3 years ago
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Don’t consciousness atrocious for journeyman Jeff Green.
The versatile forward, present connected his 11th squad successful 14 seasons, doesn’t resent his winding travel which landed him successful Denver this offseason. In fact, helium relishes it.
“I wouldn’t commercialized it for the world,” helium said astatine his introductory quality league Thursday. “It’s been a blessing.”
Green’s been teammates with Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Kevin Garnett. The accidental to adhd reigning MVP Nikola Jokic to that database was among the reasons helium agreed to a 2-year, $10 cardinal woody with the Nuggets connected the opening nighttime of escaped agency.
Watching from afar — astir precocious with the Nets past play — Green took enactment of Jokic’s unselfish benignant and precocious IQ. He was besides drawn to his ego.
“As debased attraction arsenic you tin get for an MVP,” said Green, who tin besides mention erstwhile MVPs James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose arsenic anterior teammates.
While Jokic was 1 constituent of his decision, erstwhile helium sat down and consulted with his wife, Denver became an evident match.
“I thought it was fitting,” helium said. “The environment, the culture, the players, the coach, the ambiance … the benignant of situation you look for successful an organization. It was a no-brainer. I felt similar it could beryllium a peculiar season.”
Green has ample grounds that he’ll beryllium capable to thrive successful Denver’s selfless culture. Current Nuggets JaMychal Green, Austin Rivers and Aaron Gordon are each among the much than 200 teammates Green has had successful his career. While helium didn’t consult them straight during escaped agency, helium said he’s spoken to some Gordon and Rivers successful the past fewer days. That JaMychal Green and Rivers decided to re-sign successful Denver was besides a tell.
“I cognize those guys,” helium said. “I cognize their characteristics. … For them to re-sign, and for Aaron to beryllium here, to beryllium teammates again with them, I cognize it’s gonna beryllium fun.”
In 68 games past play (38 starts), Green proved helium inactive had plentifulness of tread near connected his tires. He averaged 11 points and astir 4 rebounds per game, coupled with a star-aided, career-high 41 percent from 3-point range. Perhaps the Jokic-Murray-Porter combo volition alleviate akin unit arsenic the Durant-Harden-Irving 1 did successful Brooklyn.
In Denver, Green isn’t apt to get galore starting nods, but helium could inactive ain a important role. Replacing some Paul Millsap and JaVale McGee successful the frontcourt, Green’s hybrid abilities should brace good with JaMychal Green and versatile sophomore Zeke Nnaji. All 3 tin rotate up oregon down a antiaircraft position, with nary of them pigeonholed into a accepted powerfulness guardant spot. And aft the adjacent to past play — erstwhile Nuggets manager Michael Malone struggled to find minutes for the 3 seasoned large men — Denver chose to participate this play with a little crowded frontcourt.
Green didn’t indulge the upcoming strategy much, alternatively disclosing that Malone simply wanted him to play hard and person fun. That shouldn’t beryllium hard fixed the committedness Denver made to him aboriginal successful escaped agency.
“It does consciousness bully to yet fastener successful thing much than 1 year,” Green said with a smile.
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