Jeff Green – Know-How
In Jeff Green’s introductory press conference with the Utah Jazz, he summed up his intangible trait extremely well by way of the following quote in which he answered what he would help bring to this team:
"“Being a vet, knowing that it’s going to be about reliving the experiences of the Finals. How do you get there? What’s it going to take?”"
Yes, Jeff Green has made it to the NBA Finals before as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018. And while many will point to LeBron James being the driving force for taking that team there (which he indisputably was), it’s impossible to argue that Green wasn’t a highly impactful piece as well throughout that playoff run. As belittled as he has been at times throughout his career, he was an essential role player in Cleveland’s Finals run as one of the best players on the floor for the Cavs alongside James.
And that’s exactly what Green will bring to this Jazz team – championship know-how. His Cavs may have been stopped dead in their tracks in the Finals by a historically talented Golden State Warriors team, but Green still knows what it takes to get onto the NBA’s biggest stage. His first-hand experiences both dealing with the grind, adapting to playoff situations and playing against the best of the best will make him an extremely valuable asset for the Jazz this upcoming season.
When the going gets tough or the Jazz need an established veteran to step up and provide a lift, they’ll be able to turn to Green who is familiar with both the mental and physical pressures and required sacrifices that come with a run to the Finals. While many expect Green to be an additional stretch-four weapon, a versatile defender and a grizzled veteran, his know-how for competing at the highest level may very well be the trait that winds up the most beneficial for his newly joined Jazz squad.