CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Gerald Green's Sophomore Diary

October 27, 2006

Last year we enjoyed reading Green's Rookie Diaries in Sports Illustrated. It appears that he will continue posting his Sophomore Diaries in SI this season.

I'M A VETERAN! O.K., SO MAYBE NOT A REAL VET (MOST OF THE ROOKIES ARE OLDER THAN ME), BUT IT'S DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT FEELING THIS TIME.

He discusses how John Lucas broke down his weaknesses and turned them into strength and he relates that the coaches are happy with his progress.

This summer wasn't all baskeball, though, Gerald helped his sister with her new baby and got to take a vacation.

My mom saw how burned out I was, so she suggested I take a vacation. I always said that if I could ever afford it, I'd go to Paris. So I did it. I went for a week with my girlfriend, Doris Martinez. France is a cool country -- we went sightseeing, and the Eiffel Tower is something else. Being there gave me a chance to recharge.

Now, he says it is time to get back to work. One thing he makes clear is that he really doesn't want to go back to the D-League.

I know what Coach [Doc Rivers] expects of me, and the type of hard-nosed defender I need to be. I'm ready. There are good players here, and getting minutes will be tough, but if I play my game, attacking the basket and playing that lock-down defense on the perimeter, I'll be all right. Just as long as I don't have to go back to the D-League. I can't tell you how much I don't want to go back. I feel like I'm an NBA player right now. My goal is to prove that every night.

[More]

source: SI.com

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Comments:

From reports that I've read, Green is still lost on defense. But my hopes still remain high for this young wing player. I'm with Ainge in thinking that defense can be taught. Green can be a stellar offensive player, but I think he can be taught to be a solid defender. Maybe never a lockdown defender like Bowen, but enough to bother a player's shot and stay with his man.

Green did not have a big preseason, but all it takes is one big game for Green to get it going. Just like in the summer league, he had 2 quiet games to start off the summer, but he exploded in the final 3. Once he gets comfortable and has a big game, his confidence soars and he's likely to keep it going.

# posted by

derrenmatts : 11:30 PM

Pierce talks about Green as being the next player to explode on the C's. Like it's his time.

# posted by

Loyalist : 5:30 AM

Yes, I agree that defense can be taught. Most likely, the players like Rondo and Allen who are tough defensive players were taught somewhere in their their career to play that way. The problem is, I don't believe that Doc is a coach that can teach defense. I think Kevin Eastman is, though and hopefully he gets to work with the players teaching them the fundamentals.

# posted by

FLCeltsFan : 8:20 AM

Right, I don't know if Rivers or Tony Brown can teach defense, especially at the level we want the players to reach. Ainge has done a good job with bringing in helpful assistance like Eastman and Clifford Ray. Now he has to bring in a defensive minded coach for the guards and wing players to learn under.

I think Gerald will have a big year this year, as for a young 20 year old kid. Maybe not a breakout year (that'll come next season), but maybe 10 ppg off the bench.

# posted by

derrenmatts : 2:15 PM

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