NBA Rumors: Danny Green Knows Lakers Counting On Him To Fire Away

KEY POINTS

Green is aware he needs to recall shooting stroke
Green believes he can play better for Lakers
Green is in no threat of being replaced by potential additions

The Los Angeles Lakers are still looking for shooters with LeBron James expected to take over playmaking duties. While the purple and gold seem to be looking for more help, Danny Green hopes that he can recall the old form that allowed him to be part of two NBA champion teams.

Green was part of the 2014 San Antonio Spurs and the 2019 Toronto Raptors NBA champion teams, placing him in a rare company of NBA stars who have more than one ring. Of the two stints, Green made his presence felt more with the Spurs that also included Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan. In hindsight, Green should have no problem co-existing with All-Star caliber NBA stars.

Curiously, the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat that year, 4-1. And one player who stood out at the time was LeBron James. Both are now teammates with the Lakers, yet another twist that makes the Lakers a heavy favorite to win this year. But Green needs to play better, particularly when it comes to shooting from the outside.

“This year, I haven’t been the specialist that I’ve needed to be,” Green said to Sports Illustrated. “Still getting better, still perfecting it. But nothing in this league is easy to do, especially when people know what you’re good at. They’re going to try to limit that, take that away from you.”

This season, Green has seen a slight dip as far as shooting percentages from beyond the arc is concerned. He holds career averages of 40.2 percent from deep but is only norming 38.1 percent this NBA season, per Basketball-Reference.com. Green is used less, understandable with the amount of talent the Lakers have on the roster. Injuries have also held down the 32-year-old veteran but Green is aware that this is not an excuse.

The Lakers created a roster spot when they waived Troy Daniels recently. Dion Waiters is believed to be the one who has the inside track but the Lakers do have options. Allen Crabbe and Anthony Tolliver are other options but Green is far from threatened by any addition.

All Green needs to do now is to find ways to improve and recall that old shooting stroke. The Lakers need all guns loaded and the two-time NBA champion is more than capable of filling that need.