LA Clippers acquires Jeff Green from the Memphis Grizzlies to fill scorer-defender role come playoffs. (Photo : Getty Images/J Pat Carter)
The Los Angeles Clippers managed to secure veteran forward Jeff Green from the Memphis Grizzlies before the trade deadline. Green, a former standout from Georgetown University, said he is happy with the development.
The Clippers offered Lance Stephenson and a lottery-protected draft pick to acquire Green from the Grizzlies. Observers said that Green will provide the Clippers with the much-needed versatility at the three and four positions. LA Times quoted Clippers head coach and general manager Doc Rivers as saying that Green is what the team requires right now, especially with power forward Blake Griffin out for a month due to a broken hand
Apart from giving the Clippers another scoring option, Green is expected to become crucial defensive piece if the team enters the playoffs. Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford acknowledged Green's ability to guard multiple positions with his size and length. Standing at 6'9, Green is capable of playing small and power forward positions, while his length and size will allow him to defend elite forwards of the top West Conference teams.
"When you look at the teams we have to beat, we need to get longer, more athletic, and we need to increase our shooting," Rivers told NBA.com. "I think with Jeff we did all three of those things."
Green said he expects to easily meld with the Clippers, as the move to LA reunites him with Rivers, whom he played for during his stint with the Boston Celtics. Joining the Clippers with Rivers at the helm, Green said he knows what his coach demands of him. "Having played two years with Doc and knowing what he expects from his players is big."
Getting traded to the Clippers also represents a huge opportunity for Green, whose former team, the Memphis Grizzlies, is expected to fall short this season after Grizzlies' center Marc Gasol suffered a fractured foot.
Most of Green's points come from sneaky slashes and fast breaks, although he can also shoot from a distance, making him a flexible swingman as well.
See Grizzlies' season highlights video below:
