Jeff Green Launches Back at Those Who Question His Inconsistency

Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green has heard the accusations that he is inconsistent, and he just doesn't care.

Green addressed his critics in a very pointed interview with Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, and he pulled no punches:

"

They don’t know, because they haven’t been through it. That’s why I say I can care less what people say. They can talk and say whatever they want to say. You know, I don’t give a (expletive). It don’t bother me.

"

Green leads the Celtics in both total points (1,171) and points per game (17.0). The 17.0 points per game represent a career high for the six-year veteran. The Celtics have 12 games left on the season, so Green has a very good chance of surpassing his career high of 1,290 total points. That mark was set in Green's second season—2008-2009—when he was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Of course, those points haven't led to many victories for the 23-46 Celtics. The few games Boston has won this season were usually due to its defense. According to Basketball-Reference, the Celtics rank a decent 14th in defense efficiency but an embarrassing 27th in offensive efficiency.

And Green's scoring fluctuations have been a big reason behind the Celtics' shoddy offense. A chart of his game-by-game scoring totals would look like a radio wave—up and down, up and down, over and over.

Green has four games of at least 30 points, including a pair in which he scored 39—Jan. 22 at the Washington Wizards and March 16 at the New Orleans Pelicans. It should be noted that the Celtics only won one of those games (at Washington).

On the other hand, Green also has five games in which he has scored five or fewer points, including a two-point, 0-of-6 shooting performance in a Nov. 16 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It should come as no surprise that Boston lost all five of those games.

NBC Sports' Dan Feldman summarized Green's inconsistent scoring by comparing him to players who have matched his considerable highs this season:

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Jeff Green scored 39 points Sunday, making him one of just nine players to score that much multiple times this season.

The other eight – Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Kevin Love, James Harden, Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin – were all All-Stars.

But in the game before his most-recent 39-point outing, Green did something none of those eight did: score single digits. And in the game after his-most recent 39-point outing, Green did something none of those eight did: score single digits.

"

According to Pro Basketball Talk, Jeff Green is the only player in the NBA with 12 games of over 25 points and 12 games in single digits.

Jeff Green will likely never score at such an elite level on a consistent basis; he's just not that kind of player. That is why the Celtics will look to the 2014 draft to find a real No. 1 scorer.

* All statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.