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Clippers: 4 takeaways from Jeff Green’s time in L.A. so far

By Tom West

March 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeff Green (8) moves the ball against New York Knicks guard Sasha Vujacic (18) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeff Green (8) moves the ball against New York Knicks guard Sasha Vujacic (18) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket in front of Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeff Green (8) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket in front of Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeff Green (8) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

He adds extra rim protection (sometimes)

As is the case with every strength and weakness that Jeff Green brings to the Clippers, they appear sporadically. However, one valuable element of his game that has at least allowed him to make a greater impact defensively than players like Jamal Crawford and Paul Pierce is his ability to elevate and block shots.

The most consistent aspect of Green’s skill set is a physical one, and it’s without doubt his explosiveness. When he’s switched on and is ready to run the floor to prevent easy fast break points, chase down cutters to the basket or come in as a help defender down low, Green has been able to add a few impressive rejections to his brief Clippers highlight reel.

For instance, this block on 6’10” center Nikola Jokic shows what Green is capable of when he fully puts his length and athleticism to use.

Jeff Green blocks Jokic gif
Jeff Green blocks Jokic gif /

The more rejections like this that Green can muster the better. The Clippers’ overall team defense has improved immensely over the course of the season and the comparison to last season is striking. In 2014-15, they ranked a dead average 15th in defensive efficiency, and that ranking has now soared 7th. Pablo Prigioni, Cole Aldrich and even Wesley Johnson were solid additions in this regard, but the rest of the team has still developed.

Green can also help defensively with a few sound plays, averaging 1.2 blocks per 36 minutes while raising the Clippers’ block percentage from 8.7 when he’s off the floor to 11.5 when he takes to the court. It’s a key element of his frequently disappointing potential that other wings on the team don’t have.

However, while plays such as these look great, Green’s defense is far from perfect. In terms of maintaining constant intensity (that’s kind of the trend with Green if you haven’t already noticed), awareness and positioning, he’s flawed. There are times when Green floats around the floor lacking purpose, speed and any real sense of intent. When that causes him to leave his man open, not box out for a rebound or arrive late as a help defender, he detracts from the Clippers’ success immediately.

Thankfully, he has some moments where he can make key plays.

Next: He adds a driving dynamic to the bench

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