Gerald Green (born January 26, 1986) is an American former professional basketball player. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 18th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft. Known for his dunking skill, he has performed well in many slam dunk competitions, having won the 2005 McDonald's All-American Slam Dunk Contest and the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, while finishing as the runner-up in the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.[1]
Early life
[edit]Green was born in Houston, Texas. When he was in the 6th grade, he was involved in an accident that left a significant portion of his right ring finger cut off. He was wearing a ring on his right ring finger when he attempted a dunk on a makeshift basketball hoop. The ring caught onto a nail on the goal and his finger was ripped, with amputation being the only option.[2]
High school career
[edit]Green did not play high school basketball until his sophomore year, when he played junior varsity for J. Frank Dobie High School. In his junior year, he made the varsity team, but his play was cut short because of academic issues.[3]
Green transferred to a charter school, Gulf Shores Academy in Houston where he repeated his junior year.[3] In his senior year at Gulf Shores, he averaged 33 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocked shots per game. He was named an All-American and was the high scorer with 24 points in the 2005 McDonald's All-American Game,[4] which features two teams composed of the best high school basketball players in the United States. Green also won the McDonald's All-American Slam Dunk Contest that year, defeating future Duke player Josh McRoberts.
Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Green was listed as the No. 1 player in the nation in 2005.[5]
Green originally committed to Oklahoma State University, but later decided to enter the NBA draft upon graduation. He hired an agent, thereby making himself ineligible to participate in NCAA athletics.
Professional career
[edit]Boston Celtics (2005–2007)
[edit]Green was expected by many analysts to be one of the top players chosen but he fell to the Celtics, who selected him with the 18th pick in the 2005 NBA draft. His fall is attributed to his decision to give individual workouts only for the teams with the top six picks prior to the draft.[3]
Green was one of the last players to enter the NBA directly from high school, as the collective bargaining agreement between NBA owners and the National Basketball Players Association now mandates that American players who enter the draft must be at least one year removed from the graduation of their high school class and reach age 19 no later than December 31 of the calendar year of the draft.[3]
During the preseason, Green averaged 8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game for the Celtics in the 2005 Las Vegas Summer League.[6]
After seeing limited playing time during the first part of the season, Green was placed on the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBA D-League by the Celtics in January 2006. He was recalled and activated to an NBA roster position on February 3. He was reassigned to the NBDL, to the Florida Flame, on February 16. He was recalled and activated again on February 21, and saw his first significant NBA game action on the following night, scoring 13 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in 23 minutes.
He appeared in 32 games and averaged 11.8 minutes, 5.2 points, and 1.2 rebounds during these contests. Green left marks on the league with his highlight plays including a shot clock beating half court three against Indiana and two SportsCenter top play dunks in the closing seconds in two games against the Toronto Raptors.
Over the off-season, Green aimed at improving all aspects of his game in order to gain playing time. He had shown flashes of his capability during the end of the 2005–06 season, but started off the 2006–07 season slowly, earning a somewhat limited role and playing time behind captain Paul Pierce, and swingman Wally Szczerbiak. With injuries to Szczerbiak and Pierce, his playing time increased, but he was unable to nail down a starting role. Green started his first-ever game early December against the Philadelphia 76ers, but then lost his job to a returning Szczerbiak. Green finished the 2006–07 season averaging 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.
On February 17, 2007, Green won the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, beating out Nate Robinson, Tyrus Thomas, and Dwight Howard.
The season was going very well for Green. On March 16, 2007, he scored a career-high 25 points in a Celtics loss to the Dallas Mavericks,[7][8] and on April 10, 2007, Green topped that with 33 points (12–22 FG, 4–5 3FG) at Atlanta.[7]
On July 31, 2007, it was made official that Green was to be traded along with Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, and draft picks, to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Garnett.[9]
Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2008)
[edit]At Minnesota, Green found himself stuck on the bench behind a number of players at his same position. In early January 2008, Green's agent asked the Timberwolves to trade his client.[10]
At the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Green opened the competition with a dunk he called "The Birthday Cake" in which he blew out a birthday candle on a cupcake set on the back of the rim while dunking. He followed that up with an alley-oop two-handed windmill. His first dunk of the second round was an alley-oop from behind the basket which he put between his legs before dunking. His final dunk of the night was a between-the-legs one-handed slam that he performed after taking off his shoes. He ended up finishing second to Dwight Howard, after Howard received seventy-eight percent of the votes cast by fans through text message.[11][12]
Houston Rockets (2008)
[edit]On February 21, 2008, Green was traded to his hometown team Houston Rockets for Kirk Snyder, a 2010 second-round draft pick, and cash considerations. He was subsequently released by the Rockets on March 8[13] and became an unrestricted free agent in July.
