Danny Green, Toronto Raptors
Danny Green isn’t the type of player that usually gets to make the home-run plays. He was a second-round pick, was waived after his rookie season, and rose to prominence as a 3-and-D marksman in the notorious San Antonio Spurs “system”.
Even as he was traded this offseason, he still couldn’t find the spotlight. He was essentially an extra asset in the huge Kawhi Leonard–DeMar DeRozan swap, albeit one that Toronto valued highly.
Now playing north of the border, Green is still essentially a role player. He is, however, one of the best role players in the league, and he’s already had one home-run moment early in the season.
Danny Green called game. pic.twitter.com/ePPvq28fiX
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 21, 2018
That game-winner might be the highlight, but Green is having a huge impact on the Raptors every single night. On the best team in the league, his on-off splits are incredible; Toronto is plus-11.5 with Green on the court, and minus-2.5 when he sits.
As has been the case through his whole career, it’s his shooting that is the biggest difference-maker. Green is currently posting the third-best mark of his career from the perimeter, hitting 42.5 percent of his 3’s.
On the other end, his reputation as a defensive stopper has continued to hold true. After years as part of the San Antonio basketball machine, his defensive nous has played a big part in Toronto’s top-10 mark in defensive rating (105.4, seventh in the league).
After a career spent largely in the shadows, Green is probably quite happy staying there with his new team. He’ll never be the leading man playing with Leonard and fellow All-Star Kyle Lowry, but he is still one the league’s best in a supporting role.