NBA Superlatives: Willie Green
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
Most memorable moment in the NBA: “Making the playoffs two years in a row with the Sixers (in 2008 and 2009). It was a great time for us. We were a young team, kind of beating the odds.”Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “I came down the middle against Milwaukee, and one of my past teammates, Brian Skinner jumped. I caught him with one real quick.”Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “How fast the game moves. It’s real crisp. The passes and the cuts are fast. I was surprised because when you watch it on TV, it doesn’t look that way.”Toughest player to face at his position: “It’s a combination of Dwyane Wade and Kobe. I’ve faced Dwyane Wade more often because we were in the Eastern Conference.”Most underrated player in the NBA: “Probably John Salmons. We played together in Philly. He’s a guy who can do a lot on the floor. I know from playing with him, but I think teams and fans have gotten a chance to see that the last couple years, how good he is.”Favorite road arena: “Madison Square Garden. It has tremendous history. It’s always an electric atmosphere and fun to play there.”Favorite road trip, based on the city: “I like going to Chicago and big cities like L.A. Toronto also and Miami because of the weather.”Best trash-talker in the NBA: Paul Pierce.Change he’d make if he were NBA commissioner: “Allowing more emotion from players. Basketball is an emotional game, and I don’t think you want to take that away. The fans can connect to it, if a player scores a big basket. I’m not talking about emotion directed toward the referees, but emotion in terms of the game.”