Warriors forward JaMychal Green appeared to take a page out of Dillon Brooks’ playbook.
Green called out LeBron James on social media after the Lakers star denied that he and his teammates are “looking for flopping opportunities” in the Western Conference semifinals series, which Los Angeles leads 3-2.
In a Thursday post on his Instagram Story, Green shared James’ quote about flopping with a cap emoji, implying that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is lying.
Green’s post came after Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he was disappointed that the Lakers were rewarded when they “took some flops” in Game 4 — a 104-101 Lakers win.
“I think we had three or four illegal screens called, and that was disappointing,” Kerr said after Game 4.
“The Lakers, they are a team that plays with a lot of gamesmanship, they understand how to generate some calls. I thought they took some flops and were rewarded.”
After Golden State defeated Los Angeles 121-106 in Game 5, James was asked about Kerr’s comments.
“I just know that we and our coaching staff and us players, we don’t work on flopping,” James said. “That’s not even a part of our game.
“Our game is to attack, attack the paint. We don’t mind physical contact, and we don’t shy away from it. [We’re] just not a team that goes out there looking for flopping opportunities. It’s not us. It’s never been.”
One “prominent” Lakers player had a fiery response to Kerr’s comments, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes — who texted the unnamed player to get a response about the situation.
“Let them b—h and complain, it shows weakness and frustration,” the player said, per Haynes.
The Lakers have a chance to close out the second-round series at home on Friday in Game 6.
It’ll be interesting to see if the referees will crack down in the elimination game as there has been heightened discussion about officiating, free throws, and flopping in the series.
Lakers big man Anthony Davis is probable for Game 6 after sustaining a head injury in the fourth quarter of Game 5.
Head coach Darvin Ham told reporters Thursday that Davis is not in concussion protocol after he was inadvertently elbowed near his temple by Warriors center Kevon Looney.
Meanwhile, NBA Twitter had fun with Green’s callout of James, with some people saying it was reminiscent of Brooks, who tried and failed to be the villain of the Grizzlies-Lakers first-round playoff series.
The former Memphis guard — who was reportedly informed by the team that he “will not be brought back under any circumstances” after the Lakers ousted the Grizzlies, 4-2, in the first round — called James “old and tired,” and implied he wasn’t as good as he used to be.
After that, Brooks’ production on the floor plummeted, with the 27-year-old missing key defensive assignments, among other errors.