Jeff Green's potential?

[Interceptor]

in a heartbeat

Too soon bro, too soon.

[2short]

Jeff is our number one low post offensive player ESPECIALLY if going against second unit guys.  He can give us minutes at power forward in a running lineup (with kg at center).  But at the small forward spot he gives us really good size, he is a good defender and does a bit of everything.  I think he will turn into an Andre Iguadoa for us.  He will not be the hall of famer like pierce but will help us ate a bit.  No way he doesn't average double digit points, just with low post game and running with rondo good things will happen.  I would expect 14-15 pts, five rebounds and three assists.

i like the comparison but andre is a shutdown defender

Agree 100 percent, both iggy and deng are top notch defenders, all three guys are a good piece to a top notch team, none being THE guy

[CelticsFanNC]

In his last three OKC years his per-36 scoring averages were 14.7, 14.8 and 14.8. He averaged 14.9 with Boston.

His PERs in his last three OKC years were 13.8, 12.9 and 12.9. His PER with the Celtics was 12.9.

Rebounds? 5.8, 5.3 and 5.4. Then, 5.1 with the Celts.

Assists? 1.6, 1.6 and 1.8. Then, 1.1 with the Celts.

Pick any stat you want, and he has performed at the exact same level for four years now. He's reached his potential.

The only hope I see, and it's a long shot (no pun intended), is for him to become a better 3 point shooter. He is really mediocre (30%), but did shoot 39% in his second year.

If he can shoot 38% or even 35% from 3, he becomes a starting-caliber player in the NBA comparable to Nic Batum.

If not, he is a career bench guy.

  Rajon Rondo has extended the viability of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen by getting them easier looks then they had ever gotten in their careers.  He did that even though they didn't want to run the court with him.   He made them more efficient then they have ever been in their HOF careers.   

  OKC doesn't have that kind of facilitator and never did during Green's time there.  If Green runs the court you can throw out most if not all of his offensive statistics in OKC because Rondo will raise Green's game.

[J_Mill35]

Once again all those stats are good, but I think He was not placed in the best situation to succeed.  Now that he has a full offseason with the C's  and should play more SF over PF we will see. 

I can always pray
I've heard this so many times and there's just no basis for it.

First of all, he's going to split time between PF and SF here too. Pierce averaged 34 mpg last year. Unless you think Green is playing 14 minutes per game total, the rest of his minutes must be at PF, and if you think he's going to average 30mpg total, that means 16 are at PF. It won't change much even with a slight decline in Pierce's minutes.

Second, his numbers here and at OKC were never all that much better when he was on the court as an SF. Go to 82games.com and look at the splits by position. If anything, he's a significantly worse offensive player at SF (though better on defense).

Third, how was his "role" so bad in OKC? How was he not in a "situation to succeed"? I mean, you can make those claims, but what facts are they based on? You think Scotty Brooks (who won coach of the year in 09-10, by the way) was consistently mis-using Green in some way? How?

He's a nice NBA-level player. Borderline starter. But he's not going to magically morph into something he hasn't been for the first four years of his career.

[GreenEnvy]

Once again all those stats are good, but I think He was not placed in the best situation to succeed.  Now that he has a full offseason with the C's  and should play more SF over PF we will see. 

I've heard this so many times and there's just no basis for it.

First of all, he's going to split time between PF and SF here too. Pierce averaged 34 mpg last year. Unless you think Green is playing 14 minutes per game total, the rest of his minutes must be at PF, and if you think he's going to average 30mpg total, that means 16 are at PF. It won't change much even with a slight decline in Pierce's minutes.

Second, his numbers here and at OKC were never all that much better when he was on the court as an SF. Go to 82games.com and look at the splits by position. If anything, he's a significantly worse offensive player at SF (though better on defense).

Third, how was his "role" so bad in OKC? How was he not in a "situation to succeed"? I mean, you can make those claims, but what facts are they based on? You think Scotty Brooks (who won coach of the year in 09-10, by the way) was consistently mis-using Green in some way? How?

He's a nice NBA-level player. Borderline starter. But he's not going to magically morph into something he hasn't been for the first four years of his career.

Nobody knows how many minutes anyone is getting anywhere, but if we assume he is gonna see close to 30 mpg, the one thing we know is very little of them will be against starting PF's.

His situation in OKC did not put him in a position to succeed. He was placed, out of position, in a lineup that featured a scoring champ and one of the highest volume-shooting-PG's in Westbrook. He didn't have the luxury of picking and choosing when to attack on offense.

He now has superior teammates (in terms of leadership and unselfishness), a superior coach (who can teach him more than just X's and O's), and Rondo. With a full camp, Rondo and Doc will figure out where and when to get him the ball.

