NBA Playoffs: Six X-factors for the Houston Rockets and OKC Thunder

Jeff Green

If there was any player that met the definition of journeyman it is Jeff Green. Over 12 seasons Green has played for nine different franchises. This will be the sixth team he makes an appearance for in the postseason in what is likely his strangest role yet.

Jeff Green, backup center, is not something anyone could have expected. There are only two centers on the Rockets roster. Tyson Chandler has only appeared in 26 games this season and there is very little chance the Rockets want to make him a fixture in the lineup. Even more unlikely, Bruno Caboclo should not see any meaningful minutes.

So it comes down to Jeff Green. He has been solid in Houston so far, averaging 12.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He is shooting 35.4 percent from distance on the second-most attempts (4.4) of his career. He will take the burden off of Tucker as the only big body that can bang down low with the three centers the Thunder are likely to play. This makes life easier for Covington as well.

This is the role Jeff Green was born for. He has often been miscast in a starring role. He could do that from time to time but never consistently enough. He will never have to do that consistently here. He will just do his job, hit some threes and maybe help the Rockets take the series and move on to the second round of the NBA playoffs.