Gerald Green takes on major supporting role at Rockets scrimmage

PHOTOS: Newcomers at 2018 Rockets training camp

Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) has a video taken during their Media Day at the Post Oak Hotel Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Houston.

>>>See photos of newcomers at the Rockets' 2018 training camp ... less Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) has a video taken during their Media Day at the Post Oak Hotel Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Houston. PHOTOS: Newcomers at 2018 Rockets training camp

Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) has a video taken during their Media Day at the Post Oak Hotel Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Houston.

>>>See ... more Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) has a video taken during their Media Day at the Post Oak Hotel Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Houston. Photo: Steve Gonzales, Staff Photographer Photo: Steve Gonzales, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Gerald Green takes on major supporting role at Rockets scrimmage 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Rockets extended Wednesday’s scrimmage for 10 minutes primarily because the second team beat the starters and Gerald Green let them hear about it.

By Thursday’s video and drills day at training camp, James Harden said he had to put things right, Green said pushing the starters was his job and Mike D’Antoni was still happy to see the competition.

“Yeah, they won a drill or something and they wanted to quit like they won a championship,” Harden said. “So, I had to let him know about it. Once he got back on that court, he woke up that beast. That was it. I dragged him on the court.”

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By then, Carmelo Anthony and Eric Gordon were done for the day, leaving Green’s second unit a bit short-handed.

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“That was his excuse, but who cares?," Harden said. “They didn’t want any more action.”

Green, however, said his mission had been accomplished.

“I’m just trying to push them, push everybody as hard as I can,” Green said. “We’re not going to go anywhere without that first unit being the best they can be. So, my job is to push those guys so they can be the best unit in the world right now. I know they’re the best unit in the world. We’ll be able to go as far as we can.”

D’Antoni praised Green’s “enthusiasm,” but said he celebrated the success of the second unit with just the right balance.

“There’s so many little things Gerald brings; it doesn’t go unappreciated,” D’Antoni said. “We see it every day. Just the scrimmage when the second team beat the first team, he has just the right amount of oomph. Just the right amount where it’s good. It gets the first team psyched, but it’s not silly. He has just the right amount of personality. It’s perfect for the team.”