View Full Version : PtR: A portrait of Danny Green
pookenstein
09-17-2014, 05:50 AM
Interesting read:
"Of all the fairy-tale redemption stories the 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs achieved, my favorite -- even more than Manu Ginobili or Tiago Splitter -- has to be Danny Green, even though it's a narrative that isn't all that well-known or recognized outside of our little corner of the world."
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/9/9/6114807/portrait-danny-green
Sorry if someone elso already posted it... :flag:
Fantastic article. :tu Never noticed that exchange between Pop and Green.
Here's how you can tell the writer is either a Spurs fan, or really did his homework:
It's always amusing to hear talking heads compare Leonard to former Spur Bruce Bowen when the better comp had been on the same roster all along. Leonard has size, length and most of all the kind of talent that Bowen couldn't dream of having. Green on the other hand is not an explosive, quick-twitch athlete. He's not coordinated enough to make layups consistently. Dribbling, to be kind, is an adventure. Perhaps no one in the NBA has air-balled more 10-foot floaters the past three seasons. To say that Green lacks typical NBA skills would be an understatement.
:lol
Who would've thought three years ago that this random pluck out of the DLeague (at a time when the Spurs were constantly shuffling through the Alonzo Gees, Garrett Temples, and Malik Hairstons of the league) would evolve to be a championship-caliber starting SG, not to mention a record-holder for Finals threes?
Thanks for posting.
anakha
09-17-2014, 09:03 AM
It's fascinating to know how much and how often Pop got on Green's case all season.
timtonymanu
09-17-2014, 11:40 AM
Green has quickly become one of my favorite all-time Spurs.
He had a great playoff run this year. Nice article.
Malik Hairston
09-17-2014, 11:44 AM
Some people here have mentioned this before, how Pop has taken the "Tony Parker" approach with Green, where he's very hard on him, stopping just short of Adrian Peterson tactics..
It may be a reason for the limitation on Green's minutes when he's struggling, too, it's the only logical explanation IMO(you could argue that he sat him for Belinelli early on for offensive purposes, but realistically, Green is just as good as him on offense in the Spurs system, if not better, tbh)..
Pop's approach seems to be working, as Green has had 2 of the greatest playoff shooting runs in NBA history since his disappearing act in 2012..
Some people here have mentioned this before, how Pop has taken the "Tony Parker" approach with Green, where he's very hard on him, stopping just short of Adrian Peterson tactics..
It may be a reason for the limitation on Green's minutes when he's struggling, too, it's the only logical explanation IMO(you could argue that he sat him for Belinelli early on for offensive purposes, but realistically, Green is just as good as him on offense in the Spurs system, if not better, tbh)..
Pop's approach seems to be working, as Green has had 2 of the greatest playoff shooting runs in NBA history since his disappearing act in 2012..
Pop really is a genius :lol
Its too bad Marco never really panned out, although we didn't need him.
anakha
09-17-2014, 04:49 PM
Pop really is a genius :lol
Its too bad Marco never really panned out, although we didn't need him.
You say this as if Belinelli had been a failure for years with the Spurs.
Ed Helicopter Jones
09-17-2014, 05:06 PM
Pop really is a genius :lol
Its too bad Marco never really panned out, although we didn't need him.
Marco was hugely instrumental in numerous regular season games, enabling us to secure the #1 seed while keeping Manu fresh for the playoffs. In my mind he was very successful even if his post season performance wasn't that great.
SupremeGuy
09-17-2014, 05:12 PM
I really hope we can convince him to stay here but I don't think we're going to be able to afford him at the price he's going to be asking... :(
Chinook
09-17-2014, 05:15 PM
Green's contract will really depend on next year. If the Spurs disappoint, he'll probably get about what Sef got. If they make the Finals again, he'll probably get closer to what Diaw got. If he has another record-breaking performance, he may get as much as Channing Frye. However, the only way I see anyone giving him a lot of money (that he'd go to) would be if the Knicks backed up the truck for him.
Cklbmk
09-17-2014, 06:14 PM
Green's contract will really depend on next year. If the Spurs disappoint, he'll probably get about what Sef got. If they make the Finals again, he'll probably get closer to what Diaw got. If he has another record-breaking performance, he may get as much as Channing Frye. However, the only way I see anyone giving him a lot of money (that he'd go to) would be if the Knicks backed up the truck for him.
He's arguably better than Klay Thompson. I feel like someone will make a redic offer for him
exstatic
09-17-2014, 06:45 PM
He's arguably better than Klay Thompson. I feel like someone will make a redic offer for him
We understand that. Most NBA GMs don't. They're a stupid group, most of whom think that placating fans is more important than making the right signing.
The thing that SA has going for them is that most teams that have money frankly suck, and Danny wouldn't help them, and most teams that Danny could help won't have money.
