Donte Greene

[SactownHrtBrks8]

So Donte Greene looks like a potential great scorer in this league with some seasoning but what else does he bring to the table?

[Dragonseeker]

If he can be a great scorer in this league, that is all I need him to bring on to the table.

[SacKingZZZ]

A little rebounding, passing, shotblocking, etc. His shotblocking makes him a little unique. A tad bit Josh Smith like in regards to that and his size.

[Ballings7]

If he can be a great scorer in this league, that is all I need him to bring on to the table.

Then he'll come off the bench, because that kind of game won't be compatabible next to Kevin.

That said, regardless of off the bench or starting at three (which is questionable at best), he should be notably more than just a scorer and a leaper.

[KF10]

A poor man's Kevin Durant.

[tisbee]

He's a scorer. That's what he brings. He may get a few assists-very few-a block here and there,a steal now and then,but his talent is scoring. In the Summer League,even when he was going thru epically bad shooting nights,he was still getting 17,18 points. Also when he was missing,it was usually long,sometimes short,but he was almost always on-line w/his shot,just had the range a tad off.
Comparisons are always suspect,but the Rashard Lewis comparison seems esp apt.

[SacKingZZZ]

He's a scorer. That's what he brings. He may get a few assists-very few-a block here and there,a steal now and then,but his talent is scoring. In the Summer League,even when he was going thru epically bad shooting nights,he was still getting 17,18 points. Also when he was missing,it was usually long,sometimes short,but he was almost always on-line w/his shot,just had the range a tad off.
Comparisons are always suspect,but the Rashard Lewis comparison seems esp apt.

I don't really like the Rashard Lewis comparison. Sure they both shoot but I don't think Donte is a pure shooter like Lewis. Donte has a little more edge to his game and isn't as "pretty" as Rashard is offensively. I think Donte will eventually use his size better than Lewis does.

[SacKingZZZ]

If he can be a great scorer in this league, that is all I need him to bring on to the table.

Then he'll come off the bench, because that kind of game won't be compatabible next to Kevin.

That said, regardless of off the bench or starting at three (which is questionable at best), he should be notably more than just a scorer and a leaper.

What? How so? I think Donte could actually be a great fit next to Kevin since I think he has the ability to become a good catch and shoot 3 point threat. That is exactly the kind of player Kevin will need next to him. That way he will have more freedom to slash to the basket. Once Kevin learns the drive and dish game he'll become far more dangerous than he is now.

[Ballings7]

I don't really like the Rashard Lewis comparison. Sure they both shoot but I don't think Donte is a pure shooter like Lewis. Donte has a little more edge to his game and isn't as "pretty" as Rashard is offensively. I think Donte will eventually use his size better than Lewis does.

I agree.

Also, Lewis is 215 at 6'10", being on the smaller side mass-wise for a SF.

[Ballings7]

If he can be a great scorer in this league, that is all I need him to bring on to the table.

Then he'll come off the bench, because that kind of game won't be compatabible next to Kevin.

That said, regardless of off the bench or starting at three (which is questionable at best), he should be notably more than just a scorer and a leaper.

What? How so? I think Donte could actually be a great fit next to Kevin since I think he has the ability to become a good catch and shoot 3 point threat. That is exactly the kind of player Kevin will need next to him. That way he will have more freedom to slash to the basket. Once Kevin learns the drive and dish game he'll become far more dangerous than he is now.

But under what was quoted, how is Greene really just being a scorer, an even solid fit next to Kevin, in the longer-term sense?

We'd have two guys on the wing who aren't going to be significant and consistent on defense, at best varying in how they do there, and being inconsistent, because of how that relates to their scoring. Maybe even just in general with Greene on defense, relating to his mind-set offensively (score), lacking focus/smarts defensively, and maybe lacking something physically defensively (lateral quickness).

Then, while it is more ideal to have, how is Greene not having even some balance of an offensive game (some passing, at least), complementing Kevin, or anybody else? It doesn't. I would expect he'd move the ball okay and maybe be an okay passer, if not that skilled or having much of a mentality of a faciliator.

Then you have rebounding, if Greene would be an insignificant rebounder, that doesn't do any good, either.

However if the guy next to Kevin is just notable defensively, or both good at defense and creating for others, but not a respectable rebounder? That's fine.

Then if he isn't a guy who hustles, that sucks, too.

If Greene would turn out like proposed in the quote, or described above, we are a whole lot better off having next to Kevin, either a nice role-player who can shoot relatively well, defends well, hustles, and is smart/skilled in passing, moving the ball (at least the latter). Rebounding-wise, it can range from passable to good, obviously the most is best. Or, a diversely skilled, two-way kind of player.

That's the type of player I expect us to have next to Kevin, that's who we should have in the plans, too. Not a one-dimensonal player.

Consequently with one of the first two kinds of players, there will be balance and compatability for the team, in the starting line-up, and next to Kevin. There would only be a partial presence of compatability with Greene's shooting, scoring abtility, and shotblocking. But if he doesn't stand out in one other area, first and foremost not being defense, why would he be starting? Doesn't make sense.

There's more to what is needed next to Kevin than basically just shooting and scoring. If the guy can shoot and defend, defers offensively? Good. If the guy can do more than that? Very good. If the guy can do a lot more? Great.

If Greene would mainly be a scorer, I would easily take a player like Bruce Bowen, or, actually Bruce Bowen (age 33 and on, so he'd be around enough), over Donte Greene to start next to Kevin. You get (though limited to corners actually for Bruce) 3PT shooting, high-level defense, good hustle, toughness, general craftness, and smart ball movement in the way of offensive deference.

A scorer, who makes just around an ordinary impact, in the other aspects of the game (especially on defense) is a bad fit next to Kevin. At least for when things are going to begin to matter again.

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All that said, like I have said, regardless of where Greene is position or line-up wise, he really should be more than just a scorer and jumper. I think he will be, too.

[SacKingZZZ]

Dude, people waaay over analyze the defensive aspect of basketball. I am sure the hope is that they both become adequate defenders in the coming years.

[OhioKingsFan]

If you are talking about the perfect fit next to Martin as someone who can defend and hit the outside shots off of a catch and release, then it sounds like we already have that type of player in Garcia.

Greene will not be a starter this year. He is skilled, but too erratic in his shot selection. He's only like 20 years old or something like that, so it's to be expected. It will come to him in time just like it has with Garcia. In his first 2 seasons I nearly pulled out my hair out because of his poor shot selection with 3 pointers. Now he has that under control.

I think Greene would like to play like Rashard Lewis, and I think he needs to get that coached out of him right away. He has the ability to do a lot more if he is forced to, but it seems he would rather settle for shooting ten 3 pointers a night.

I have high hopes, but I think how good he becomes will depend on how he is coached. He can become a Tracy McGrady or a Kevin Durrant, or he can become a Rashard Lewis. I hope he learns to be diverse.

[a-rod]

Donte Greene is a versatile player who can score inside or on the perimeter, underrated rebounder and he is capable of making plays from the perimeter, but he still needs to improve his defense, shot selection, and passing.

I'm happy we got another player who is capable of making plays from the perimeter because that's exactly what we need in a SF: somebody that can make plays.

[PaKwAn]

How is donte's shot blocking? haven't really seen him defensively....and how is his leaping ability as well?

[Ballings7]

Donte's leaping ability is notable, I think... he's definitely an athlete.

[PaKwAn]

And just a follow up question, how tall is greene? some say 6'9" others say 6'10" or 6'11"

[Ballings7]

Dude, people waaay over analyze the defensive aspect of basketball. I am sure the hope is that they both become adequate defenders in the coming years.

Well, we are definitely going to need a better than just "adequate" defender at SF next to Kevin. Not only as a team-defender, but a guy who can take the other team's best SF or SG, on a game to game basis. Maybe even PGs or certain PFs, depending on how versatile the guy would be, but of course primarily SG/SF.

Kevin's not going to be counted on to do the aformentioned, if anything, that would be on occasion (like he's done against Ray Allen 2 or 3 times).

Kevin's defensive situation I'm not concerned about, he has some improvement to do with consistency and focus, but he has been pretty respectable, and some times better than that. He's going to have to be at least average, usually, and then pick his spots to really commit on defense (for example like he did against D-Wade on a last shot possession in 06-07). Because his primary role and focus is scoring, and to a lesser degree setting up others (from what has been there up to now, and likely improvement) - offense.

We will have a key flaw, if we have a guy next to Kevin who can't really defend, or is pretty limited defensively. It's ultimately all about team defense, but you still need skilled defenders here and there, on your squad. One of those required is a guy in the starting line-up at SG/SF.

Not necessarily meaning for the near future, but eventually, we're going to need that defensive anchor on the wing to complement Kevin. And most likely, Kevin's going to be around with this team for awhile.

[PaKwAn]

Donte's leaping ability is notable, I think... he's definitely an athlete.

I saw him play at Syracuse and from what i saw he was just shooting away long bombs, until i saw this video of him http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaRcWKib0k8 thats why i couldn't tell if he jumped high because he rarely used those hops everytime i saw him play college ball.

[SacKingZZZ]

Dude, people waaay over analyze the defensive aspect of basketball. I am sure the hope is that they both become adequate defenders in the coming years.

Well, we are definitely going to need a better than just "adequate" defender at SF next to Kevin. Not only as a team-defender, but a guy who can take the other team's best SF or SG, on a game to game basis. Maybe even PGs or certain PFs, depending on how versatile the guy would be, but of course primarily SG/SF.

Kevin's not going to be counted on to do the aformentioned, if anything, that would be on occasion (like he's done against Ray Allen 2 or 3 times).

Kevin's defensive situation I'm not concerned about, he has some improvement to do with consistency and focus, but he has been pretty respectable, and some times better than that. He's going to have to be at least average, usually, and then pick his spots to really commit on defense (for example like he did against D-Wade on a last shot possession in 06-07). Because his primary role and focus is scoring, and to a lesser degree setting up others (from what has been there up to now, and likely improvement) - offense.

We will have a key flaw, if we have a guy next to Kevin who can't really defend, or is pretty limited defensively. It's ultimately all about team defense, but you still need skilled defenders here and there, on your squad. One of those required is a guy in the starting line-up at SG/SF.

Not necessarily meaning for the near future, but eventually, we're going to need that defensive anchor on the wing to complement Kevin. And most likely, Kevin's going to be around with this team for awhile.

I would doubt Greene is going to be "limited defensively". The kid does have some very good athleticism and I think he'll be just fine.

[mobiuseinz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boHoWTUqHLs

check out the mix... he has the ability to play like a Guard at times with his dribble penetration... but definitely a shooter though.

another great video from NBA TV.

I'm really happy we got him. He definitely has a lot of upside!