Dallas Mavericks (2008–2009)
[edit]On July 1, 2008, Green signed with the Dallas Mavericks. His agent Colin Bryant told Fox 26 Sports, "We have a verbal agreement with Dallas on a one year contract, We talked to a number of teams and there is more money out there, but this is the best situation for Gerald at this point in his career."[14]
Green was not supposed to go to the summer league, but chose to go to learn the plays and get a feeling of the Mavericks organization early and not let his chance slip away. In the Vegas Summer League he averaged an underwhelming 13.3 ppg and 3.8 rpg on 38% shooting from the field. On a bright note, he was 43% from beyond the arc. Following the Vegas Summer League, the Mavericks and Green participated in the Rocky Mountain Revue, a summer league held in Salt Lake City, Utah. There in just 25.8 mpg Green averaged 17.7 ppg to go with 2.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1 spg, .5 bpg, and a respectable 2.2 topg. This time around, Green shot a much more impressive 45%, including going 12 for 26 from behind the three point line (46%), and 28–31 from the free throw line (90%). His overall performance was enough to earn him All-Revue Team honors.
Lokomotiv Kuban (2009–2010)
[edit]Green signed with PBC Lokomotiv Kuban of Russia in December 2009.[15] The Lokomotiv Kuban waived him in June 2010.
Krasnye Krylia (2010–2011)
[edit]Green was named to the Los Angeles Lakers roster for the 2010 NBA Summer League.[16] After the Summer League, he signed with BC Krasnye Krylya, also a Russian team.[17]
Foshan Dralions (2011)
[edit]In October 2011, Green moved to China, signing a one-year contract with the Foshan Dralions.[18] On December 2, 2011, Green was released by Foshan.[19]
Los Angeles D-Fenders (2011–2012)
[edit]On December 13, 2011, Green signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as an opportunity to return to the NBA. However, Green was waived by the Lakers on December 22 just days before the shortened regular season began.[20]
On December 28, 2011, Green signed with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League. He played at the NBA D-League All-Star Game and was awarded the NBA D-League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. Over the season, he averaged 19.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He recorded a season-high of 35 points against the Erie BayHawks.[21]
New Jersey Nets (2012)
[edit]The New Jersey Nets signed Green to a 10-day contract on February 27, 2012. He was signed to a second 10-day contract on March 8, 2012. His dunk against the Houston Rockets on March 10, 2012, was called "one of the dirtiest in-game windmill alley-oops in NBA history".[22] On March 18, 2012, he was signed for the rest of the season. Through the season he averaged 12.9 points, 1.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 31 games played.
Indiana Pacers (2012–2013)
[edit]On July 12, 2012, Green signed with the Indiana Pacers.[23] During the 2013 All-Star weekend, Green participated in his third NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Phoenix Suns (2013–2015)
[edit]
On July 27, 2013, Green was traded to the Phoenix Suns alongside Miles Plumlee and a future first-round pick for Luis Scola.[24] Green started for the Suns when fellow guards Goran Dragić and Eric Bledsoe were injured during their respective periods in November 2013. He received more starting time with the Suns after Bledsoe had a major knee injury during January, February, and early March 2014. Throughout this period, Green would take over some games as being the team's leading scorer, including a 112–107 overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets, in which he'd record a then-career-high 36 points against them, which included making 8 of the team's 13 points in overtime.[25]
On March 6, 2014, Green recorded a new career-high 41 points, including a career-high 8 made three-pointers, in a 128–122 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.[26] When Eric Bledsoe returned to action on March 12, 2014, Green returned to his bench role. Green finished the season with new career highs in points per game and free-throw percentage. As a result, he finished fourth in the NBA Most Improved Player Award behind Anthony Davis, Lance Stephenson, and Green's teammate Goran Dragić.
