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Gregg Popovich on Cavs Danny Green signing: 'An underrated defender and a great teammate'

george m. thomas, akron beacon journal
·2 min read
Feb 5, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Danny Green (14) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defend during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Danny Green (14) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defend during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The Cavs made the signing of forward Danny Green official Wednesday.

Green signed a one-year contract, rejoining the team that selected him in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Green was waived after a three-team deal that sent him to Houston last week. He’s played for Memphis, Philadelphia the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto, San Antonio and the Cavs in his 14-year career.

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Green, 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, is considered throughout the league a defensive player who can shoot the three. He owns a career 39.9% shooting percentage from the arc and has connected on at least 100 3-pointers in 11-of-14 seasons. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich understands who the Cavs are getting with Green’s return.

“A guy that is a very confident shooter, an underrated defender and a great teammate,” he said recently. “He's fun to be around. He loves playing the game. He understands his role completely, and he'll fit right in.”

Just as importantly, he gives a still young Cavs team a veteran voice in the locker room, one that has played on three NBA championship teams [Spurs, Raptors and Lakers].

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“He's going to say things. It'll be great for J.B [Bickerstaff]. to have another person there who's been through all sorts of different situations. He'll talk to somebody on the bus or on the plane,” he said. “It's just like osmosis. He'll provide a lot of information that all the coaches won't have time for, or they'll be happy that they have an additional quote, unquote coach that kind of knows what's going on. It's all good for sure.”

Green career averages: 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.03 steals in 25.3 minutes per game. He’s played in 165 playoff games, averaging 8.1 points, 3.2 rebounds in 25.6 minutes.

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Beacon Journal sports reporter Nate Ulrich contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Gregg Popovich offers praise for Cavs' acquisition of Danny Green