Can Green guard Bosh effectively?

[action781]

Tale of the Tape
Jeff Green - 6'9" 235 lbs
Chris Bosh - 6'11" 235 lbs

I was thinking about Miami/Boston matchups today and I thought about how I really like Pierce guarding Lebron and while KG defends Bosh very well, I don't like Bosh pulling KG out 18+ feet away from the hoop with no other defenders on this team capable of protecting the rim.  When the Heat play Bosh at C, we won't have much choice but to put KG on him.  But when Anthony or Haslem are in the game alongside Bosh, if Green is in the game at PF, can he guard Bosh effectively to allow KG to play more near the hoop?

What are your thoughts and do any of you savvy with basketball-reference and 82games.com have any data (while I imagine it'd be a small sample size) of what has happened when Jeff Green has guarded Chris Bosh?

[Who]

I would expect so. Bosh should get a little more joy in the post but nothing you can't live with. Not a strong enough post player to destroy your defense.

I think I only saw Bosh play against OKC once when with the Raptors (2009/10 in OKC). Bosh had a great game against them but it was at the center position. I think Bosh played against OKC once with Miami prior to the Kendrick Perkins for Jeff Green trade. I can't remember much about that game other than it was a close game. But I'd expect they were matched up against one another that night.

[kp4000]

During the 2011 playoff series BOS/MIA I thought Green did a not great, but decent job guarding Bosh, especially in game 3. I think Green has the quickness to keep up with Chris. Chris Bosh is some what of a unique player.

He's tall and is considered a PF, but plays more like a small forward. He's a spot up shooter and pick-n-pop, and usually doesn't play with his back to the basket like KG, Gasol, Aldridge, Boozer or Dirk.

[GreenEnvy]

Tale of the Tape
Jeff Green - 6'9" 235 lbs
Chris Bosh - 6'11" 235 lbs

I was thinking about Miami/Boston matchups today and I thought about how I really like Pierce guarding Lebron and while KG defends Bosh very well, I don't like Bosh pulling KG out 18+ feet away from the hoop with no other defenders on this team capable of protecting the rim.  When the Heat play Bosh at C, we won't have much choice but to put KG on him.  But when Anthony or Haslem are in the game alongside Bosh, if Green is in the game at PF, can he guard Bosh effectively to allow KG to play more near the hoop?

What are your thoughts and do any of you savvy with basketball-reference and 82games.com have any data (while I imagine it'd be a small sample size) of what has happened when Jeff Green has guarded Chris Bosh?

I think he can. Bosh isn't particularly strong, to say the least. Yes, he's a little taller, but Green is more athletic and quicker.

The problem with Bosh is when he gets free, he does sneaky things, whether its an open jumper or a putback. Keep a man in him and he will rarely hurt you repeatedly. Problem is, with Wade and LeBron, he gets free a lot of their blow-by penetration.

I think Bradley will rarely, if ever, need help with Wade. So, as always, its LeBron. Can Pierce keep him in the stratosphere for 35 minutes?

Green and Bass I am confident can both guard Bosh, and I think Miami knows that. So they will play small and force us to waste KG on him, putting Green (no more Bass on LBJ, please) on James at PF. Which would be good in a way because Pierce wouldn't have to exert so much energy on D against Miller, Jones, or Battier. As mentioned, AB should handle Wade on his own, and Rondo only has to stay attached to Chalmers, he can't beat him off the dribble, only wide open catch-and-shoots.

Green is a huge weapon against Miami.

[pearljammer10]

I dont know. Being a big man who likes to shoot outside or turn and fade away, even those two extra inches Bosh has on Green will be huge. I mean, look what KG does to smaller defenders even if it isnt much.

Green will be a better defensive option than Bass for Bosh and Bosh really doesnt scare me so I guess we will see what happens.

[ManUp]

Let's see.

Green = Putrid defender against 4s/PFs

Bosh = All-star 4/PF

short story shorter, no he can't.

