Celtics forward Jeff Green, 27, was born and raised in Maryland, where he led his high school to the state basketball title in 2004. He attended Georgetown University, where he was key to the Hoyas’ upset victory over the undefeated Duke Blue Devils in 2006. He entered the NBA draft after his junior season in 2007 and was the fifth overall pick of the Celtics, who immediately traded him to the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) for Ray Allen. He was traded back to Boston in 2011, but had to sit out the entire 2012 season after undergoing heart surgery. Later that year, he signed a four-year, $36 million contract. The forward scored a career high of 43 points in March of last year against the Miami Heat, and he went on to lead the team in scoring in the playoffs. He lives in Boston.
Jonathan Soroff: Do you think your last name made you predestined to play for the Celtics?
Jeff Green: [Laughs] In some way, yes. Green being the color of the Celtics, I think there’s a way it all twisted together.
I went to Duke. Don’t you think you owe me an apology for Jan. 21, 2006?
No, I don’t. But I’d like to say thank you to you for that one. That was a fun game. It put Georgetown back on the map, in my eyes, so I just want to say thank you again.
What are the chances the Hoyas and the Blue Devils will make the Final Four this year?
Well, for the Hoyas, I think there’s a great chance. The Blue Devils? I don’t know. Both teams are great, so we’ll just see.
Want to bet on it if they do?
No. I’m not a betting man. We can watch the game together, though.
What is a Hoya?
Good question. I guess a bulldog. That’s what we represent, both in academics and sports. The fight of a bulldog.
I heard it comes from some Greek quote, but I like your answer better. How does it feel getting traded back and forth?
It’s not a good thing. It’s tough, because you can never make one place your home, but it’s the way things work, and you just have to be prepared to deal with it and make the best of it.
Oklahoma City vs. Boston?
It’s tough to compare. Boston is more of a city. Oklahoma has a slower pace. But it is growing rapidly. And the team is getting better.
Do you know Wyc Grousbeck’s cocktail of choice?
I do not. I haven’t been in that type of setting with him.
It’s rum, in case you want to buy him a present. Best swag you ever got?
I guess the Euro swag. Everything fits well.
Any changes you’d like to see made to the Celtics uniform?
No. I think it should always stay the same.
Do you have any old Seattle SuperSonics gear?
I have a jersey. It’s framed and hanging in my house in D.C.
Any superstitions before a game?
I do things a certain way, but nothing really superstitious. I listen to music at the same time and just try to relax.
Best coach in the NBA?
Brad Stevens.
How about in the ACC?
Mike Krzyzewski.
Good answer. What’s the stupidest thing people say to someone who’s 6-foot-9?
There are so many. The most basic is “I can’t believe you’re that tall!” As if Ihad anything to do with it. Like I had some magic in me and said, “I have to be tall,” and boom! I mean, you’re lookin’ at me. I guess you can believe it. Then there are things like, “How’s the weather up there?”
Are your parents tall?
I guess my dad is about average male height, but my mom is tall for a woman. She’s 5-foot-11.
Best part of being 6-foot-9?
You get to tower over everyone. You can see everybody in the crowd. You can reach things on a high shelf.
Do you have to duck down or slouch when you go to a movie theater?
No. Not my problem. I bought my ticket just like you did. If you want to sit behind me, that’s your fault.
Where do you find clothes that fit?
I can find shirts at Barneys or Nordstrom. Pants are the problem. I don’t think I’ve been able to buy a pair of pants in a store, so that’s the tough part.
Favorite TD Garden snack?
The Larry Bird sandwich. I forget which restaurant it’s in, but it’s good.
Do you ever pat Lucky the Leprechaun on the head for luck?
No, but if it works, maybe I should start.
Teammate you most like to heckle?
Keith Bogans.
Do you ever get distracted by the Celtics dancers?
No. [Laughs] Yes, I do. I watch ’em warm up prior to the game. When I’m not in the game, I try to stay focused, but they do distract me sometimes.
Favorite city to travel to for a game?
Los Angeles.
Least favorite?
Salt Lake City.
Do you know all your stats by heart?
No. I don’t know any of them. I could probably give you an estimate, but that’s about it.
Footwear of choice when you’re not playing?
Jordans.
Does the squeaking on the parquet ever get to you?
No. It means you’re doing something you love, working hard and doing well.
Finish this sentence: The Celtics do it ___________.
Better than any other NBA organization out there.
