Green showed flashes of this before, even in his first 10-day stint with the Spurs last season. The difference is, last night Pop left him in a close game, instead of just running him for a few possessions at the end of quarters.
Wait.. weren't you the main guy behind the Green "looked like Bowen?" Anyway, great write up. I don't know much about Anthony Parker but I know that he had a few successful years playing with Lebron.
Green showed flashes of this before, even in his first 10-day stint with the Spurs last season. The difference is, last night Pop left him in a close game, instead of just running him for a few possessions at the end of quarters.
It all comes down to toughness and not being fearful. Anybody in the NBA can become a great player but can you do it with other players who look to expose you game by game. If Danny Green can continue to evolve and be determined to be a good player in the system im all for the bandwagon.
Gary Neal is a perfect example. Despite everything he endured he has proved himself to be a legitimate scorer in the NBA. Hes made a name for himself in the regular season and the playoffs. Now this is his year to continue to evolve and not let defenses make him a non factor in games. I believe in Gary Neal personally. I got to see more from Green before I jump on this bandwagon.
Didn't know this message board was still capable of having quality posts.
I think he showed a lot of potential and his energy seemed contagious. Definitely a great fit for our team with his at ude.
Actually, I wasn't. What I said was that it may have been the best individual defensive performance I've seen since Bowen left. Several people took that to mean that I thought he was just like Bowen, which is one of the reasons I wanted to write this.
Look, I won't debate with anyone about it only being one night, either. I said so myself several times. What I can tell you is that I was already hard pressed to remember any two players who remind me more of each other on the floor. I watched Parker at the same point in his career, when he just seemed to find himself and changed into a really solid baller. And last night, watching Danny Green play was just like a deja vu moment. I'm not just talking about the results, I'm talking about the way he moved, and the kind of focus he showed on defense. And Green's 3-point shot reminds me of Parker's - not silky smooth like a Ray Allen. Just... solid. Square.
Anthony Parker, at his best, is like a 10 and 4 guy in the NBA. A lot of fans look at that and yawn. But he's been a great perimeter defender, and he commits very few fouls - very few mistakes. People were asking about Green, can he dribble, can he do this or that? Part of the point is that he doesn't have to do anything more than exactly what he did last night to have a real impact on this team. And I think that he has a coach that happens to appreciate that kind of play, and will even encourage it. Did anyone take notice of the fact that Green defended like that, but got zero fouls called? (As much as I came to like George Hill, he always got caught reaching a couple of times and picked up cheap fouls?)
The fact that he reminds me so much of Anthony Parker just helps me believe that a player can make that kind of transformation. I've seen it before.
Danny played for my hometown team Olimpija in Slovenia during lockout. We liked him, but didn't exactly retire his jersey when he returned to NBA.
with danny green getting bruce bowen comparison by so many on the board...i hope he keeps up this form and somehow cracks into the rotation...should give him more playing time, maybe then james anderson will get some confidence
Green's stats with Olimpija:
28.4 minutes, 11.4 points, 4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1 steal on 38.7% shooting from the field and 25% shooting on threes.
So yeah, he didn't exactly light it up.
*cue KBP*
Nice post GSH.
I to am on the "it's just one game boat", but if it continues there is no reason Danny can't carve out a career like Anthony Parker.
The player I was thinking yesterday after watching the game was another Spurs offcast,Raja Bell. A similar size, stregth and athleticism, a similar style of defense and a similar sort of aggression and iness that gives you the feel he thinks he is better than he is, which can go along way. His 3PT shot is ok at the moment, but looks like it has a chance to become much better, similar to how Raja started out.
If Danny could blossom into a similar style of player, then the Spurs should be extremely happy. That said, it was just one game... Spurfan loves to get up and about over one performance ie; Pops "Shawn Kemp" Mensah Bonsu, Malik Hairston, James White!, Francisco Elson in his first game... so I'll temper my expectations for a while just yet.
It was 3 games in a row, not just one game. Minnesota, GS, and now Dallas. He's got game. I'm in for Green. The probem with Bowen comparison is that Bowen was able to guard Dirk because of his length. IMHO, Green would only be effective in defending 1, 2, and 3 positions only.
That is why everyone is crossing their fingers that Kawhi will evolve into a premier NBA defender as he has the length to guard Dirk and Odom type fours.
I like Green more and more. Still pretty raw at times. Liked him trying to take it to the rack over Ian. Almost put that in his face.
Bump.
Some nice takes in this thread, a few posters noting the potential for him to become a key piece in a good team. Comparisons towards Anthony Parker and Raja Bell are ringing quite true now.
For me, Danny has been the biggest surprise of the year. Kawhi has been incredible, but he was a lottery quality player with a legit NBA body. Tim's resurgence doesn't surprise me as much because he is Tim Duncan. Danny was legitimately on his way out of the league.
Now he is proving to be a really nice defender and his offensive game has come a long way. His 3pt shot is deadly and he isn't scared to shoot them in the clutch, his passing has improved. His pump fake and one dribble is very nice when teams close out hard. If he can learn to finish in the keyway, he will be a real handful on a team that moves the ball so well like our Spurs.
Great work by the Spurs FO and by Pop for trusting and grooming this guy!
Green has been very Manu-esque in the playoffs so far, which is definitely needed given that Manu hasn't been at his best yet.
Who is Danny Green?
He is one of the guys directly responsible for the Spurs' resurgence. I'd give him 28% of the credit.
Danny Green is Stephen Jackson of 2003.
No one saw it coming.
Danny green did. He knew he could do it.
and jax 2012 is steve smith 03when is he going to show up
LOL but true-looking creakier than Steve Smith knees.
Wtf?
Your ing joking right?
I think that's the best way to put it.
He's a kid whose heart is 100 times the size of his game.
He's a guy who would save every little bit of his stipend money he could to send it back to his younger brothers while his dad was sitting in a prison cell.
He's a true teammate who always points to the passer after he makes a shot.
He's a champion.
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