During a segment where TNT’s panelists were asked to talk about the season’s big deadline deals, Green chose to praise his new teammate, Jimmy Butler. According to Green, Butler helped restore the Golden State Warriors’ belief that they could win every game. Then he dropped an unexpected bomb.
“He’s brought back that belief, and I think we can win the championship,” Green declared.
A stunned Adam Lefkoe asked Green to repeat his comments, but Green chose to clarify his comments with an even bolder declaration.
“I’m sorry, I said I think we’re going to win a championship, but I lied,” Green admitted. “We are going to win the championship.”
It’s a bold declaration, especially since the 28-27 Warriors are in 10th place in the Western Conference, barely hanging on to a spot in the play-in tournament. Trading for Butler has improved the team, though it’s still so shorthanded from trading four players for the six-time All-Star that it has to fill out its roster with G Leaguers like Kevin Knox.
But the Warriors have gained confidence that they can return to their former heights since Butler joined the team. They struck out in their pursuits of players like LeBron James, Lauri Markkanen, Paul George and others in the past year. Adding a star like Butler shows the Warriors are still committed to building a contender around Steph Curry, something that was somewhat in doubt after losing Klay Thompson and Chris Paul this summer in money-saving moves.
Will this blow up in Green’s face? Almost certainly. The Warriors have a tough road ahead of them to even make the playoffs, much less get through the loaded Western Conference. But Green is a player who thrives on challenging himself. If this statement fires up his team, it’s successful. It could fire up opponents, but Green has probably provoked them in other ways over his 13-year career.
Besides, it makes great television. And as Green’s NBA career winds down, he’s setting himself up for TV success, even if it doesn’t happen in May and June.
