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Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeff Green deserves to be a starter

By Nathan Beighle

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers passes the ball against the Chicago Bulls on December 4, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers passes the ball against the Chicago Bulls on December 4, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Although the Cleveland Cavaliers have rattled off 14 of their last 15, they still have room to grow, and making Jeff Green a starter could be a good first step.

The Cleveland Cavaliers currently start Jose Calderon, JR Smith, Jae Crowder, LeBron James, and Kevin Love. While Jose Calderon is undoubtedly going to be replaced, the Cavs should also consider putting Jeff Green in the starting lineup over Jae Crowder.

The Cavaliers have one of the most dynamic second units which is led by Wade and Green. Wade, who started the first couple games but settled into his bench role, is flourishing in his 15th season. Wade and Green are both easily the most efficient players off the bench for Cleveland. Green, however, is the only other second unit member that might be able to outplay his starting counterpart, and he should be given the chance to.

Jeff Green has averaged 10.4 points per game this season which is his tenth. Green is also shooting over 50% from the field. His consistency has really been showing through this season. Along with 3.5 rebounds per game and just 1.0 turnovers per game, Jeff Green has been a consistent force off the bench. To top it all off, Green is putting up these consistent numbers in just under 22 minutes per game.

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His counterpart, Jae Crowder, has been almost the exact opposite. Crowder has received more time than Green, averaging 25.8 minutes per game, and he’s far less productive. Crowder makes just 38% of his shots from the field. Crowder also averages just 8.5 points per game. Just comparing their shooting and scoring numbers, it’s easy to see that Green has been much more efficient in Cleveland.

To add to that, the starters could use the extra efficiency. The Cleveland Cavaliers starters average just 70.0 points per game which rank 16th in the NBA. However, the Cavaliers second unit picks up the slack and scores 40.8 per game which is in the top 5 in scoring benches throughout the entire Association.

Green’s offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating are all more impressive than Crowder’s too, even though Crowder plays the majority of his time with the starters. Throughout the first 27 games, Crowder has a -6 net rating, which doesn’t compare well to Green’s +8 net rating. Even taking into consideration their entire units, Green still outweighs Crowder.

Jeff Green is a big reason why the second unit has seen such success, and with several other changes inevitably happening in the next couple weeks, trying to transition Green into the starting unit could not come at a better time.

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The only question left is why haven’t Tyronn Lue and his staff tested out Green as a starter. He’s proven his value, and now he needs to be rewarded for it.