Los Angeles Lakers story lines no one is talking about
By Amaar Burton
1. Danny Green is the Lakers’ unsung hero
It would be going too far to call Danny Green the team’s MVP given the outstanding production of Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but Green’s value to the Los Angeles Lakers needs to be recognized.
Even in the season-opening loss to the Clippers, it was immediately clear that Green would be a difference-maker. He scored 28 points (7-for-9 beyond the arc) to go with seven rebounds, two steals and a block. That was a franchise record for most points in a Lakers’ debut.
Rumors on Iguodala; LeBron's retirement. light. more lakers
The Lakers signed Green to be a “3-and-D” contributor and he is currently leading the team in 3-pointers made and steals. He’s averaging 8.8 points per game on 42.2 percent 3-point shooting, to go with 1.4 steals per game. Sometimes just doing your job without going above and beyond is good enough to make all the difference in the world.
Green’s enduring highlight has been the buzzer-beating 3-pointer he hit to send the Nov. 1 game against the Dallas Mavericks into overtime (L.A. eventually won), but his biggest impact has been made defensively.
Whether it’s getting steals and deflections, defending 1-on-1 against the opponent’s top perimeter scorer, or playing great team defense and communicating, Green has been L.A.’s best role player.
Next. Each team's best NBA Jam duo of all-time. dark
Davis will be the one who gets votes for Defensive Player of the Year. Davis and LeBron will get votes for league MVP. But Green has been worth every dollar the Lakers are paying him, and his presence will play a big part in determining the team’s fate in the playoffs.