Draft Countdown: Danny Green
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:34 am
Listening to Triano and Iavaroni, they've made it clear they want to play up-tempo, but they want to initiate that offense with a strong defense (finally). Having seen just about every game he has played, I can't think of a more perfect role player for that kind of system than Danny Green. UNC runs a secondary break (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/w ... 21/cbk.bag) which differs from Phoenix's offense in that it has more gears and is more deliberate with it's screens and cuts. Another key difference, is that it relies on strong defense to create those fast-break opportunities. Sounds exactly like what Triano and Iavaroni are talking about.
Danny Green is one of those guys that every championship team seems to have; one of those guys who "knows how to win". He gets left out of the discussion because of Lawson, Hansbrough, and Ellington, but he was a huge part of that team. I've seen him shut down opposing team's top scorers all over the court, whether guards or forwards. He can defend and block shots (1.3 bpg) on the ball and from the weak side with his long arms. He gets in the passing lanes for steals (1.8 bpg). He can run the court and finish and has some sneaky athleticism. He developed some serious range in his four years going from an OK outside shooter to a very efficient catch-and-shoot/pull-up shooter with very transferable shooting form (0.59 TS% and 2.0 3s/game at 41.8%). I've always thought range was the easiest skill to develop in the NBA so he's already ahead of the curve in that regard.
No, he's not going to become a ball-handling guard who shoots off the dribble, but you'd be insane to expect that from a 2nd round pick anyway. But if you can get a rotation player in the 2nd round who does all of the above, why wouldn't you jump all over that? He knows his role and has the IQ and skills to potentially be a starter in this league. Give me that any day over some stab in the dark in the 2nd round.
Danny Green is one of those guys that every championship team seems to have; one of those guys who "knows how to win". He gets left out of the discussion because of Lawson, Hansbrough, and Ellington, but he was a huge part of that team. I've seen him shut down opposing team's top scorers all over the court, whether guards or forwards. He can defend and block shots (1.3 bpg) on the ball and from the weak side with his long arms. He gets in the passing lanes for steals (1.8 bpg). He can run the court and finish and has some sneaky athleticism. He developed some serious range in his four years going from an OK outside shooter to a very efficient catch-and-shoot/pull-up shooter with very transferable shooting form (0.59 TS% and 2.0 3s/game at 41.8%). I've always thought range was the easiest skill to develop in the NBA so he's already ahead of the curve in that regard.
No, he's not going to become a ball-handling guard who shoots off the dribble, but you'd be insane to expect that from a 2nd round pick anyway. But if you can get a rotation player in the 2nd round who does all of the above, why wouldn't you jump all over that? He knows his role and has the IQ and skills to potentially be a starter in this league. Give me that any day over some stab in the dark in the 2nd round.
