Draymond Green is not buying into the hoopla of a possible 16-0 postseason run.
Sitting only two games away from a second championship in three years, the Golden State Warriors forward knows it's too early to smell the roses, as his team has two tough road games ahead before being able to make history.
Going back to last year's record-breaking season, Green knows exactly what comes with chasing and breaking records — but will rather keep his eyes on the prize, instead of letting another championship slip away from his grasp.
“We made that mistake of circling 73 [wins] and worrying about the wrong thing before,” Green told ESPN's Chris Haynes in reference to the Warriors' record-setting 73-win season.
“It doesn't matter,” Green said of a potential undefeated postseason run. “It would be great, a great story. … [But] if we were able to do that, I don't think when I talk about a championship I'd say we were the only team to go 16-0. I think I'd say we won a championship. That's all that matters.”
The Warriors were also up 2-0 over the Cleveland Cavaliers in last year's NBA Finals, but ended up surrendering a 3-1 lead and finished a historic season without the main prize.
While many thought the addition of Kevin Durant wouldn't be seen as an improvement at the beginning of the season, unless the team managed to surpass the 73-win record set in 2015-16 — most have come to the realization that this team can indeed one-up last season's by becoming the first to showcase complete dominance to the tune of 16-0.
Many have argued that that would put them in a conversation with the 1995-86 Chicago Bulls for the greatest team in history, notion which Green was quick to shut down.
“I don't think it ends the argument. Two different eras, playing against different teams,” Green said. “To say if we were to go 16-0, we beat four teams (four) times in a row. But they weren't the four teams they had to beat.”
“I still don't think there is a comparison to make. Only thing you can measure is the numbers. Everyone wants to make history, but I want to win four games. I just want to win four games. Championship is history. That is the only history we need to make.”