Oklahoma City Thunder’s original, Jeff Green, travels with his Boston Celtics to play the Thunder on Sunday. It’ll be a nationally televised game on ABC. That said, it’ll be a really emotional one too.
His final memory in Oklahoma City isn’t exactly a great one. He bricked a really bad three-point attempt against the San Antonio Spurs, which ultimately ended up losing the Thunder the ball game. He didn’t play well all game. Like all players who go through bad stretches. Then he was traded the following day.
For you new or younger Thunder fans who don’t Remember. In February of 2011, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic to Boston for Nate Robinson and Kendrick Perkins. Perkins has been a staple in the Thunder line up ever since, and Nate Robinson just spent one year here before being given a buy out.
Krstic finished his season in Boston, putting up the same numbers he put here in Oklahoma City. Was still a defensive liability, but found out how to hit that mid range jumper as well. Jeff Green played decent to finish the season, but then missed the following season due to heart surgery.
Jeff Green has returned to the Celtics, signing a 4-year $40-million dollar deal this offseason. Although many writers have clamored that he was over paid, which is always the case in the NBA, he’s starting to show his worth as of late. He’s shooting a career high in field goal percentage, as well as free throw percentage.
Good for Uncle Jeff.
Green found himself facing the Thunder earlier this year in Boston, he made them pay. Green shot 6-of-11 from the floor, including 5-of-5 from the free throw line. He hounded Kevin Durant all night. Oklahoma City would actually fall in Boston 108-100. A lot of credit went to Green for this one. He was explosive in his 25 minutes on the floor.
Despite all of that earlier this season. This will be Green’s first return to home since the trade. The Celtics traveled without him last year due to the surgery and they didn’t play here after the trade in 2011. So, It’s been two years since the trade. It’s hard to believe.
All that said above, Jeff Green deserves a standing ovation. All he did for his time in Oklahoma City needs to be commended. In fact, anything less of a standing ovation and a tribute video by the organization would be unclassy.
Don’t get me wrong, Green is a fantastic person and a very solid team mate. However, it’s hard to deny that the trade helped Oklahoma City immensely. Where Oklahoma City has reached since the trade, wouldn’t have been possible with Green. Sam Presti made the move, while not exactly popular with a lot of locals, helped create this team into the contender they now are.
So, let’s cheer Green on, let’s show him that we appreciated everything he did while in Oklahoma City. Let’s show him we didn’t forget. However, like all players that have come and gone through Oklahoma City. Once that ball is thrown up for the opening tip, you’re now just one of the guys.
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