Silver&Black
09-17-2014, 08:26 PM
We understand that. Most NBA GMs don't. They're a stupid group, most of whom think that placating fans is more important than making the right signing.
Preach brother, Amen! Most GMs just want that "well I hired the biggest name out there" chip to fall back on in bad times. Like when their ass is bout to get fired. Even though "player x" fits into your system like a square peg in a round hole....
Mark in Austin
09-17-2014, 10:32 PM
The article points out something most reflections on the 2013 finals skip over in their eagerness to blame Ginobili (he deserves his share to be sure): Danny Green went from a brilliant first 5-ish games to absolutely horrendous final 2. If he had been even close to average in either of those two games the Spurs win the series. Hopefully Danny is smart enough to appreciate what got him over the hump. He's already said he wants to be a Spur for life, so unless somebody backs the truck up he should be re-signable. With the cap looking like it's going to go up significantly the Spurs will have the money to resign him. If he keeps his head on he's worth 6-7M a year.
Splits
09-17-2014, 10:33 PM
Danny is going to get PAID in free agency, unless he goes Ray Rice this year. Dude is an elite wing defender, an elite transition defender, and one of the best 3 pt shooters in the game. Dude averages 45% from range on 4.5 attempts/game in the playoffs the past 4 years! All while containing the best 2/3s the league has to offer in the biggest moments. Hopefully he takes an SA discount of around 8-9m/year but he will be offered 8 figures/yr by some teams.
Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard will terrorize the NBA's best backcourts for many years to come. They've already defeated DurACNE, Chimpbrook, Lebron, and Wade. Nothing will surprise these two anymore, tbh.
Chinook
09-17-2014, 10:45 PM
The article points out something most reflections on the 2013 finals skip over in their eagerness to blame Ginobili (he deserves his share to be sure): Danny Green went from a brilliant first 5-ish games to absolutely horrendous final 2. If he had been even close to average in either of those two games the Spurs win the series. Hopefully Danny is smart enough to appreciate what got him over the hump. He's already said he wants to be a Spur for life, so unless somebody backs the truck up he should be re-signable. With the cap looking like it's going to go up significantly the Spurs will have the money to resign him. If he keeps his head on he's worth 6-7M a year.
Nobody missed that point. People on ST tore into him, especially after those photos of him and Lebron surfaced. It certainly didn't go lost on Green, whose tweets after the series showed how hard his taking it.
I will say that I haven't heard Green express a desire to be a Spur for life. Rather, I recall him saying that he wanted to play for contenders his hole career and that he felt he owed the Spurs for taking him in in 2011. Debt paid, I imagine. I think he'll want to stay if the club looks good, and he may even give up some money if that's what it takes to land a premier free agent. But I don't think he'll be giving discounts for the hell of it.
Mark in Austin
09-17-2014, 11:03 PM
Nobody missed that point. People on ST tore into him, especially after those photos of him and Lebron surfaced. It certainly didn't go lost on Green, whose tweets after the series showed how hard his taking it.
I will say that I haven't heard Green express a desire to be a Spur for life. Rather, I recall him saying that he wanted to play for contenders his hole career and that he felt he owed the Spurs for taking him in in 2011. Debt paid, I imagine. I think he'll want to stay if the club looks good, and he may even give up some money if that's what it takes to land a premier free agent. But I don't think he'll be giving discounts for the hell of it.
At the time, sure he caught hell. But the evolving shorthand on the 2013 finals has become "Turnobili lost the series" and "Manu owes us from 2006 and 2013". These days not very many people mention Green's generous contributions to the collapse. I can't remember exactly when I heard the Spur for life comment. Seems like it might have been a youtube video of somebody asking green of he wanted to stay in SA? I don't expect him to take a Duncan sized pay cut or anything, nor should he. But I'm sure he realizes how being in SA has brought out the best in him and hopefully he values that. Some players don't or have other priorities (Jack the first time). 4 years 30 million might be a discount, will have to see what he does this season. But guys who have to be coached that hard rarely live up to huge contracts once they get them. At least in Green's case it's carelessness and not selfishness that is the issue. Maybe they can stipulate that he has to take his ritalin before every game in the new contract...
Nobody missed that point. People on ST tore into him, especially after those photos of him and Lebron surfaced. It certainly didn't go lost on Green, whose tweets after the series showed how hard his taking it.
I will say that I haven't heard Green express a desire to be a Spur for life. Rather, I recall him saying that he wanted to play for contenders his hole career and that he felt he owed the Spurs for taking him in in 2011. Debt paid, I imagine. I think he'll want to stay if the club looks good, and he may even give up some money if that's what it takes to land a premier free agent. But I don't think he'll be giving discounts for the hell of it.