I firmly believe he will be a very good player for us for the entire length of his contract. I don't get why people act like this is a max contract or something. With the money that I've seen thrown around at guys in the past (and even this summer), $9 million is not that much.

DA did not overpay for this guy, he has all the tools to be a great player. His career is going to take off, just watch.

[bfrombleacher]

I agree with those who say "wait and see".

Most of his career was spent out of position at the PF, then suddenly traded for a beloved glue guy mid-season.

I've always been wondering at the back of my mind what the locker room looked like after the trade. I don't think they'd be scowling at JG but there ought to be a lot of awkward silences though.

In Danny I trust.

[Galeto]

Rajon Rondo has extended the viability of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen by getting them easier looks then they had ever gotten in their careers.

Rondo's singlehandedly extended the viability of Pierce, KG and Ray? Really?  They've been just fine when Rondo's been out.  It overrates Rondo and underrates everyone to say Rondo's been their puppet master.  It's true that their efficiency has gone up during this period but couldn't that also be due to using fewer possessions, which tends to increase efficiency?  Ray and Pierce had a trackrecord of great efficiency even before coming together while KG's definitely benefited not from just Rondo but having multiple playmakers around him.

The point is, Rondo is not going to make Green a very good player by himself.  Saying that Green will just run with Rondo to being a good player really simplifies the NBA.  I didn't realize NBA basketball was so easy and full of shoddy transition defense.

Also, to take advantage of Green's speed, he would be better off playing PF but then you run into problems with his rebounding and defense. 

[vjcsmoke]

So far Green looks like a Jack who is still trying to fit in.  He doesn't have the freakish defense of an Avery Bradley.  He doesn't offer the killer finishing ability of a Paul Pierce.  But he could be a useful player.  Hopefully he'll be like a more talented James Posey.  That guy was a key player on our championship team.  9m per season is a bit much for a 'glue' guy, but he can give us valuable backup minutes for PP and also swing to backup the 4.

In the end I don't see Jeff Green as a starter but a valuable rotational player.  If he could up his intensity and defense he would help even more.  If he could increase his rebounding ability, well that would help a lot.  But if not, I see Sullinger eventually taking that role.

To me Green represents depth plus a sizable contract that can be traded down the road if need be for a valuable piece if we find one available at the trade deadline.

[FatjohnReturns]

Once again all those stats are good, but I think He was not placed in the best situation to succeed.  Now that he has a full offseason with the C's  and should play more SF over PF we will see. 

I've heard this so many times and there's just no basis for it.

First of all, he's going to split time between PF and SF here too. Pierce averaged 34 mpg last year. Unless you think Green is playing 14 minutes per game total, the rest of his minutes must be at PF, and if you think he's going to average 30mpg total, that means 16 are at PF. It won't change much even with a slight decline in Pierce's minutes.

Second, his numbers here and at OKC were never all that much better when he was on the court as an SF. Go to 82games.com and look at the splits by position. If anything, he's a significantly worse offensive player at SF (though better on defense).

Third, how was his "role" so bad in OKC? How was he not in a "situation to succeed"? I mean, you can make those claims, but what facts are they based on? You think Scotty Brooks (who won coach of the year in 09-10, by the way) was consistently mis-using Green in some way? How?

He's a nice NBA-level player. Borderline starter. But he's not going to magically morph into something he hasn't been for the first four years of his career.

Nobody knows how many minutes anyone is getting anywhere, but if we assume he is gonna see close to 30 mpg, the one thing we know is very little of them will be against starting PF's.

His situation in OKC did not put him in a position to succeed. He was placed, out of position, in a lineup that featured a scoring champ and one of the highest volume-shooting-PG's in Westbrook. He didn't have the luxury of picking and choosing when to attack on offense.

He now has superior teammates (in terms of leadership and unselfishness), a superior coach (who can teach him more than just X's and O's), and Rondo. With a full camp, Rondo and Doc will figure out where and when to get him the ball.

I firmly believe he will be a very good player for us for the entire length of his contract. I don't get why people act like this is a max contract or something. With the money that I've seen thrown around at guys in the past (and even this summer), $9 million is not that much.

DA did not overpay for this guy, he has all the tools to be a great player. His career is going to take off, just watch.

great post and I agree except for this the idea that we have a superior coach.
Scott Brooks >Doc Rivers

[CelticsFanNC]

Rajon Rondo has extended the viability of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen by getting them easier looks then they had ever gotten in their careers.

Rondo's singlehandedly extended the viability of Pierce, KG and Ray? Really?  They've been just fine when Rondo's been out.  It overrates Rondo and underrates everyone to say Rondo's been their puppet master.

  Do you know of a single person who honestly thought that the Big Three would still be viable title contenders in year 5 of a 3 year plan?   I don't.  Not a single one.

