Jeff Green, Boston Celtics: Ainge's Genius Trade Moves, Examined
One week past the trade deadline, and the Celtics' trade moves are starting to make sense.
Danny Ainge's awareness of the influx of small forwards in the division caused him to shift the team's focus. Marquis Daniels' injury left Ainge's very little choice, as Paul Pierce, knowing what was to come in the playoffs, was asking for help.
This caused him to trade Kendrick Perkins and recoup Jeff Green, the fifth pick in the 2007 draft that netted Boston the "Big Three." Let us not forget the re-acquisition of Delonte West, who was also part of that trade.
Ainge essentially rented Green out to the Oklahoma Thunder for three years; he was a fantastic apprentice. Now the apprentice has come home to hone his skills under the tutelage of Paul Pierce.
Green has a similar skill set as Pierce, and at an athletic 6'9'', is Pierce's likely heir apparent. No doubt his head is spinning in the presence of all those championship banners, hall-of-famers and future hall-of-famers, but in the few games he has played so far, he's shown glimpses of his fluid and effortless movement on the court.
Doc Rivers has thrown Green in the middle of the fray, and he has no choice but to learn on the fly. His learning curve will be increased because of Glen "Big Baby" Davis' injury. Davis will be sidelined for at least a week, and Green will see significant playing time in his absence.
Boston is in a soft part of their schedule, which will allow them to ingratiate him more into the system and mold the second unit. If the lessons translate well on the court, Boston will be a more dangerous team in the long run.