Also, for a guy who came into town with a reputation of overvaluing himself...has he really gotten over that?
Or does a ring and a place in the record books make him chase the big money?
Legitimate question, tbh.
scanry
09-18-2014, 12:52 AM
Just look at Barea. The wolves are on the verge of buying his contract out.
Heck even Ariza stank in Houston & Washington. It's all about the system tbh.
Ice009
09-18-2014, 01:09 AM
Just look at Barea. The wolves are on the verge of buying his contract out.
Heck even Ariza stank in Houston & Washington. It's all about the system tbh.
From the Wizards games I saw during the playoffs, I thought Ariza played well for them.
scanry
09-18-2014, 01:32 AM
From the Wizards games I saw during the playoffs, I thought Ariza played well for them.
Contract year.
anakha
09-18-2014, 07:43 AM
I will say that I haven't heard Green express a desire to be a Spur for life.
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/san-antonios-revenge-scenes-from-a-championship-run-for-the-ages/
Green wants to be a Spur for life. “I’m staying here as long as they’ll keep me around,” he said, before bolting to find his family.
FromWayDowntown
09-18-2014, 09:07 AM
Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard will terrorize the NBA's best backcourts for many years to come. They've already defeated DurACNE, Chimpbrook, Lebron, and Wade. Nothing will surprise these two anymore, tbh.
They also dominated the Splash Brothers in 2013 after Pop adjusted the defensive assignments after Game 2.
Danny is possibly the best defender in the league on those small, fast guards who love to dribble. Curry, Paul, Westbrook, Lillard types.
He is the type of guy that if on an opposition team, you could imagine he would do very well on Parker.
Mark in Austin
09-18-2014, 11:03 PM
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/san-antonios-revenge-scenes-from-a-championship-run-for-the-ages/
thanks for finding that.
scanry
09-18-2014, 11:52 PM
Danny is possibly the best defender in the league on those small, fast guards who love to dribble. Curry, Paul, Westbrook, Lillard types.
He is the type of guy that if on an opposition team, you could imagine he would do very well on Parker.
He would lock him up. Green is like an elite Thabo Sefolosha tbh.
superbigtime
09-19-2014, 11:17 AM
Damn I love Danny Green.
Old School 44
09-21-2014, 08:22 AM
The spurs have the best "game-playing" system as well as "front office/player-personnel" system. I don't know if they do it consciously, but by holding down individual stats/minutes they make other GMs reluctant to pull the trigger on big contract offers for our players, making it easier for us to re-sign guys at reasonable rates.
Malik Hairston
09-21-2014, 01:03 PM
The spurs have the best "game-playing" system as well as "front office/player-personnel" system. I don't know if they do it consciously, but by holding down individual stats/minutes they make other GMs reluctant to pull the trigger on big contract offers for our players, making it easier for us to re-sign guys at reasonable rates.
I think it's a combination of that + players enjoying the culture + players realizing that the system and organization will always help them maximize their ability(in contrast to most teams in the NBA, since the majority are incompetent and poorly coached), thus their willingness to take a fair deal, rather than pursuing more money from a bad team..
Mugen
09-21-2014, 02:17 PM
The Spurs going from Centerpiece + RJ to Danny + Kawhi :cry
look_at_g_shred
09-21-2014, 04:13 PM
Damn I love Danny Green.
barakz21
09-21-2014, 04:30 PM
Aside from his on court contributions, I love what he brings to the team in terms of chemistry. I remember seeing clips of him during games where he's very vocal in cheering for his whoever is on the court or just made a play and always made sure that whoever made a mistake doesn't get too down. It looks like a sign of leadership, although not in the TD mold.
Malik Hairston
09-21-2014, 04:57 PM
^^ He's pretty much the "voice" of the Spurs nowadays..
He's the only Spurs player that has been doing interviews and "touring" in American media since the Finals IIRC..
Dan LeBatard and Stugotz(if anybody listens to their show) discussed how difficult it is to get a Spurs player for an interview(this was prior to the Finals, back in June), and that the Spurs' PR actually seemed surprised that they actually thought they could get Duncan for an interview, for example:lol..Green was the only Spurs player that they were able to get on their show(they generally get a ton of "high end" names, btw, it isn't a small-time show)..
Green seems to be the first Spurs player in a long time(at least from an American standpoint) that genuinely enjoys the spotlight and doing interviews/media..