 What is the single biggest and  most important reason why they were still a viable title contenders a full two seasons after anyone thought they would be?  The development of Rajon Rondo into the NBA's premiere facilitator. 

  Puppet Master, no not really but he makes the players around him better by getting them easy looks exactly where they want them. 

  Is there anything incorrect about that?  Is there anything at this point even debatable about that?

  Rondo doesn't just get guys easy looks in transition he does it in the half court as well.  Green just happens to be the  type grey hound Rondo needs to thrive in the open court.

[blastoidesroidsnoids]

Once again all those stats are good, but I think He was not placed in the best situation to succeed.  Now that he has a full offseason with the C's  and should play more SF over PF we will see. 

I've heard this so many times and there's just no basis for it.

First of all, he's going to split time between PF and SF here too. Pierce averaged 34 mpg last year. Unless you think Green is playing 14 minutes per game total, the rest of his minutes must be at PF, and if you think he's going to average 30mpg total, that means 16 are at PF. It won't change much even with a slight decline in Pierce's minutes.

Second, his numbers here and at OKC were never all that much better when he was on the court as an SF. Go to 82games.com and look at the splits by position. If anything, he's a significantly worse offensive player at SF (though better on defense).

Third, how was his "role" so bad in OKC? How was he not in a "situation to succeed"? I mean, you can make those claims, but what facts are they based on? You think Scotty Brooks (who won coach of the year in 09-10, by the way) was consistently mis-using Green in some way? How?

He's a nice NBA-level player. Borderline starter. But he's not going to magically morph into something he hasn't been for the first four years of his career.

Nobody knows how many minutes anyone is getting anywhere, but if we assume he is gonna see close to 30 mpg, the one thing we know is very little of them will be against starting PF's.

His situation in OKC did not put him in a position to succeed. He was placed, out of position, in a lineup that featured a scoring champ and one of the highest volume-shooting-PG's in Westbrook. He didn't have the luxury of picking and choosing when to attack on offense.

He now has superior teammates (in terms of leadership and unselfishness), a superior coach (who can teach him more than just X's and O's), and Rondo. With a full camp, Rondo and Doc will figure out where and when to get him the ball.

I firmly believe he will be a very good player for us for the entire length of his contract. I don't get why people act like this is a max contract or something. With the money that I've seen thrown around at guys in the past (and even this summer), $9 million is not that much.

DA did not overpay for this guy, he has all the tools to be a great player. His career is going to take off, just watch.

great post and I agree except for this the idea that we have a superior coach.
Scott Brooks >Doc Rivers

no sir

[bfrombleacher]

Rajon Rondo has extended the viability of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen by getting them easier looks then they had ever gotten in their careers.

Rondo's singlehandedly extended the viability of Pierce, KG and Ray? Really?  They've been just fine when Rondo's been out.  It overrates Rondo and underrates everyone to say Rondo's been their puppet master.

  Do you know of a single person who honestly thought that the Big Three would still be viable title contenders in years 5 of a 3 years plan?   I don't.

 What is the single most important reason why they were still a viable title contender a full two seasons after anyone thought they would be?  The development of Rajon Rondo into the NBA premiere facilitator. 

  Puppet Master, no not really but he makes the players around him better by getting them easy looks exactly where they want them. 

  Is there anything incorrect about that?

NOPE! Your opinion is different from mine. Therefore it is wrong. Rondo is not a good player and that is a fact because he does not have a jumpshot and does not have as many highlight acrobatic layups/dunks as Derrick Rose.

[Roy H.]

For all my CB Draft peeps:  Jeff Green has the potential to be the second best player in the league. 

[Galeto]

Do you know of a single person who honestly thought that the Big Three would still be viable title contenders in year 5 of a 3 year plan?   I don't.  Not a single one.

 What is the single biggest and  most important reason why they were still a viable title contenders a full two seasons after anyone thought they would be?  The development of Rajon Rondo into the NBA's premiere facilitator. 

Did a single person think Nash would be playing at the level he still is?  How about Duncan after some slowed years?  How have they managed without a Rondo?  Instead of saying Rondo is engineering their continued relevance, how about giving Pierce, Garnett and Ray some more credit.  That's all.  Sure they've slowed down but their craftiness, skill level and dedication to their jobs plays a big part in keeping them viable.  When Rondo's been out, these creaky future HOFs haven't exactly wilted.

More than Rondo, the single biggest player keeping the Celtics viable has been Garnett because while their offense has devolved into an inefficient machine the last three years, they've still been good to great because of their defense. Since Garnett is the biggest reason for the D, I think he deserves a pretty big share of the credit. 

[Celts Fan 92]

i think he got da potential to average 20+ppg he like 25 if im not mistaken nd he's averaged 16ppg for his career once Pierce nd KG retire i can see his points increasing as he enters his prime