Green had a strong rookie season last year finishing fourth among rookies in scoring with an average of 10.5 points per game. That number jumped to 11.7 in the 51 games that he started. He grabbed an average of 4.7 boards per game and registered a block and a steal about every other game.Jeff will be the Thunder's starting small forward as the season begins and is expected to improve on the numbers that he put up last season. Look for him to be the team's third leading scorer and rebounder during the regular season.
Green has only played in three of OKC's preseason games so far as he sat out the past two with a left ankle sprain. The injury is minor, and he's back practicing with the team and expected to play in the final two preseason games as well as the season opener versus Milwaukee.
In his three preseason games, Green is averaging 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 21 minutes while shooting 37.9% from the field. He was the Thunder's leading scoring against the Kings nearly doubling his average as he put 19 points on the board.
A couple days ago OKC picked up the 2009-10 option on Green, so he'll be around for at least two more years. Expect the Thunder to make a play to keep him even longer than that as they work to turn the youthful core into a playoff caliber team.
3 comments:
I hope, as you say, he improves on his performance last year because he sucked. He finished the season barely shooting .400 and he can't defend his position.
Joe,
He did look overwhelmed at times last year but had a strong finish. The Thunder brought in Mason to push Green, in my opinion, and I find it hard to believe that OKC will start anyone whose shots aren't falling consistently.
Look for my story on the small forward/6th man battle on Tuesday!
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