Danny Green's defensive work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfUmw3GgASM
Watching this clip reminds me how great Danny was in the OKC and Miami series. Glad we have this guy. Look at how he toyed with Wade at 3:25:lol
Chinook
09-23-2014, 12:19 AM
Danny Green's defensive work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfUmw3GgASM
Watching this clip reminds me how great Danny was in the OKC and Miami series. Glad we have this guy. Look at how he toyed with Wade at 3:25:lol
People (like one's who wrote this article) forget that Green was awesome defensively in Game Six. His shot was off, but he was absolutely earning his keep on the other end. Danny's best play of this year's post-season wasn't on this reel, actually. He blocked a Westbrook dunk attempt at the rim once in the WCF. If I can find a video clip of it, I'll post it.
EDIT: It was actually a layup attempt that Green pinned to the glass in the second quarter of Game Four. It didn't get any attention from TNT, because they were too busy slurping Ibaka for fouling Splitter (they called it a block, but Serge literally just chest bumped Tiago without touching the ball). Russ took Splitter's miss and sprinted down the court, but Danny caught him just before the ball hit the backboard. Screw it. I'm watching Game Six (the good one) again.
Ice009
09-23-2014, 12:58 AM
Hardly anyone outside of Spurs fans seem to want to give Green any credit at all for Wade's poor finals series. All I've mainly read is about Wade's game falling off, no mention of Green's defense on him at all. Some people have even mentioned his Li-Ning WoW shoes being the culprit (some jokingly, some seriously, mostly haters of non Nike brand shoes), but hardly anyone has even brought up that Danny's defense may have had something to do with it.
I'm pretty sure Wade was decent earlier in the playoffs and he also had a pretty big game in the closeout game against Indiana, didn't he? I have no idea why people think he just suddenly dropped off a cliff in the finals and that the Spurs defense didn't play a part in it.
People (like one's who wrote this article) forget that Green was awesome defensively in Game Six. His shot was off, but he was absolutely earning his keep on the other end. Danny's best play of this year's post-season wasn't on this reel, actually. He blocked a Westbrook dunk attempt at the rim once in the WCF. If I can find a video clip of it, I'll post it.
EDIT: It was actually a layup attempt that Green pinned to the glass in the second quarter of Game Four. It didn't get any attention from TNT, because they were too busy slurping Ibaka for fouling Splitter (they called it a block, but Serge literally just chest bumped Tiago without touching the ball). Russ took Splitter's miss and sprinted down the court, but Danny caught him just before the ball hit the backboard. Screw it. I'm watching Game Six (the good one) again.
Great post, tbh.
Hardly anyone outside of Spurs fans seem to want to give Green any credit at all for Wade's poor finals series. All I've mainly read is about Wade's game falling off, no mention of Green's defense on him at all. Some people have even mentioned his Li-Ning WoW shoes being the culprit (some jokingly, some seriously, mostly haters of non Nike brand shoes), but hardly anyone has even brought up that Danny's defense may have had something to do with it.
I'm pretty sure Wade was decent earlier in the playoffs and he also had a pretty big game in the closeout game against Indiana, didn't he? I have no idea why people think he just suddenly dropped off a cliff in the finals and that the Spurs defense didn't play a part in it.
Wade must be having nightmares of Green after the Finals.
Chinook
09-24-2014, 01:18 AM
Wade must be having nightmares of Green after the Finals.
He can go to therapy sessions with Curry anf OJ Mayo.
He can go to therapy sessions with Curry anf OJ Mayo.
Tbh:lol
mingus
09-24-2014, 04:55 AM
Marco was hugely instrumental in numerous regular season games, enabling us to secure the #1 seed while keeping Manu fresh for the playoffs. In my mind he was very successful even if his post season performance wasn't that great.
IMO Belli filled the roll asked of him close to perfect. He was key in sparing Manu minutes and keeping him fresh for the playoffs and stepping in as the 4th wing to cover for injuries. His defense is too much of a weakness to carve out a role on a contender IN THE Playoffs (so that's what 3 teams?--SA, OKC, Cavs?), but he can be a nice spark when shit isn't going right (eg. Miami game 3 or OKC game 6). I think people need to change measuring stick with him.
pookenstein
09-24-2014, 05:38 AM
IMO Belli filled the roll asked of him close to perfect. He was key in sparing Manu minutes and keeping him fresh for the playoffs and stepping in as the 4th wing to cover for injuries. His defense is too much of a weakness to carve out a role on a contender IN THE Playoffs (so that's what 3 teams?--SA, OKC, Cavs?), but he can be a nice spark when shit isn't going right (eg. Mia (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=48241)mi game 3 or OKC (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=43121) game 6). I think people need to change measuring stick with him.
:tu
littlecoyotecoin
09-24-2014, 06:56 AM
The spurs have the best "game-playing" system as well as "front office/player-personnel" system. I don't know if they do it consciously, but by holding down individual stats/minutes they make other GMs reluctant to pull the trigger on big contract offers for our players, making it easier for us to re-sign guys at reasonable rates.
Yes. And, Baynes is feelin' ya.
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