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Cleveland Cavaliers: The Jeff Green factor

By Duane Rohrbacher

Milwaukee, WI - OCTOBER 20: Dwyane Wade #9 and Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 20, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee, WI - OCTOBER 20: Dwyane Wade #9 and Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 20, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA world didn’t blink when the Cleveland Cavaliers signed forward Jeff Green to a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract. But will they be blinking when Jeff Green’s impact is felt in the postseason?

By all accounts, Jeff Green is close to done. He just turned 31. He’s already played for seven teams. He had to sit out an entire year due to a heart issue (similar to teammate Channing Frye). What possibly could Green offer the Cleveland Cavaliers? The answer is a lot.

Green is consistent

Jeff Green is a consistent basketball player. He’s shot right around 43% from the field in every season of his career. He has played in at least 69 games every season, with five seasons over 80 games. He’s good for about 12 to 13 points per game. He averages about 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He’s a solid 7th or 8th guy off the bench on an NBA team.

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Green has playoff experience

Jeff Green has advanced to the playoffs five times, playing 38 playoff games in his career. Just like the regular season, Green has been a consistent contributor in the playoffs, averaging 11/4/1.5 in those five seasons.  Green’s experience falls in line with Kyle Korver’s, JR Smiths, and now suddenly, the Cavs have veterans with real playoff experience.

Green’s size matters

Jeff Green is a power forward. He’s 6’9, 235 pounds. He’s a large gentleman. He can swing the small forward to power forward roles easily. For the first time since LeBron’s return to Cleveland, or possibly in LeBron’s career, he has a true backup. Udonis Haslem and Richard Jefferson were not true backups. Jeff Green (and depends on how the Cavs use him, Jae Crowder) can actually backup LeBron, pound for pound, true to position and style of play. Green’s always better a better defender than offender, with a career -0.4 DBPM. His size, when next to LeBron especially, gives LeBron more room to wiggle.

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The Cavaliers’ rotation will shift several times throughout this season, and due to his size, experience, and consistent, Jeff Green’s minutes should never be in question.