After coming up short in Game 5, the Los Angeles Lakers will make their second attempt at capturing the 2020 NBA title as they take on the Miami Heat in Game 6.
One of the crucial plays that could have impacted the outcome of Game 5 was a missed 3-pointer from Danny Green, who had an open look at the top of the key as the Lakers trailed by one point with just nine seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
ONE PLAY: Did LeBron make the right choice in passing to Green?
During media availability ahead of Game 6, Green took time to speak on what he felt led to the miss and why his confidence won't waver.
Lakers' Danny Green on that shot he missed at the end of Game 5: "I had more time than I realized, should have taken more time...I'd give anything to get that shot back again, trust me." Still, he adds "any person that plays basketball knows it's never only on one play." pic.twitter.com/t1NC4dwA9J
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 11, 2020
"It was a good look," Green began. "I had more time than I realized, should have taken more time, probably rushed it a little bit, was a little off balance but we got a good look, we got a second opportunity and, if I could get that play back again, I'd give anything to get that shot back again, trust me."
Green, who is playing in his fifth NBA Finals, spoke with the wisdom of a player that has been on the biggest stage that many times: "You're gonna make some, you're gonna miss some – it's part of the game. I've been in that situation plenty of times, I've made some and I've missed some.
"Unfortunate it was for us to close out the series, it would have been great to win it but any person that plays sports, any person that plays basketball knows it doesn't come down to that last play. It's never only on one play."
Green's miss was recovered by Markieff Morris, who turned the ball over in an attempt to find Anthony Davis inside, forcing the Lakers to foul Jimmy Butler on the ensuing inbounds pass as they would ultimately lose the game by three points.
The 11-year veteran continued by providing a big picture look at the game overall, adding that there were things that Los Angeles could have done to avoid being down at that point in the game: "We could have done so many different things throughout that game – so many mistakes we made, so many things offensively and defensively we could have changed to where it didn't come down to the last play.
"No knock to them, they're a great ballclub, unbelievable team, they've been fighting but when we know we can play to our potential, and we play as good as we can, we're capable and it shouldn't come down to a one-play possession to close a game."
Green, who finished with eight points (on 2-for-5 shooting from deep) in Game 5, is shooting 33.3% from deep this postseason but has struggled some in the Finals, where his 3-point shooting has dipped to a 25.8% clip. Still, shooters shoot, and Green expressed that moments like those won't cause his confidence to waver as he added that "it was a good look, I'll take that look any other day.
"Obviously, you grow with mistakes and losses, you grow more. I looked at it plenty of times, I had a chance to see it, and it was a good look. I'm taking my time next time, if I have the same opportunity, better believe I'm going in with the same confidence – I'm not shaken at all (or) worried. I have a lot of confidence in our group and in myself because I've been in that situation plenty of times."
As the Lakers look to close out the series in Game 6, Green will again have plenty of opportunities to make a difference with his shot-making ability. Based on his comments to the media several hours before tip off, he sounds ready.
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