Gerald Green’s long ride

I remember hearing big things about a young high schooler that got drafted 18th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2005 NBA Draft.

He seemed like he was dripping with talent, like it was just a matter of time before he realized that talent and took off on an upward trajectory.

That did not happen for various reasons, whether it was lack of a strong work ethic or immaturity or just simply not being ready for the big time. He’s been all over the NBA and the world since just 2005.

He did win the NBA Slam Dunk Championship in 2007 and is notoriously efficient in the transition game with tremendously athletic finishes at the hole.

Here is Gerald Green’s journey from 18th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft to 2012 role player for the New Jersey Nets;

June 28, 2005: Drafted 18th overall by Boston Celtics in 2005 NBA Draft.
– Assigned to D-League’s Fayetteville Patriots on January 6, 2006 until February 3, 2006.
– Assigned to D-League’s Florida Flame on February 16, 2006 until February 21, 2006.
July 31, 2007: Acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves along with Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair and two future first-round draft picks in exchange for Kevin Garnett.
February 21, 2008: Acquired by the Houston Rockets in exchange for Kirk Snyder, a 2010 second-round draft pick and cash considerations.
March 8, 2008: Waived by the Rockets
July 3, 2008: Signed by the Dallas Mavericks.

July 1, 2009: Became a free agent.
December 2009: Signed with PBC Lokomotiv-Kuban of Russia.
August 2010: Signed with BC Krasnye Krylia of Russia.
October 2011: Signed with the Foshan Dralions of China.
December 2011: Contract terminated by Foshan Dralions.
December 13, 2011: Signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
December 22, 2011: Waived by the Lakers.
December 28, 2011: Acquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
February 27, 2012: Signed a 10-day contract with the New Jersey Nets.
March 8, 2012: Signed a second 10-day contract with the New Jersey Nets.
March 18, 2012: Signed with New Jersey Nets for the remainder of the season.

This season though it appears as if he has his head on straight (at least from a purely basketball standpoint). He has played so well he gave the Nets basically no chance at not resigning him.

In the 23 games he has played with the Nets this season he has averaged 12.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1 spg, on 50.5% from the field in 24.4 minutes per game. Green, also, recently exploded for 32 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 8th (nearly five years from last time he scored over 30 points when he scored 33 for Boston against Atlanta on April 10, 2007).