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Los Angeles Lakers: X-factors for success in NBA’s Orlando restart

By Amaar Burton

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Dwight Howard #39 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate while playing the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Dwight Howard #39 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate while playing the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

1. Danny Green

This is exactly what Danny Green was brought in to do for the Lakers: Be the X-factor of a role player that makes the difference between another championship or another disappointing finish for this franchise.

Green is averaging 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He’s making 37.8 percent of his 3-pointers. But the numbers are almost irrelevant when it comes to the 33-year-old wing.

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Green’s greatest value is in the elements of basketball that are hard to measure with statistics. On-ball defense. Communication on defense. Being in the right place at the right time on offense and defense. Hustle. Leadership by example. Basketball IQ. Clutch shot-making and playmaking.

It’s no coincidence that Green has been a key contributor on two NBA championship teams (Spurs in 2014, Raptors in 2019) and an NCAA national championship team (North Carolina in 2009).

Four members of the Lakers have been in the starting lineup every time they suited up this season: LeBron, Davis, JaVale McGee and Danny Green. Green has only missed two games and ranks fourth on the team in minutes played. He’s the kind of player you just want on the court, even if he’s not producing a lot of points or steals.

Green’s success is measured in helping produce victories.

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