ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 24: Javonte Green #43 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on January 24, 2020 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

Forever a hero, even to the enemy: A Celtics tribute to the career and life of Kobe Bryant

Forever a hero, even to the enemy: A Celtics tribute to the career and life of Kobe Bryant by Andrew DiIorio

Javonte Green is becoming a game changer for the Boston Celtics, but his road to get to this point was not easy and he’s not taking any moment for granted.

Although his road to the NBA was not easy, Javonte Green has easily become one of the fan favorites on the Boston Celtics.

After going undrafted in 2015, the Radford University product would end up playing in the Spanish League’s LEB Plata. Green earned MVP after finishing his rookie season with 18 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.

The following season Green would sign with Pallacanestro Trieste of an Italian basketball league, Serie A2 Basket. After two great seasons with Trieste, Green drew interest from the Phoenix Suns and earn an invite to NBA Summer League after averaging 17.7 points, 6.8 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.5 assists per game in 2017.

Green didn’t gain much interest from the Phoenix Suns or any other NBA teams during his time in the Summer League, forcing him to go back to play overseas in the Euro League. Green would then sign with ratiopharm Ulm of Germany and eventually played his final season overseas.

Along with an invitation from the Boston Celtics to attend NBA Summer League, the explosive talent would finish his final season averaging 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game in 2018. Impressively, Green would finish his career overseas averaging over 2 steals per game in each season.

Once the Boston Celtics got an up close and personal study of Javonte Green in the Summer League, there was no way the Celtics were going to let him get away. Whether it was to sign him to the roster (as they did) or give him one of their two-way contracts for the season, he was going to stay within the Boston Celtics organization.

In the five Summer League games with the Boston Celtics, Green averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He then crushed it during the preseason, thus elevating his stock even more to the point where the Boston Celtics named him to their final 15 man roster.

The Boston Celtics made Javonte Green’s dream come true when they signed him to a 2-year, $2.5 million contract at the end of the summer. And when Green hit the court for the first time in a real NBA game, he became the first alumnus from Radford University to play in the NBA.

“It always hits me that I’m an NBA player. Sometimes I feel it’s a dream come true, so I have to soak it in — everything around me.” – Javonte Green, per Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald

Green is an extremely versatile two-way player who is explosive and adds defensive pressure to the floor. He can get to the basket rather easily and has a soft release when shooting the ball. Trying to defend him is going to be a challenge as he’s excellent at both driving and shooting.

Green is a perfect blend of Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. He is extremely athletic and is the fastest player I’ve ever seen move with basketball, while also being a defensive minded player on the other end.

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In one of his most recent games against the Orlando Magic, Green’s great defense shut-down Terrance Ross, only allowing him to shoot 1-8 when guarding him in the second half. His pressure on the defensive end will eventually start to change games for the Boston Celtics. Coach Brady Stevens praises Green in the locker room after the game.

“He’s the one we singled out in the locker room, because that’s what good teams do. They have guys that take those little things about the game and try to help you win.” – Brad Stevens, per John Karalis of MassLive

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The Boston Celtics are a better team with Javonte Green on the roster. Moving forward, his role is going to become more important and valuable during the second half of the season.