Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Jeff Green is under an intense microscope this season. With the departure of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, and with Rajon Rondo rehabbing from ACL surgery, Green has ascended to being the focal point of Boston’s offense, and while he didn’t ask for the target that comes with that crown, he said before the season that it’s a challenge he accepts with a chance to cement himself as an emerging star in this league.
But with half of Boston’s eight-game preseason slate complete, here’s the brutal truth: Green has not played anywhere near the level expected of him.
Maybe it’s a shooting slump or perhaps he’s still getting comfortable with a new-look roster, a first-year coach and new schemes on both ends of the floor. Coach Brad Stevens loaded up Green’s plate like he was on a trip to Old Country Buffet, but has since said he might have to scrape off some of that food as Green attempts to learn three positions. Regardless of the reason, the production just isn’t there and the spotlight and scrutiny is now blazing on King Green.
ESPN Boston – It won’t come easy for Green
Jeff Green hasn’t had the most explosive or electric start through the first half of the entire preseason. Jared Sullinger, who is recovering from back surgery, weight gain and a domestic dispute has played well. Kelly Olynyk, who is a rookie and has exactly zero NBA experience has played well. Even as much as it pains me to say this, Jordan Crawford has played well. Even the mysterious Vitor Faverani has opened eyes in the short stints he’s been given. The point is, everyone on this team has a reason why they could or couldn’t be playing well right now. With so many new parts, including a new coaching staff, the excuses are already built-in and most fans are willing and ready to accept it, especially with the Red Sox and Patriots absorbing all of the emotional energy from the Boston fandom. Except for Green. He’s being noticed, and not in a good way.
In Forsberg’s above piece, he goes into fantastic detail, especially statistically to map out the DNA of Jeff Green’s preseason performance thus far, or more appropriately, lack of performance. In the link below, CSNNE also goes into the mystery that is Green. It is the preseason and we shouldn’t go too overboard, but at some point we have to start to at least wonder, which is the stage we’re at right now. It’s a stark contrast to what he was doing a year ago during the preseason, dunking all over the place and getting everyone very excited. But that didn’t immediately carry over to the regular season until it was roughly halfway over. There are none more frustrated than Green though, who after the win against New York in Manchester, NH said: “I mean shit hasn’t fallen for me yet…”
Hopefully things will start falling tomorrow night in Brooklyn against the Nets and former C’s legends Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett (ugh that kills to type that). No better time for it to begin.
Related link:
CSNNE – Green hoping aggressiveness leads to production
The rest of the links:
Boston Globe – Celtics hope to get more W’s by catching more Z’s | Boston Herald – Rookie Kelly Olynyk wows Celtics with hoops smarts
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