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Says a lot about what the NBA has become, hasn't it. You think Green would even make a European team? Green was drafted based on potential and potential only.
Heres my question how does a guy like say chuck hayes get a stable contract with good money about 2 mil a year or more, with absolutely no atheltic ability, no shot, no dribble, no free throws and no potential. yet a guy like green with all the athleticism in the world and the perfect nba body cant even stay on a single team for more than a year. wanna know how...heart and work ethic. no respect for players who have all the talent but dont wanna put in the work. dallas sucks
I agree, but it's also because of defense. Pretty much all the Hayes' weaknesses you mentioned were all offense related, and we know the game isn't all about offense. More than Hayes' determination, this shows that defense is indeed valued, even if it's a one dimensional defensive player.
Yes, it's Vecsey, so don't read if you'd rather not: http://www.nypost.com/seven/1021200...34526.htm?CMP=EMC-email_edition&DATE=10212008 GERALD MAKES STRIDES TO CHANGE HIS GAME October 21, 2008 "THE Gerald Green Show, 2-17-07." I found a T-shirt (Celtics green) with that inscription on it in the back of a bureau drawer the other day. On it there's a silhouette of the 6-foot-8 outlaw of gravity in mid-cloud about to execute an unnatural act on a non-consenting rim. Out of respect to how conscientiously Green is handling adversity, I decided to wear his shirt while composing today's column. Hopefully his inspiration helps me continue to improve my horizontal. In June 2005, the Houston schoolboy was selected No. 18 overall in the NBA Draft. Considering Green's freaky athleticism and downy outside touch, his two years as a Celtic proved remarkably nondescript. Other than when he represented them during All-Star Weekend in 2007, that is, when he consumed all comers and captivated the audience in the Jamboree. By far, that was the high point of Green's brief stay in Boston. At the same time (not that I was paying strict attention), from afar it appeared he was fitting in and catching on to Doc Rivers' program. After spending nine games in the Developmental League as a rookie and witnessing a minimal amount of minutes (374) in the NBA, he doubled his scoring average (10.4) and more than quadrupled his daylight (1,780) his sophomore season. Within the following 12 months, Green was included in the package (with Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair and two No. 1s) for Kevin Garnett, was traded to Houston, was released when Rick Adelman needed rebounding (finishing the season unwanted by 30 teams) and signed a free agent minimum guarantee with the Mavericks. Many players, particularly 21-year-olds with little success in the big leagues to fall back on and hug for dear life, would've been emotionally crushed by that demoralizing descent. How is anybody supposed to keep confidence from shattering beyond repair on impact from such a fleet free-fall into Nowhere Land? Green's response was positively bizarre. Instead of blaming the Celtics, Timberwolves and Rockets for his exile, he committed to strengthening his weaknesses. Providentially, he found a coach willing to throw him a profession preserver. Green had played well against some of Rick Carlisle's teams; his hiring by the Mavs coincided with Dallas' craving a player or three with more bounce to the ounce. "The dunk contest hurt Gerald," Carlisle said yesterday by phone. The same can be said for Harold (Baby Jordan) Minor, who prevailed twice, in 1993 and '95. "People looked at (Green) more as a side show than a real professional basketball player. He realized that and was willing to do something to change the perception. He was ready to do what had to be done." At the beginning of last summer, Carlisle defined what that entailed. Green hungrily co-signed the project, to upgrade his defense - footwork, balance and strength - and develop a practiced approach to the game. "Gerald always shot well. It's just that his jumper got overlooked because everyone was concentrating on his jumping," Carlisle said. "He lacked consistency in other areas. To this point, that's what I'm seeing." In six preseason games, Green is averaging 12 points in 13 minutes shooting 62 percent from the field and 45 from 3-point range. Against the Kings on Friday, he piled up 29 points on an assortment of long distance accuracy (four trifectas) and slashes into the gut of Sacramento's non-resistance. More importantly, perhaps, Green's attentiveness and activity on the other side of the ball hasn't gone unnoticed by the one person that matters. "I respect the fact that Gerald has had a rough go of it and he's reacted so well from such a humbling experience," Carlisle said. "He understands he must battle every day for the opportunity to play and that's good for him and it's good for us. "He's definitely making a case that he deserves some minutes. At the very least, he's a perfect energizer if we need to juice up the game. We plan to run a lot this season. "To this point," Carlisle qualified for the fourth or fifth time during our conversation, "Gerald is doing the thing he said he was going to do - become an all-around basketball player - when we got him. Bottom line, he's playing like a guy that has something to prove." I already feel myself leveling out longer. peter.vecsey@nypost.com
it's not vescey you need to listen to, but rick carlisle. and i'll trust his word over any of the guys on here who keep claiming gerald green doesn't have the tools to be a real player.
I am by no means a Mavs fan, but I think they will be alot better this year then most think. Kidd is not the Brett Farve of basketball, but his understanding of the game will alow him to be one of the top five point gaurds in the league again this year. With a new coach, Dirk, Kidd, Howard, and the rest of their squad, I won't be suprised if they contend for sixty wins this year. The Rockets and Lakers have more talent, but I put Dallas right behind those two teams in the west and only the Celtics in the East. They will have a very good season.
GG is playing tonight on NBA TV...right now if you want to see how he is doing. He looks totally different....very comfortable and explosive...DANG IT.. DD
Yeah I've been watching him lately, the guy is active and seems to be everywhere on the court. But it is just preseason.
Players do not play that much harder in the regular season, it is just that the better players play more minutes. The playoffs are where the real CARING starts. And I wanted Gerald Green back SOOOOO bad....just to have him around our professionals... He has Tmac like potential.... DD
It certainly could happen......Carlisle is supposedly very hard to work with, maybe he has grown some and will be more open to someone as accomplished as Kidd. GG has made that team I think. DD
Uhh...Kidd's hands aren't exactly clean when it comes to him and coaches...ask Byron Scott GG...meh whatever...
I know GG has had bad working habits, but his talent is immense. In the few games I have watched him this year in the preseason he has looked a lot more comfortable...still not great on D, but his shot has looked very good..... To me, it looks like he will eventually replace Stackhouse and Devean George in Dallas. DD