On April 8, 2015, Green scored a season-high 30 points on 10-of-19 shooting in a 104–107 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.[27]
Miami Heat (2015–2016)
[edit]On July 9, 2015, Green signed with the Miami Heat.[28] He made his debut for the Heat in the team's season opener against the Charlotte Hornets on October 28, scoring 19 points off the bench in a 104–94 win.[29] On November 27, he scored a season-high 25 points while starting in place of the injured Luol Deng, helping the Heat defeat the New York Knicks 97–78.[30] He topped that mark on April 1, 2016, scoring 30 points while starting in place of the injured Dwyane Wade, helping the Heat defeat the Sacramento Kings 112–106.[31]
Return to Boston (2016–2017)
[edit]On July 27, 2016, Green signed with the Boston Celtics, returning to the franchise for a second stint.[32] On December 27, 2016, he scored a season-high 19 points in a 113–103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.[33] On April 23, 2017, in Game 4 of the Celtics' first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls, Green had a postseason career-high 18 points, 16 of which were tallied before halftime.[34]
Return to Houston (2017–2020)
[edit]On September 24, 2017, Green signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.[35] He was waived on October 14, after appearing in four preseason games.[36]
On December 28, 2017, Green returned with the Houston Rockets for a second stint.[37] On January 3, 2018, he scored a season-high 27 points in a 116–98 win over the Orlando Magic.[38] Two days later, Green came off the bench to score 29 and tie a career high with eight 3-pointers in a 124–114 loss to the Golden State Warriors. He became the first player in franchise history to make seven or more 3-pointers in consecutive games after he made seven against Orlando.[39] On January 17, Green was suspended for two games without pay for entering the Los Angeles Clippers' locker room after a game against the team two days earlier.[40] On March 30, Green hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to snatch a win against the Phoenix Suns.[41]
On July 10, 2018, Green re-signed with the Rockets.[42]
On July 22, 2019, Green re-signed with the Rockets.[43] On October 28, the Rockets announced that Green had undergone surgery to repair a broken bone in his left foot and would be sidelined for approximately six months.[44]
On February 5, 2020, the Rockets traded Green to the Denver Nuggets in a four-team trade,[45] and the Nuggets waived Green two days later.[46] On December 1, 2020, Green re-signed with the Houston Rockets to a one-year non-guaranteed deal.[47] On December 19, the Rockets waived Green.[48]
Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2022)
[edit]On January 8, 2022, Green came out of retirement and signed with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers,[49] averaging 18 points and 5.1 rebounds.[50] He won his first championship when the Vipers won the 2022 NBA G League Finals.
Coaching career
[edit]On October 22, 2021, Green announced his retirement and joined the Houston Rockets coaching staff as a player development coach.[51][52]
Player profile
[edit]Green drew comparisons to future Houston Rockets teammate and star Tracy McGrady in the period leading up to the 2005 NBA draft.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Green's second cousin is Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Danny Green. He also has a younger brother, Garlon, who is also a professional basketball player for CSM Oradea in Romania.[1] He formerly played for TCU before going to play in Europe.[53][54]
NBA career statistics
[edit]| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Boston | 32 | 3 | 11.7 | .478 | .300 | .784 | 1.3 | .6 | .4 | .1 | 5.2 |
| 2006–07 | Boston | 81 | 26 | 22.0 | .419 | .368 | .805 | 2.6 | 1.0 | .5 | .3 | 10.4 |
| 2007–08 | Minnesota | 29 | 0 | 12.3 | .331 | .385 | .829 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .3 | .1 | 5.1 |
| 2007–08 | Houston | 1 | 0 | 4.0 | 1.000 | .000 | .000 | 2.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 6.0 |
| 2008–09 | Dallas | 38 | 12 | 9.9 | .439 | .304 | .844 | 1.4 | .4 | .3 | .1 | 5.2 |
| 2011–12 | New Jersey | 31 | 2 | 25.2 | .481 | .391 | .754 | 3.5 | 1.1 | .9 | .5 | 12.9 |
| 2012–13 | Indiana | 60 | 7 | 18.0 | .366 | .314 | .800 | 2.4 | .8 | .3 | .4 | 7.0 |
| 2013–14 | Phoenix | 82 | 48 | 28.4 | .445 | .400 | .848 | 3.4 | 1.5 | .9 | .5 | 15.8 |
| 2014–15 | Phoenix | 74 | 4 | 19.5 | .416 | .354 | .825 | 2.5 | 1.2 | .6 | .2 | 11.9 |
| 2015–16 | Miami | 69 | 14 | 22.6 | .392 | .323 | .783 | 2.4 | .8 | .6 | .3 | 8.9 |
| 2016–17 | Boston | 47 | 0 | 11.4 | .409 | .351 | .805 | 1.8 | .7 | .2 | .1 | 5.6 |
| 2017–18 | Houston | 41 | 2 | 22.7 | .407 | .369 | .850 | 3.2 | .6 | .6 | .4 | 12.1 |
| 2018–19 | Houston | 73 | 0 | 20.2 | .400 | .354 | .838 | 2.5 | .5 | .5 | .4 | 9.2 |
| Career | 658 | 118 | 19.8 | .417 | .361 | .818 | 2.5 | .9 | .5 | .3 | 9.7 | |
Playoffs
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Dallas | 6 | 0 | 4.3 | .286 | .200 | .500 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.8 |
| 2013 | Indiana | 9 | 0 | 11.7 | .420 | .333 | 1.000 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 6.1 |
| 2016 | Miami | 12 | 0 | 9.2 | .327 | .286 | .800 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 3.3 |
| 2017 | Boston | 13 | 7 | 14.8 | .472 | .467 | .889 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 7.5 |
| 2018 | Houston | 17 | 0 | 16.0 | .394 | .375 | .857 | 2.9 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 6.3 |
| 2019 | Houston | 11 | 0 | 8.8 | .300 | .345 | 1.000 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 3.5 |
| Career | 68 | 7 | 11.8 | .389 | .374 | .844 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 5.1 | |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Robinson, Jon (September 29, 2005). "Gerald Green: Color of Money". IGN. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Matt Moore. "Gerald Green only has part of his ring finger on his right hand. Wait, what?". Sports. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Refound Youth". April 19, 2012.
