Jeff Green excited to be back with the Boston Celtics – NBA News
After being sidelined for the whole past season with a heart condition, followed by months of rehab and recovery process to get himself back into shape, it would an understatement to say that Jeff Green has had a tough year.
All his hardships and sorrows turned into joy though when he took part in the Boston Celtics training on opening day of training camp. Celtics coach Doc Rivers ran his team through a three hour training session which had many
players exhausted, but Green was just happy to be back on the basketball court.
“I was happy to be back on the floor. People don't make a big deal out of practice, but I was glad to have a practice under my belt and get going. I was trying not to smile too much during practice. I had to keep a straight face.
I mean, it's hard. I let some emotions go, telling all the players I'm happy to be back, just encouraging them,” said Green after the practice.
Green was diagnosed with a heart condition before the start of the last season, and had to sit on the sidelines and wait for test results to come back while his teammates participated in training for the 2011-2012 season. When
the results did come back, it was sad news for Green, who later underwent a surgery and was ruled out for the whole season. now, 9 months since the surgery, Green is back on the court with his teammates and ready to start a new phase in his career.
“Having Kevin [Garnett] to my left, Paul [Pierce] to my right, playing with [Rajon] Rondo, Jason [Terry] -- it's a blessing, just to be in this position again to play basketball," said Green.
Green was traded by the Boston Celtics from the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline during the 2010-2011 NBA season, and played only a few games for the Celtics before they were eliminated in the playoffs.
Only in his fifth NBA season, Green knows that he has many years ahead of him if he manages to stay healthy. His next aim is to improve his overall game, particularly his rebounding skills.
Kevin Garnett, the Celtics legendary centre, believes that Green has tremendous talent which the team is yet to see in his game. With the kind of pressure on his shoulders, Green wants to make this season count, and it is only
a few weeks till he gets his ultimate opportunity.
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