Article: "Two Years After Heart Surgery, Jeff Green Reflects." (1/10)

[BleedGreen1989]

The Boston Celtics' Jeff Green shouldn't even be here, really.

Green remains one of the polarizing figures in NBA discussions, an intriguing but frustrating player at age 27. 6-9, 235 with great length and athleticism, able to slice through defenders for dunks and ably if not effectively defend the superior wing players in this league, Green has developed his outside shot (he's shot an average of 38 percent the past two seasons) and become a solid veteran role player.

In Oklahoma City, he was part of a young core that at this point, featured four players franchises have built around to certain degrees: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Green, and James Harden. Green frustrated critics in Oklahoma City for being an undersized four who didn't shoot especially well and didn't rebound well enough for a power forward. Eventually, Green was traded for Kendrick Perkins in 2011.



In Boston, he's shown flashes, but never become "the guy." There are two things stunning about this.

1. The fact that Green can be moderately productive (15.9 points per game on 49.5 effective field goal percentage, 4.6 rebounds with a 14.0 PER) with almost no help talent-wise on the Celtics, in a role which it's clear he should not be in, and still draw such criticism.

And 2. that Jeff Green is doing this, playing in the NBA at this level, two years removed from major heart surgery. After the 2011 lockout ended, during a routine physical, it was discovered that Green had developed an aortic aneurysm. He missed the entire 2011-2012 season. Yet here he is.

In an interview with CBSSports.com this week, Green talked about what's plaguing the suddenly free-falling Celtics, how he improved his three-point shot, and what it's like living each day in the NBA after heart surgery. Plus ninjas and Beyonce.

I won't post the Q&A section but encourage you to check out the article.

http://mweb.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24404695/eob-qa-two-years-after-heart-surgery-jeff-greens-career-continues

[letsgoblue86]

"Im not that competitive"- Jeff Green

What I took from the article.