Memphis Grizzlies Could Have Used Jeff Green’s Production in 2015
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jeff Green has excelled in a way the Memphis Grizzlies wish he would have in 2015.
It was February of 2015. The Memphis Grizzlies had four of five starting positions solidified. It had not been long since they shipped out Rudy Gay and experimented with Tayshaun Prince. The team had been longing for a big-name small forward. The Grizzlies were rumored to be targeting veteran forwards Luol Deng or Jeff Green.
Prior to the NBA Trade Deadline, Memphis had thought they stole a potential All-Star forward from the Boston Celtics. They landed Jeff Green, who, at the time, was putting up the most points per game of his career with 17.6.
It was a rather sweet deal oozing with benefits. Green, the fifth overall selection of the 2007 NBA Draft, could play minutes at the three or four spots. When sliding into the power forward position, all-time Grizz great Zach Randolph could be relieved of all the banging in the paint and would gain rest on the bench. It also allowed the bench to gain great depth as Jeff could start or play as a reserve. The possibilities were nearly endless.
It seemed as if nothing could possibly go wrong. On paper, this was arguably the franchise’s best roster of all-time. The Memphis Grizzlies hit this one out of the park, right?!
Wrong.
Jeff Green became very streaky offensively and never provided the defensive impact to make up for his offensive lapses. For instance, on March 21st, 2015 in a victory for the Grizzlies over the Portland Trail Blazers, Green splashed home five of seven attempted triples — finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds, and a +/- score of +15. Two nights later in Memphis’ next regularly scheduled meeting, Jeff shot just four-of-nine from the field for a total of 12 points to combine with only three boards, one assist, one block, and a +/- score of +12.
The Memphis Grizzlies won both of these games, but Jeff Green’s wide range of fluctuation in productivity in 2015 is well-documented. He was a streaky shooter and scorer and continues to be just that today as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. If he was not putting points on the board, then it was most likely going to be a sour night for his squad. This was not limited to regular season action.
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In the 2015 NBA Playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies saw the outcome of their games typically follow Jeff Green’s lead. In times the 6’9″ forward would accumulate a +/- score of -3 or higher, the Grizz won six of 11 playoff games. Needless to say, Memphis lost all three of the playoff contests in which Green tallied a +/- score of -10 or worse.
In 11 playoff games spread over the course of two rounds, JG struggled to find his jump shot. As the Memphis Grizzlies needed points, he disappeared in the season’s most important contests. Jeff Green shot 50% from the field in just one of those 11 playoff meetings. In taking the eventual champs — the Golden State Warriors — to six games in the 2015 Western Conference Semifinals, Grizz fans definitely still ponder what could have been if Green would have been able to shake the shooting funk. For Jeff, it just was not meant to be for him and the Grizzlies.
Ultimately, in 2018, Jeff Green has come alive for Cleveland in the final two games of their Western Conference Finals matchup with the Boston Celtics. He propelled the Cavs to victories in Game 6 and Game 7 with 14 and 19 points, respectively, including a combined 46% accuracy from the field. Over the course of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, JG has displayed a positive +/- score in 11 of 18 appearances. It is safe to say that he has stepped his game up another notch despite remaining in the role player position. Being teammates with LeBron James, he definitely does not need to be a star for their team to be highly successful.
The best part of seeing Jeff playing in his first NBA Finals is that he is healthy and able to play after undergoing open heart surgery during the 2011-12 season. However, from a basketball perspective, it pains the Memphis Grizzlies knowing it should have been a pairing of Green and Grizz for both parties’ first trip to the championship round.
If LeBron James and the Cavaliers want to bring home the championship trophy this season, they will absolutely need Jeff Green to be a major contributor. Game 1 of the Cavs’ duel with the Golden State Warriors tips off tonight at 8:00 PM Central Time in Oakland, California. The NBA Finals will be nationally televised on ABC.
Go Grizz!