Just as amazing as Green's 3-point shots

[Bill_Brasky]

Yes. Green was a big reason James didn't play well in the first three games...

But as I said, I'll update the perimeter-defense numbers tomorrow. I think they'll so a pretty even increase in PPP allowed across the board. James didn't get his points abusing Green like you seem to think. I think he got most of them by not letting Leonard's positioning stop him from going strong to the hole. But we'll see.

Regardless, Green has been as solid as anyone on James in this series. To pretend like he hasn't suggests major confirmation bias.

Brunodf is re ed, don't waste your time.

[BillMc]

Danny Green's 3-point shooting has obviously been very good - unheard of, really. But his transition defense has been equally unheard of, and the analysts have paid almost no attention to it.

At some point in a game, you know that Miami is going to go track meet on you. And if you want to have any chance at beating them, you have to keep the run from becoming an avalanche. The Heat are a good offensive team, but their real knockout punch is their ability to go on those huge runs. The stops Green has gotten in transition have been worth a lot more than two points each. Because most of them have been a big part of doing just that - slowing down and stopping a Miami avalanche. And nothing shuts down a Miami crowd quite like watching the Best Player In The World get -slapped in the open court.

How many times in this series has Green broken up a fast break by LeBron and/or Wade? I wish I had an exact count, but it has to be at least ten. One of the comments you hear often is that "when LeBron gets in the open court, he's impossible to stop." And, for the most part, that's a true statement. And Dwayne Wade is just about as good. And yet, Danny Green has been successful at preventing them from scoring on the break, over and over again.

Ask yourself this: In all the games you've watched LeBron play, how many times have you seen someone succeed in stopping him on a fast break? I'm not 100% sure I've ever seen it. Maybe he's short-armed a dunk or two, but most of the time the defender gets steamrolled, and LeBron still scores. And unless the defender bails at the last second, about half the time they just give LeBron an and-1. And that's what makes what Danny has done so remarkable.

You could see that LeBron started taking it personally a couple of games ago - and he started trying to send a message by going at Danny. And Danny has still succeeded in doing it more often than not. So when you're thinking about all the made 3-pointers, remember all the points he's deprived the Heat of, all on his own. Points that are considered automatic, any other time. And remember what that has done to stop some of the Miami track meets.

Well put. I completely agree. In fact, my favorite (non-Manu) play of the game was Green blocking LeBron then getting the rebound after the scramble. That was huge. LeBron is so athletic, but when you stop him on transition D, he seems to begin to think. When he thinks his effectiveness goes down quickly.

[jiggy_55]

I'm sorry but the TV commentators Mike Breen and JVG have highly praised Green on his transition D. He's getting recognition