The Warriors blew a 3-1 lead. This phrase has been cast all over the internet gaining national attention. Even though, in fact, the Warriors did blow a 3-games-to-1 lead to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals, not many people know why nor do they understand how this event shaped what was to come over the next 12 months. The Warriors took a commanding 3-1 lead after a win on the road in game 4. They were coming back home to play game five in what should have been the final game in the series. However, in game 4, out of frustration, cleveland superstar Lebron James stepped over Warriors power forward Draymond Green. This caused Green to take a swipe at Lebron. Draymond had a history of suspensions and technical fouls, so the NBA suspended Draymond for game five of the Finals. This was one of the most controversial suspensions in sports history.

Many believe the suspension was without warrant and the NBA just gave the suspension to extend the series. Without one of their all stars, the Warriors lost game five at home and gave all momentum to the Cavs. They went on to lose in Cleveland in game 6. When they came back to Oakland for game 7, they had no momentum and lost the game in the closing minutes when Cleveland Guard Kyrie Irving hit a three over the outstretched arms of Warriors guard Steph Curry. The Warriors blew a 3-1 lead.

The events that followed had direct correlation to this series. Blowing leads became a regular occurrence in America. The Indians blew a 3-1 lead in the 2016 World Series, giving Chicago its first World Series in over 100 years. Then in the Super Bowl 51, the Falcons had a commanding 28-3 lead over the Patriots—only to watch Tom Brady take back the lead in the game’s closing moments in the greatest comeback in NFL history.

Arguably, the biggest blown lead in this past year was the presidential race lead that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton blew to Republican nominee Donald Trump. Clinton was the clear favorite to win throughout the entire campaign but saw the presidency slip through her grasp on election night in one of the most shocking defeats in the the history of American politics.

I don’t think all of this is coincidence; all these leads may have never been lost if NBA commissioner Adam Silver did not suspend Warrior Draymond Green from game 5 of the 2016 NBA finals.