Draymond: 'I don't regret' punching LeBron's nether regions in 2016 Finals

Though the increasingly-high likelihood of the Warriors' second championship in three years might have Draymond Green looking at the past through rose-colored glasses, the forward insists that he has no regrets about punching LeBron James in the groin in last year's championship series.

In a piece by ESPN's Zach Lowe, Green details his thoughts about the infraction that ultimately triggered his suspension for Game 5 of the 2016 Finals.

"That play?" Green said in a chat with ESPN.com, his voice rising. "I don't regret it. Like, I just don't. Some would say maybe I'm wrong for not regretting it. I don't live my life with regrets. I move on. It was never like, 'Oh man, I cost these guys a championship.' Now, do I believe in my heart that I did cost us? Yeah, I do. Absolutely. But I still don't regret that play."

James and the Cavaliers would use Green's absence to spark their incredible comeback after trailing the Warriors 3-1 in the series.

The Warriors' locker room was far from pleased with Green's actions, believing that his mercurial behavior on basketball's grandest stage cost them a shot at capping their 73-win season with their second straight NBA championship.

"Initially, we were upset," Warriors guard Shaun Livingston told Lowe. "Especially during that moment when we didn't know if he would be suspended. It was like, 'Come on, man. You have to be smarter.'"

Despite the monumental screw-up, the players were able to move on without much lingering resentment toward Green. And if they can end 2017 with a sweep of the Cavaliers, Green's actions in last year's playoffs will pale in comparison to a historic, unblemished 16-0 postseason run.