Green happy to settle down, provide spark to Pacers

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Scott Agness headshot

August 15, 2012

Gerald Green describes himself as a simple, regular guy. Family, basketball, and getting better in the gym are atop his priorities.

Green, 26, has bounced around the league since drafted 18th by the Boston Celtics in the 2005 NBA Draft. The McDonald’s All-American was part of the last class allowed under the old collective bargaining agreement to enter the NBA straight out of high school. A decision Green doesn’t regret to this day.

After beginning his NBA career with the Celtics, Green was traded after two seasons to Minnesota in July of 2007, part of the huge deal that brought Kevin Garnett to Boston. Then, he made stops in Minnesota, Houston, and Dallas -- with a couple D-League appearances in between, plus two seasons in Russia and a short-stint in China before playing 31 games with the New Jersey Nets last year.

It’s easy to say he’s made his rounds, and he has, learning about the game across the globe. But he wouldn’t trade his experience. Now with the Pacers and a fresh start, Green adds experience, tenacity and ridiculous athleticism.

“I think I can add a lot of energy,” Green told Pacers.com after a summer workout. “I’ve been through a lot, so I can definitely motivate the young players and show them the ropes so they don’t make the same mistakes that I made coming into the league.

“I can definitely score the ball, I’m a very high energy player and I’m a fun guy on and off the court. For the Pacers fans who really don’t know me, they’ll get to know me.”

In this age of social media where athletes are accessible more than ever before, many fans immediately turned to twitter to welcome Green to Indiana. However, the multiple twitter accounts out there are all phony because so far, Green has stayed off social media.

“I don’t have Twitter. I don’t have Instagram. I don’t have Facebook. I don’t really do anything social media type…I’m young, but I’m old school-minded.”

With Paul George and the addition of Green, the Pacers have two of the more explosive wings in the league. Both attack the rim and love finishing with a slam.

George competed in last season’s NBA Dunk Contest, a feat Green won in 2007 and finished second a year later. Still, Green gives the nod to his new teammate.

“I’ll give it to Paul George. [He] is an unbelievable athlete and player, at the same time I hope he gets back in the dunk contest in Houston and wins it.”

Although George turned some heads with high-flying and creative dunks, his unique ideas weren’t enough for the judges.

“Most definitely, Paul George should have won.” Green was quick to add. “Everybody has gotten robbed. I’ve gotten robbed. In the dunk contest, it goes like that.”

After have career numbers last season in New Jersey – 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, and a 48-percent field goal clip – Green is excited to join the Pacers and play whatever role he can in the teams’ pursuit of a championship.

This summer, as a free agent, Green was intrigued by the Pacers and ultimately signed a three-year deal that secured his immediate future.

“This was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.”