One of the "best ever" isn't going to happen, unless you define that phrase very, very broadly.
yeah but you didn't even think JG would amount to what he's become now, so who knows what that even means
What is he now?
He is a guy who since the all star break is averaging 17.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 BPG, on 50.7 FG% and 43.3% on threes. In 7 consecutive starts he's averaging 21.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 BPG, 53 FG%, 50% on threes. Of course there is a chance he won't continue this type of play, but to me he is trending to at least a borderline all star as he starts to enter the prime of his career, and somehow who is gaining confidence starting to play out of the shadows of Durant earlier in his career(where they really don't play team ball), Pierce now, not to mention other vets when got him.
So I'd say now he is much better than mediocre than some people have claimed he would always be.
Does "borderline all-star" and "better than mediocre" project to "one of the best ever"?
His stats since the break are more than all star worthy. If he can sustain this for the first half the year next year I think he's closer to a lock than borderline
Edit: but definitely no where near one of the best of all time
Yeah, that's all I'm saying. He's playing at about the same level as Luol Deng has in his peak years. That's a useful player -- in some seasons, even an all-star -- but it's not close to one of the "best ever".
Which is why in my very first statement in this thread I said I thought KG would have more credibility saying All-Star than best ever and why I believe he isn't 100% sincere about the statement and was using it to compliment and motivate his team mate(pumping the tires) when he knew he was going to be on an island by himself for another game.
Remember, Green's first game in the situation he was put in in the Cleveland game, he disappeared in and was a complete non-factor and the Celtics lost? Two games later the same situation is happening and KG comes out with this statement just before game time? He was trying to motivate the troops and Green in particular. It worked. Green played well and a couple of other guys but a bunch of others didn't and the Celtics lost to another one of the worst teams in the league this year.
What is that now? 2 losses each this year to the Bobcats, Hornets, Cavs, Sixers and Pistons and 1 loss each to Sactown and Minnesota. None of those losses are on Green though I am sure he shares in the responsibility with just about everyone else in the organization that allow so many bad losses.