[billysan]

To the OP, Green will do fine against Bosh from 20 feet in to the paint IMO if he bodies him up. Bosh will look to shoot over him and (certainly will Bass) have some luck doing it from 20 feet out. This is Bosh's strength, being quicker, longer and able to outjump most of the other bigs in the NBA. We have the luxury of a guy named KG on our roster who has always destroyed Bosh when they play head to head. Trouble is, if KG is helping a lot on another player (Lebron) then Bosh gets a lot more points if he gets the ball.

In general, Bass is not a good option to play against Bosh on any occasion IMO. Bosh is simply too long and the Heat will look to have him score over any big that size. KG has to cover Bosh if he is playing center for the Heat. Green or Pierce can take turns on Lebron. Bass will be most effective against Haslem and possibly Battier IMO.

[bello_man09]

i am really thinking what our starting 5 is going to look like by the end of the year....I think the only way Green is successful against bosh is to be more physical than bosh...which is hard to say...because Green is not known for been physical.

[green7]

he shouldn't play PF period

[xmuscularghandix]

Jeff Green the power forward needs to end. It's time for Jeff Green the giant SF.

[GreenFaith1819]

In stretches, this is not a bad idea, at all.

The man has some experience guarding PFs in the western conference...the results weren't great, but I'd trust him on Bosh for limited stretches.

[action781]

he shouldn't play PF period

Jeff Green the power forward needs to end. It's time for Jeff Green the giant SF.

So, should Jeff Green play 18 minutes per game?  And less come playoff time?

[action781]

Bosh will look to shoot over him and (certainly will Bass) have some luck doing it from 20 feet out. This is Bosh's strength, being quicker, longer and able to outjump most of the other bigs in the NBA. We have the luxury of a guy named KG on our roster who has always destroyed Bosh when they play head to head. Trouble is, if KG is helping a lot on another player (Lebron) then Bosh gets a lot more points if he gets the ball.

This essentially addresses my main question:

Bosh will have an ability to shoot over Green, which plays to his strengths.  KG can eliminate this.  Does allowing KG to play off of Bosh and protect the rim outweigh what Bosh can do on Green?  Or can Green do a good enough job on Bosh so that we'd stick with that matchup to allow KG to protect the rim?

[AB_Celtic]

Is this totally nuts?
...
PG: Rondo
SG: Pierce/Bradley
SF: Green
PF: Garnett
C: Collins

Defensive assignments:
Rondo on Chalmers
Pierce/Bradley on Wade
Green on LeBron
Garnett on Bosh
Collins on whoever's at the 5

Switching up Pierce and Bradley gives us a good combo of shooting/scoring (which we need with Collins on the floor) and defense. It also keeps Wade out of a groove, having to switch off between the pest that is AB and the stronger PP. Also, this gives us more size all around, greatly lowering the chances that Bosh has somebody to shoot over (especially with KG on him). Green can do his best against LeBron, but there's backup at the rim if he needs it.

Be gentle, people.

[Vermont Green]

Is this totally nuts?
...
PG: Rondo
SG: Pierce/Bradley
SF: Green
PF: Garnett
C: Collins

Defensive assignments:
Rondo on Chalmers
Pierce/Bradley on Wade
Green on LeBron
Garnett on Bosh
Collins on whoever's at the 5

Switching up Pierce and Bradley gives us a good combo of shooting/scoring (which we need with Collins on the floor) and defense. It also keeps Wade out of a groove, having to switch off between the pest that is AB and the stronger PP. Also, this gives us more size all around, greatly lowering the chances that Bosh has somebody to shoot over (especially with KG on him). Green can do his best against LeBron, but there's backup at the rim if he needs it.

Be gentle, people.

I actually really like the big line-up with Pierce at the 2 and so on but not necessarily against Miami.

I do think we will see that line-up fairly often but Collins will only play 12-16 min.