G League Alum Danny Green Still On Cusp Of Third NBA Title Despite Struggles
G League alum Danny Green may be in a shooting slump, but he's still finding ways to compete and contribute in the NBA Finals.
LeBron James and Danny Green are one win away from their fourth and third NBA titles, respectively. The pair has helped the Lakers take a 3-1 lead over the Heat heading into Game 5, but this isn’t the first time they have been teammates.
A decade ago, Green spent his rookie year with the Cavaliers in 2009-10. As James went on to win his first of what has become four Most Valuable Player awards and inched closer to a remarkable stretch of nine NBA Finals appearances in the next ten seasons, Green had a front-row seat, watching the birth of true greatness from the bench while only appearing in 20 games (averaging 2 points).
Needless to say, that season was much less glamorous and far less memorable for Green.
James has gone on to compete on basketball’s biggest and brightest stage nearly each and every year. Despite having relatively thin depth at the shooting guard position, Cleveland cut Green, leaving his own lasting impact on the game in question.
Then-coach of the Reno Bighorns Eric Musselman praised Green for his early perseverance, questioning the Cavaliers’ decision. “They still waived him. He swallowed his pride and came down to the NBA G League. He did what we asked and followed a plan.”
Such a plan included suiting up in Reno alongside future NBA notables like Hassan Whiteside and Jeremy Lin. Of course, no one knew what the future held at the time. Green kept his head down, put in the work, and paid his dues. He averaged an impressive 20.1 points on 45% from the field and 43% from deep through 16 games.
Such a showing created a springboard for Green to solidify a career highlighted by big time victories. Green has two NBA championships to his credit and set a then-NBA Finals record for three-point field goals (27) in 2014.
Now like James, Green too is a familiar face on the grandest of platforms. But it’s worth recognizing the grind and the sweat it took to get here – the long overnight bus rides, the sharing of lowly hotel rooms and underwhelming per diem on the road. The sharpshooter endured the less than stellar conditions so he could reap the benefits later.
But first, he had to buy in to a mentality that would give way to success for players on his path.
“NBA people identify a skill that they might need — rebounding, the guys who grab the loose balls, or guards who distribute the ball and keep things moving — all those things become extremely important. It was stuff that we talked about every day, not just once and a while,” Coach Musselman said. “We found guys that were willing to be good teammates.”
Green is well known for his long-range prowess. He creates space. But what happens when the shots aren’t necessarily falling? Despite an under the radar bounce back effort with 10 points in Game 4, Green is shooting 20.8% from deep in The Finals.
Luckily for Green, the advice that Musselman and his Bighorns staff provided seems to be resonating with him even a decade later.
Green’s a proven winner (he was an NCAA champion in 2009 as well). He’s an incredibly selfless player who earned James’ respect both as a young teammate and later as a competitor, something that undoubtedly contributed to their Lakers reunion. After making the 2017 NBA All-Defensive Second Team, it’s clear Green will always hustle on the other end of the floor. One of his biggest plays in last year’s Finals wasn’t a clutch three, but a chase-down block.
Green averaged 8 points in the regular season (and a career-high 1.3 steals per contest), and is averaging 7.8 points in the postseason. He’s battling a hip injury and the emotions of being in the bubble.
The numbers may not be high, but the veteran’s value is clear. He knows how to win and handle pressure. That’s why he continues to see time on the floor. If he can channel that confidence and be aggressive with his shot, perhaps Green could be poised for a big Game 5.
The 33 year old’s time in the NBA G League helped transform him into the player he is today. He complements those around him nicely and earns their trust with winning plays on both ends of the floor.
Green has mastered these seemingly simple fundamentals – underrated skills – to help him find staying power in the NBA, and now he’s on the cusp of a third title, serving as a key component to multiple championship environments.