Basketball Journeyman Danny Green Hangs Up His Sneakers
After an illustrious career marked by perseverance, sharpshooting, and championship glory, Danny Green has announced his retirement from professional basketball. This decision draws the curtain on a journey that is as much about overcoming setbacks as it is about basking in the limelight of NBA success.
Drafted in 2009 by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the 46th overall pick, Green's entry into the NBA was anything but smooth. The Cavaliers initially waived him, as did the San Antonio Spurs, signaling a rocky start for the young player. Yet, Green was undeterred, navigating through the D-League to earn a second chance with the Spurs. This opportunity proved transformational, allowing him to showcase his remarkable three-point shooting ability that would become his trademark.
Throughout his NBA career, Green maintained an impressive average of 40% from beyond the arc. His 2011-12 season was particularly noteworthy, as he shot 43.6% from three-point range, signaling his rise as one of the league’s premier shooters. This prowess was spectacularly on display during the 2013 NBA Finals, where he set a then-record with 27 three-pointers, a pinnacle only later surpassed by Stephen Curry.
Green's skills were not limited to just scoring. In 2017, he received All-Defense honors, a testament to his versatility and defensive tenacity. His reputation as a reliable "3-and-D" player made him a pivotal figure in three different championship teams: the San Antonio Spurs, the Toronto Raptors, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Green's championship pedigree truly came to the fore when he became the fourth player in NBA history to win titles with three different franchises. This elite club illustrates his ability to adapt and contribute significantly wherever he played. The journey through these teams was not just career-defining but also history-making. In 2018, Green and Kawhi Leonard were traded to the Toronto Raptors, where they played crucial roles in capturing the franchise’s very first NBA title, perpetuating Green's growing legacy of success.
Following his stint with Toronto, Green moved on to join the Los Angeles Lakers. Alongside superstars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Green added another championship ring to his collection in 2020, further solidifying his status as a lucky charm for contending teams.
However, Green's career wasn't without its setbacks. During his second season with the Philadelphia 76ers, he suffered a significant injury, tearing his ACL, which would challenge his return to peak performance. Despite the injury, Green soldiered on, playing for the Memphis Grizzlies and later returning for a final stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that first drafted him.
Green’s career also earned him a unique accolade from one of the league’s storied franchises, the Miami Heat. They coined a specific play "The Danny Green Cut," showcasing how his influence extended beyond mere scoring and into the strategic fabric of the game.
Throughout his career, Green shared the court with a constellation of NBA stars. From Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili in San Antonio, to Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam in Toronto, and finally LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles, Green's career is a who's who of basketball greats. His later stints with Joel Embiid, James Harden, Ja Morant, and Donovan Mitchell underscore his presence across generations of NBA talent.
As Green steps away from the hardwood, he leaves behind a legacy characterized by resilience, excellence, and an indelible mark on multiple franchises. His story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of a player who excelled by seizing every opportunity, savoring every victory, and forever etching his name in the annals of basketball history.