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Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeff Green needs consistency in his role

By Nathan Beighle

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 28: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 28, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 28: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 28, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers added on Jeff Green this offseason, and he should be taking on a larger role than Coach Lue and his staff have given him.

Jeff Green has been, by Cleveland’s standards, fantastic this season. From going to minimal bench production to several of their key offensive producers being on the bench, the Cleveland Cavaliers have finally been able to equally distribute the scoring, for the most part. Green and several others have been able to completely flip the dynamic of this team from the second unit.

Although, for the most part, Green’s role has been inconsistent, even though the starting forwards have not suffered any injuries. Following the game against the Houston Rockets, where Green logged 27 points and single-handedly helped them come back from 18+ with a monster 20 point second quarter, I thought Green’s role might have finally solidified as the go-to bench option for Cleveland. Obviously, I was not even close to correct.

After dropping those 27 points in 37 minutes, Green was awarded just 15 minutes as he got to watch the majority of the game as the New York Knicks thrash the Cavaliers by 19 points at home. Jeff Green has simply played too well to not be given a defined role.

For the minutes he is allotted, Jeff Green stacks up favorably compared to other second unit members around the NBA. Green has averaged 10.5 points per game, which is 29th among bench players and 14th among the bench players that have played in over 10 or more games. As for his minutes, Green’s 20.9 minutes per game is not even within the top 60 bench players. Green has been phenomenal this season but has not received the opportunity he rightfully deserves.

Green has played in all fourteen games for the Cavaliers this season, which shows his value and durability. Green’s minutes, although they fluctuate, seem to either come in bulk or not at all. In four of the seven games in which Green has received over 20 minutes, he has scored over 10 points, and in his only game with over 30 minutes, he scored 27 points.

It’s not just that Green scores in his minutes, but he scores efficiently. Of the eight Cavaliers that attempt over five shots per game, Jeff Green’s 49.5% from the field ranks third only behind Kyle Korver and LeBron James. Around the league, Green’s percentage is equally as impressive. Green’s percentage ranks 13th among second unit players that have played in ten games and have taken at least five shots per game.

Green’s impact is also one of the most notable of any Cavalier. He has a 2.6 net rating on a team which has over half of their players with a negative net rating. Green has had success this season, and his net rating, field goal percentage, and points per game should all speak for themselves.

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Attempting to revive his career in Cleveland, Green has shown sparks of the veteran asset we knew he could be, but to unlock his full potential Coach Lue and his staff much find him a role that is both consistent and that he can excel in.