Boston Celtics man Jeff Green finds positives in the injury layoff – NBA Update
Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green is relieved that his heart ailment was discovered in the preseason, even though it ended the season for him. Green suffers from an aortic aneurysm that will require surgery in January, and the
forward will have to sit out and get back to fitness for the rest of the year.
At least one former NBA player has died from the condition and Green is therefore pleased that it was discovered when it was, because he doesn’t believe anything could be more important than his health. Furthermore, the timely
discovery and surgery would mean that Jeff can return to basketball once fully recuperated and continue his career.
"I'm very relieved," Green said, "because I can play basketball again. It's a blessing it was found because you never know what could have happened."
The player is now not technically a part of the Boston Celtics franchise. He signed a one-year $9 million contract with the team only for it to be voided once his participation in the season was ruled out on medical grounds. Still,
he likes to hang around with the team and has travelled with them since the season started.
"It's like therapy, man -- being around the team. It really helps me relax and takes my mind off it because I don't want to be sitting around the house thinking about the whole thing," he said. "You can go crazy doing that. Just
being around the team, it really helps."
The Celtics too consider Jeff very much a part of their team and have been very supportive of him since the heart ailment was first discovered. Green’s absence has left Boston woefully short of cover in a year their veterans could
have used some help, but they have only had words of support and help for the small forward, who will be welcomed back in Boston once he recovers.
"Take your time, as far as recuperating and at the hospital," Green said of the team's message. "And then come back to Boston and start getting back to playing the game."
Boston only signed Jeff last season when he was involved in a deadline trade that sent centre Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Celtics missed Kendrick’s presence on defence in last season’s playoffs, with the
player instead providing a solid platform for the exciting Oklahoma City team. However, Green was a useful commodity coming off the bench as a wing player who relieved some of the pressure on veteran stars Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
Jeff has certainly showed a few glimpses of exciting potential and Boston had him pencilled in as a long term replacement for Paul Pierce and, alongside Rajon Rondo, a leader for future Celtics teams. Those plans have now been
put on hold for a year.
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