to destroy Cleveland" and to annihilate them if they meet in the 2017 NBA finals. That day has come, and Draymond will have to back his words up. He is known for his outspoken personality and eccentric behavior. Also, he doesn't shy away from the moment and trash talking as well.
The dynamic between Green and LeBron James will be fun to watch in this year's finals as these two players have history from the previous meetings.
During the Game 4 of last year's NBA finals, Green swung his fist near James' groin and earned a one-game suspension. Reportedly, he also called James a "b-word" during that game and from that point on, the momentum shifted in Cavs' favor. Warriors lost Games 5, 6 and 7 as they blew a 3-1 lead and Cleveland ended up winning the title.
No doubt last year's finals left a bitter taste in Green's mouth as he looks to redeem himself this time around. It won't be easy, since he'll go up against the best player in the world and one of the greatest to ever play the game - LeBron James.