Jeff Green - Forward Thinking
The Celtics veteran talks about trades, traveling and TD Garden grub.
Celtics forward Jeff Green, 27, was born and raised in Maryland, where he led his high school to the state basketball title in 2004. He attended Georgetown University, where he was key to the Hoyas’ upset victory over the undefeated Duke Blue Devils in 2006. He entered the NBA draft after his junior season in 2007 and was the fifth overall pick of the Celtics, who immediately traded him to the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) for Ray Allen. He was traded back to Boston in 2011, but had to sit out the entire 2012 season after undergoing heart surgery. Later that year, he signed a four-year, $36 million contract. The forward scored a career high of 43 points in March of last year against the Miami Heat, and he went on to lead the team in scoring in the playoffs. He lives in Boston.
Jonathan Soroff: Do you think your last name made you predestined to play for the Celtics?
Jeff Green: [Laughs] In some way, yes. Green being the color of the Celtics, I think there’s a way it all twisted together.
I went to Duke. Don’t you think you owe me an apology for Jan. 21, 2006?
No, I don’t. But I’d like to say thank you to you for that one. That was a fun game. It put Georgetown back on the map, in my eyes, so I just want to say thank you again.
What are the chances the Hoyas and the Blue Devils will make the Final Four this year?
Well, for the Hoyas, I think there’s a great chance. The Blue Devils? I don’t know. Both teams are great, so we’ll just see.
Want to bet on it if they do?
No. I’m not a betting man. We can watch the game together, though.
What is a Hoya?
Good question. I guess a bulldog. That’s what we represent, both in academics and sports. The fight of a bulldog.
I heard it comes from some Greek quote, but I like your answer better. How does it feel getting traded back and forth?
It’s not a good thing. It’s tough, because you can never make one place your home, but it’s the way things work, and you just have to be prepared to deal with it and make the best of it.
Oklahoma City vs. Boston?
It’s tough to compare. Boston is more of a city. Oklahoma has a slower pace. But it is growing rapidly. And the team is getting better.
Do you know Wyc Grousbeck’s cocktail of choice?
I do not. I haven’t been in that type of setting with him.
It’s rum, in case you want to buy him a present. Best swag you ever got?
I guess the Euro swag. Everything fits well.
Any changes you’d like to see made to the Celtics uniform?
No. I think it should always stay the same.
Do you have any old Seattle SuperSonics gear?
I have a jersey. It’s framed and hanging in my house in D.C.
Any superstitions before a game?
I do things a certain way, but nothing really superstitious. I listen to music at the same time and just try to relax.
Best coach in the NBA?
Brad Stevens.
How about in the ACC?
Mike Krzyzewski.
Good answer. What’s the stupidest thing people say to someone who’s 6-foot-9?
There are so many. The most basic is “I can’t believe you’re that tall!” As if Ihad anything to do with it. Like I had some magic in me and said, “I have to be tall,” and boom! I mean, you’re lookin’ at me. I guess you can believe it. Then there are things like, “How’s the weather up there?”
Are your parents tall?
I guess my dad is about average male height, but my mom is tall for a woman. She’s 5-foot-11.
Best part of being 6-foot-9?
You get to tower over everyone. You can see everybody in the crowd. You can reach things on a high shelf.
Do you have to duck down or slouch when you go to a movie theater?
No. Not my problem. I bought my ticket just like you did. If you want to sit behind me, that’s your fault.
Where do you find clothes that fit?
I can find shirts at Barneys or Nordstrom. Pants are the problem. I don’t think I’ve been able to buy a pair of pants in a store, so that’s the tough part.
Favorite TD Garden snack?
The Larry Bird sandwich. I forget which restaurant it’s in, but it’s good.
Do you ever pat Lucky the Leprechaun on the head for luck?
No, but if it works, maybe I should start.
Teammate you most like to heckle?
Keith Bogans.
Do you ever get distracted by the Celtics dancers?
No. [Laughs] Yes, I do. I watch ’em warm up prior to the game. When I’m not in the game, I try to stay focused, but they do distract me sometimes.
Favorite city to travel to for a game?
Los Angeles.
Least favorite?
Salt Lake City.
Do you know all your stats by heart?
No. I don’t know any of them. I could probably give you an estimate, but that’s about it.
Footwear of choice when you’re not playing?
Jordans.
Does the squeaking on the parquet ever get to you?
No. It means you’re doing something you love, working hard and doing well.
Finish this sentence: The Celtics do it ___________.
Better than any other NBA organization out there.
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