Danny Green: A Second-Round Lottery Pick
The story of how Danny Green, a former UNC Basketball player, went from second round pick to valuable member of the San Antonio Spurs.
Lottery picks refer to draft picks determined by the NBA draft lottery. This process takes place with the teams that do not make the playoffs the previous season. They take part in a lottery process to determine the order of the upcoming NBA draft.
With the 2015 NBA Draft just around the corner, it should be noted that a “second-round lottery pick” represents an oxymoron. However, when you think about how Danny Green’s career has been, then this oxymoron becomes an appropriate title.
Green was a second-round draft pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He spent a a couple seasons there, then went to the NBA Developmental League (also known as the NBADL and the “D” League). The San Antonio Spurs gambled on Green by picking him up and it paid off because he became a star. Money shot!Two years ago, Green set the all-time record for most three-point field goals made in a NBA Finals (27). The previous holder of this record was Ray Allen.
North Carolina Tar Heels
During this current season, Danny Green broke the Spurs’ single-season record for most three-point field goals made (191). Chuck Person held this record previously when he made 190 three-pointers during the 1995-1996 season. This season, 61.9% of Green’s field goals are three-point field goals.
Green raised his averages in rebounds (4.2), assists (2), blocks (1.1), steals (1.2) and points (11.7) from last season. His field goal percentage (43.6%) and three-point field goal percentage (41.8%) increased slightly from the 2013-2014 season as well.
With this season being the final year in Green’s three-year $11.28 million contract, he is poised to earn big bucks in free agency. It is possible that Green may play for his hometown New York Knicks next season, since he hails from North Babylon, New York. However, he could stay with the Spurs.
The Spurs have a first-round playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. Green will be an important player for the Spurs in this critical matchup for both teams. In addition to being a three-point threat, Green has the ability to guard multiple positions. Expect to see Green guarding the Clippers’ Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, Matt Barnes and Blake Griffin throughout this series.
This should come as no surprise, since Green had a similar role with the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2006-2009. Throughout his college career, Green played three positions: shooting guard, small forward and power forward. On the 2009 national championship team, Green’s versatility was critical in UNC being the best team that year.
This holds true for the Spurs. Their stars may be Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and up-and-coming Kawhi Leonard (2014 NBA Finals MVP). However, Green is the jack-of-all-trades whose play will help decide which team wins this series. When Parker penetrates the post and kicks the ball out to the corner, expect to see Green catching the ball and nailing a three-pointer that ties the game, takes the lead or wins the game. Money shot!