Jeff GreenFrom the boxscore, the Sonics’ 120-107 loss to Sacramento in late March looked like just another L in their increasingly disappointing season. The Kings barely missed that night, shooting 55.1% from the field. KMart II hit for 31 points, and Ron Artest added 29 points and 12 boards. But if you looked a little bit closer, you’d see that on the Sonics’ side of the score, there was a sign of good things to come - of the clouds clearing for the future of Oklahoma City, er, I mean, Seattle basketball. For the first time all season, Kevin Durant touched the 25-point mark in the same game that Jeff Green scored at least 20.
Before that game, Green was averaging 8.2 points in games that Durant hit for 25. And in games that Durant tallied less than 15 points, Green’s numbers jumped to a shade under 12 points per. Oftentimes it seemed like Green watched Durant go to work without aggressively asserting himself as an integral part of the offense. And on the occasions that Green found his touch, KD went with a hands-off approach.
But since that game in the Key Arena against Sacramento, they’ve jived like they hadn’t for the first 60-something games of the year. In their next game on April 2nd, they combined for 47 points (30 for KD, 17 for Green), and then last night they absolutely torched the Nuggets’ pathetic defense for 72 points.
“It shows a lot of promise for the future of this franchise,” said Green. “Two guys who they are building around showed up in a big game tonight.”
Durant and Green looked like the most dominant duo on the floor, even as AI and ‘Melo had 64 points, 16 assists and 14 boards between the two of them.
“Kevin has had one or two games like this, but Jeff — I don’t think — has ever played this well,” said Nick Collison. “They’re not going to play like that every night, but hopefully they’ll be able to build on this and we’ll all benefit.
“This type of game is obviously what the coaches and management had in mind when they drafted them.”
April 7th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Daily boy says:
Those 2 are gonna be good for a long time, and with a sure top 5 pick in the draft, I think there going to bring it together real quickly.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:57 am
GEE...if 30 is the new 20 is 20 the new 10? says:
Yea yea yea tht is great and all. Green should have still stayed at G-Town. They certainly could have used him and would have been more of a monster. Don’t get me wrong I don’t know if anyone could have stopped Curry but your percentage certainly increases if you have Green.
I think he should have more of a green light with the Sonics. Dude can score. I am glad he is doing better.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Austin Burton says:
I’m a HUGE Green fan (G’town guy, ends up on my Sonics, and he’s a good dude in general) but I don’t think he should have been given more of a green light early in the season. His jumper was broke at the beginning of the year, and even still it’s not too reliable. Against Houston over the weekend his first two shots barely drew iron, and I’ve seen him throw up more ugly bricks than anyone on the Sonics this year. I also think he should have been brought along a little slower defensively. I like the idea of Jeff being a “put him on the other team’s best scorer” guy down the road, but throwing him out there on Kobe with no help like P.J. did in that 48-point game wasn’t the right way to go.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Jah says:
I like Kevin Durant and Jeff Green together. Now just some help inside…
April 7th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
GEE...if 30 is the new 20 is 20 the new 10? says:
I got to laugh at the Kobe thing first cause yea that was just plain wrong. I think they should have had him coming off screens and picks and things and rolling to the basket more. Again mainly I think he should have stayed in school. Still I think with more of a green light slashing and driving he could have helped out more. Defensively I agree with bringing dude along slowly.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
dont mean shit
anybody can score on denver
them rutgers chix can put buckets on the nuggets
April 7th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
What is this!? says:
I agree with yallallreadyknow
Anyone can score on Denver, they seem not to be commited on defense. Its ridiculous. Melo made Kevin Durant look like Kobe lastnight, disgraceful. The Sonics still suck though.