Boston Celtics: 4 Reasons the Celtics Had to Bring Jeff Green Back

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The Boston Celtics can breathe a major sigh of relief with free agent Jeff Green set to re-sign with the team.

According to SI.com's Sam Amick, the Celtics have reportedly agreed to terms with the top-notch talent on what is a multi-year deal. Amick also mentions the team is confident he is fully healthy. 

ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg reported that Green was unable to play with the team for the entirety of last season after suffering from a ruptured aorta.

The Celtics have to be especially content with the fact that Green will be back and without health issues. Green was as productive as any talent in his near 24 minutes per game with his physical defense, solid scoring and aggressive rebounding. There are few who boast the all-around game that Green does, and his play was surely missed last season.

These are the four reasons why bringing back Green was a must for the Boston Celtics this offseason.

Grabs Rebounds

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At 6'9'', Jeff Green is a major athlete at the swingman position. His ability to record rebounds is something these Celtics missed last season without him.

The Celtics ranked No. 30 in the league last season when it came to cleaning up the glass. The mere 38.8 boards per game for the team is a mark that Rivers knows must improve drastically next season for a title run.

In the 2010-11 season Green averaged 3.3 rebounds in just 23.5 minutes per game for the Celtics. Considering the playing time he is given, there is no question Green can grab rebounds.

Adding both PF Jared Sullinger and C Fab Melo in the draft was a move in the right direction. The Green acquisition gives the Celtics a sure-fire rebounder in the rotation and will help this team dramatically next season.

Can Play Starter's Minutes

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Before joining the Celtics, Green started 208 of his last 209 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With the Thunder he averaged between 36.8 and 37.1 minutes per game in his final two-and-a-half seasons with the team. The Celtics know this is a player who can play big minutes and will be able to contribute if Paul Pierce goes down to injury next season.

Not to mention, when Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett retire from the game, Danny Ainge has to believe Green will be the team's top small forward.

Strong Defender

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When it was time to guard the best players, Jeff Green was always the go-to guy for the Celtics.

Green is a talent a lot like James Posey was for the Celtics in their 2008 championship run. He will play tough perimeter defense against an opposing team's best player.

In the 2010-11 season, Green's defense on the Heat's LeBron James was critical for the Celtics in the postseason. Without Green last season, the Celtics were left with Brandon Bass guarding James, a matchup that left Bass struggling to stay with basketball's best.

Arguably the most integral reason to bring Green back is for his defense—it will complete the team next season.

The Insurance Policy for Paul Pierce

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It's hard to believe that the Boston Celtics will soon be without Pierce, but, of course, it's inevitable.

After playing all 14 seasons of his NBA career with the team, Pierce is now nearing the final years in the league. Truthfully, there is no replacing the impact and superstar play that Pierce put on display with Boston.

Green is by no means the next Pierce, but he is undoubtedly a strong replacement. He has proven he can play starter's minutes at the swingman spot and play tough defense. These qualities will certainly make Green a promising talent for years to come in Beantown.