- ^ NBADraft.net | 2005 McDonald's All-American Game Recap Archived 2008-05-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Gerald Green Recruiting Profile
- ^ Boston Celtics summer league statistics
- ^ a b Hawks pull out victory in battle of shorthanded teams
- ^ Nowitzki, Howard help Mavs rebound from back-to-back losses
- ^ Garnett deal finalized - BostonHerald.com Archived August 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Green wants a trade
- ^ Howard ends Green’s reign - BostonHerald.com
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 25, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Rockets Sign Mike Harris to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
- ^ "MyFox Houston | Gerald Green to Join Dallas". Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
- ^ Gerald Green Signs With Russian Team Archived 2010-02-18 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on December 16, 2009.
- ^ NBA Player Page
- ^ Krasnye Krylia tabs Gerald Green
- ^ Gerald Green signed in China with Foshan
- ^ Gerald Green sacked by Chinese club
- ^ Gerald Green Player Profile – RealGM
- ^ "Gerald Green player profile". NBA. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
- ^ Söze, Michael. "Gerald Green Alley-Oop Dunk Brings Down the House in New Jersey [Video]". The Inquistr. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
- ^ Pacers Sign Free Agent Gerald Green
- ^ "Suns Make Important Trade for Future". NBA.com. July 27, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
- ^ Notebook: Suns 112, Nuggets 107 (OT)
- ^ Notebook: Suns 128, Thunder 122
- ^ Nowitzki, Mavericks knock Suns out of playoff race
- ^ "HEAT Signs Gerald Green". NBA.com. July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
- ^ "Bosh returns, Heat top Hornets 104-94 in season opener". NBA.com. October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on October 27, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- ^ "Gerald Green scores 25, leads Heat to 97-78 rout of Knicks". NBA.com. November 27, 2015. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- ^ "Heat blow big lead, but hold on to beat Kings 112-106". NBA.com. April 1, 2016. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ "Celtics Sign Five Players". NBA.com. July 27, 2016. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
- ^ "Bradley scores 23 for Celtics in 113-103 win over Grizzlies". ESPN.com. December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ Snow, Taylor C. (April 24, 2017). "Green, Thomas Unite, Lead Celtics to Game 4 Win". NBA.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
- ^ "BUCKS SIGN JOEL ANTHONY AND GERALD GREEN". NBA.com. September 24, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- ^ "BUCKS REQUEST WAIVERS ON GERALD GREEN". NBA.com. October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
- ^ "Rockets Sign Free Agent Gerald Green". NBA.com. December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ "Rockets win without Harden, routing Magic 116-98". ESPN.com. January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ^ "Curry, Thompson help Warriors beat Rockets 124-114". ESPN.com. January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ "Rockets' Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green suspended two games". NBA. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "Rockets edge Suns in waning seconds". chron.com. March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- ^ "Rockets Re-sign Gerald Green". NBA.com. July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- ^ "Rockets Re-Sign Gerald Green". NBA.com. July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ "Gerald Green Medical Update". NBA.com. October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Acquire Bates-Diop, Napier, Vonleh, Green and First-Round Pick in Four-Team Trade". NBA.com. February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ^ @nuggets (February 7, 2020). "We have waived Gerald Green. #MileHighBasketball" (Tweet). Retrieved January 6, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Rockets Sign Free Agent Gerald Green". NBA.com. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ "Rockets waive fan favorite Gerald Green". Houston Chronicle. December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ @RGVVipers (January 8, 2022). "The Rio Grande Valley Vipers announce the signing of guard/small forward Gerald Green.Welcome to The Valley's Tea…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Gerald Green el primer refuerzo de los Gigantes". BSNPR.com (in Spanish). March 28, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ^ Houston Rockets [@HoustonRockets] (October 22, 2021). "Former #Rockets player and Houston native Gerald Green has announced his retirement from the NBA. He has also announced that he will be joining the Rockets coaching staff as a player development coach" (Tweet). Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Prolific dunker Green retires, joins Rockets' staff". ESPN.com. October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "Gerald Green's brother throws down insane putback dunk ... on wrong basket". FOX Sports. December 14, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ^ Feldman, Dan (December 18, 2015). "Gerald Green's brother soars for spectacular putback dunk – on wrong basket (video)". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
External links
[edit]
- Career statistics from NBA.com and Basketball Reference