Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeff Green is proving his worth as a starter
Jeff Green has been a very consistent player for the Cleveland Cavaliers off the bench for much of this season. However, due to the amount of injuries this team is facing, he has been placed into the starting lineup. Just now are we witnessing just how valuable Jeff Green really is.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been dealing with an abundance of injuries as of late. These players include Tristan Thompson, Cedi Osman, Rodney Hood and Larry Nance Jr. Due to the lack of bodies, certain players are having to step their game up a notch in order for the team to succeed. Jeff Green is one of those players.
This season, Jeff Green is averaging 10.7 points and 3.3 rebounds, while shooting 47.6% from the field. While the majority of games he has come off the bench, Green has found himself in the starting lineup lately. Not just at the small forward position, but Green has played both the power forward and the center position in games, and has played them at a very high level.
To add, over the past five games, Jeff Green has been as good as anybody on the floor. He has scored double-digits in all five games, and is averaging 15.4 points over that span. Throughout those stretch of games, the Cavaliers are (4-1), and beating their opponents by over nine points per game.
More from Cavs Analysis
- The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
- This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
- Projecting how much Cavs’ 3 two-way signings might play this season
- 4 Cavaliers looking to make a name for themselves in training camp
- Mitchell’s numbers getting trimmed a bit wouldn’t be bad thing for Cavaliers
Yet, not just is Green scoring a lot, but he’s also playing very valuable minutes.
When coming off the bench, Jeff Green is averaging 22.1 minutes a night. However, much recently as a starter, Green is playing 33.4 minutes per contest. The great thing about Green; when his minutes increase, so does just about everything else.
When coming off the bench, Green averages 10.5 points 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks. However, when starting, Green is averaging 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals. A noticeable difference in almost every statistical category.
Green is showing he is truly a Swiss army knife type of player who can perform on both ends. On the fast break, he bullies his way through the lane, finishing at the rim. His post game resembles the effectiveness of Kevin Love’s and LeBron James’.
His midrange jumper provides spacing on the court, and while his three-point shooting is inconsistent at times, he has demonstrated he’s more than capable of hitting that shot. In addition, he has proven to be one of the Cavs’ best on-ball defenders, at times taking on the challenge of guarding the opponent’s best player.
At the end of the day, whether Green starts or comes off the bench, he has proved to this team that they do in-fact need him. On both ends of the court, he has shown his worth and just how valuable he really is.