He’s game for more: Green eyes 2006-07
By
Mark Murphy
Saturday, April 22, 2006 - Updated: 08:32 AM EST
For most players on teams playing out the string, the last game of the season has about as much meaning as the dark green trash bags that are later handed out for locker cleaning.
But when Gerald Green picked up his sixth foul late in Wednesday’s season ending win over Miami, the Celtics rookie was almost inconsolable.
In an emotional burst, the young guard turned to fire one last word at the nearest referee, before Paul Pierce put an arm around Green and guided him to the bench.
That’s how much fun a late-season rise in minutes was for Green. The Celtics may have been going nowhere, but he still didn’t want it to end.
And judging from the Garden crowd’s reaction to this young athlete, the demand for more playing time next season won’t be coming strictly from his Houston-based family.
But that is a natural starting point.
“My first goal for next year is to have a bigger role,” said the explosive athlete, who if nothing else should be a candidate for next year’s All-Star Weekend dunk contest.
The Celtics are obviously looking for more.
“He’s an interesting kid, because he can score on his own right now,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “But he has to take that next step, which is learning to score with the team, and moving (without the ball).
“He has to be fun to play with - not just watch,” he said. “But I won’t allow him to become a scoring machine, unless that also includes playing defense.
“Right now the scoring and dunks are really important to him.”
If Pierce is to be believed - and on this team there is no one speaking from greater wisdom - then the process of becoming an NBA defender will require seasons of work.
But until then, Green moves along with enough enthusiasm to fuel an entire team. Rivers admits that the rookie, who is already talking about his plans for the Las Vegas Summer League in July, has a contagious kind of energy.
“What I love about Gerald is that he has a great swagger,” Rivers said. “And he has a great personality that makes him a lot of fun to have as a teammate."
Thanks to Green’s late-season performance, which peaked at a 14.4 scoring average over the last two weeks, the Celtics at least have a good idea of what makes their prized rookie tick.
“I think you’ve at least seen that he can play, and he can create his own offense and get his own shot and make shots and make blocks,” director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. “You’ve seen him do that now at the NBA level, rather than just at high school all-star games. So, yeah, there’s now more confidence in his abilities.”
Not that this was ever a question in Green’s mind.
And, without question, Green has someone to look up to in Pierce.
“I have to learn,” said Green. “I look at Paul every day and I want to be at his level.
“I appreciate a lot what he has done for me. He’s done a lot to help me become the player I am right now. Believe it or not, all of these teammates have already helped me a lot.”
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