New Jazzman Jeff Green Willing To Play Any Role
Oct 10, 2019, 1:47 PM | Updated: 10:47 pm
Jeff Green #22 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a basket during a game against the Adelaide 36ers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 5, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – For Jeff Green, only one thing is on his mind as he enters his first season with the Utah Jazz. Winning a championship. He’s willing to play any role on the team to make that happen.
What about any personal goals?
“Winning a championship, that’s the main goal,” he said. “I don’t personally make any individual goals. I know this is a team sport. I look forward to winning a championship and that is the ultimate goal.”
You can understand his desperation. Green had to sit out the 2011-12 season with the Celtics after undergoing heart surgery.
The 12-year veteran has played for bad teams like last season’s Washington Wizards and the 2016-2017 Orlando Magic. He’s also come close to greatness, making one trip to the NBA Finals with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Unfortunately for him, that was the season the Cavs were swept by Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and the Warriors.
You can’t blame the guy for wanting to sign up with the Jazz and only focusing on a championship. If the Jazz are going to win a loaded Western Conference, Green is going to need to be the “everyman” for the team.
Head coach Quin Snyder said he expects Green to be a ball handler.
“(He wants me) as a versatile guy who can rebound and push it. I think it would be a good challenge and will be fun for me,” said Green.
He seemed to accept that challenge in Utah’s 133-99 preseason loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Early in the 2nd quarter, he rebounded the ball, pushed it up the floor, banged into the guy guarding him and then deftly banked it in for 2 of his 7 points.
𝙘𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩 【2】 c̳o̳a̳s̳t̳ pic.twitter.com/COZCAX04TG
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 10, 2019
Snyder also wants Green to be vocal on defense, pick up the team’s new schemes, make plays on offense and slash to the basket from the corner.
“Just doing it all,” said Green. “He’s encouraging me to be special this year and it’s lovely to have him in my corner.”
Green rewarded his coach’s faith in him against the Bucks. He wasn’t perfect, but he played solid perimeter defense in Milwaukee and also grabbed 6 rebounds in one half of play. Green displayed his playmaking abilities when he drove to the basket and make the perfect pass to Tony Bradley for an easy lay-up.
The versatile forward had no problem moving the ball to Georges Niang in the second quarter before getting it back and nailing a 3-pointer.
🚦 Green means 𝙂𝙊 pic.twitter.com/ls6ezRoGXR
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 10, 2019
If you couldn’t tell from the game against Adelaide, Green can still jump like crazy.
📹| @unclejeffgreen with 16p | 2 3pm | 2s ⬇️#TakeNote | #ADEatUTA pic.twitter.com/nABjkJkb5V
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 6, 2019
Niang praised Green’s athleticism, but he also said he’s a great guy and a veteran leader.
“He’s been doing it for a while now, so the advice that he gives is amazing and I try to pick his brain any time that I can,” Niang said.
Pride has been set aside. Green is ready to start or come off the bench. He’s ready to score or pass. He’s willing to push and press.
“I’m down to do whatever it takes to help this team win. I’m going to do whatever it takes. There is not one thing that I can’t do,” said Green.
