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After finding himself without an NBA job in 2009, Gerald Green played two seasons in Russia and another in China before signing with the Brooklyn Nets in 2012, and his immaturity was replaced by humility.

“When you go places in life that you think you’ll never go, you change a little bit,” he said. “You mature a lot faster. I knew something had to change. It either was going to be me or I wasn’t going to be back in the league. That made it an easy decision for me to change. Two years ago, I was nowhere to be found. Now I’m older, more mature, understand that this is not a hobby, this is a job.”

Green proved himself with the Nets for the Indiana Pacers to sign him to a three-year deal.

“I’ve been through a lot and used to take things for granted,” said Green, now 28. “Ever since I’ve come back into the league, I’ve always taken it like this is my second opportunity to prove myself that I should be in this league. I haven’t done anything yet.”

Via Gary Washburn/Boston Globe

I never thought I would see the day that this kid wouldn't make me cringe when he dribbled or shot the ball. Nice to see him doing well.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqWc2PY9q4c[/youtube]

It's always nice seeing players starting to reach their potential

Honestly thought this guy was done in the NBA and wasn't gonna pan out. Glad to see that he worked on his game and he is back in the NBA.

i sensed this when he first re-appeared in the NBA, he just seemed a lot more mature and you could see it in his play which was more patient, he wasn't celebrating after every basket and all that stuff, good for him

I wanna say I remember Geralds first basket in his first pre season....Baseline one handed left handed slam I think...He got me all excited...straight out of high school and he was missing half a finger from his sister slamming his hand in a door....I was thinking.....only 4 fingers and he can slam like that!! damn! Green in green!!!!!

Happy to see it click for a young immensely talented player like Green. Far too many times you hear sad stories about kids who never get the chance to really become great (Lenny Cooke!!) but good to see Green turn the corner. I'm rooting for ya Kid!!

ybnd wrote:I wanna say I remember Geralds first basket in his first pre season....Baseline one handed left handed slam I think...He got me all excited...straight out of high school and he was missing half a finger from his sister slamming his hand in a door....I was thinking.....only 4 fingers and he can slam like that!! damn! Green in green!!!!!

That's not how he lost the part of his finger though. He was playing ball with a ring on when he was little and got caught in the net or something like that.

crackrocks wrote:

ybnd wrote:I wanna say I remember Geralds first basket in his first pre season....Baseline one handed left handed slam I think...He got me all excited...straight out of high school and he was missing half a finger from his sister slamming his hand in a door....I was thinking.....only 4 fingers and he can slam like that!! damn! Green in green!!!!!

That's not how he lost the part of his finger though. He was playing ball with a ring on when he was little and got caught in the net or something like that.

I thought his older sister shut it in a door....maybe not though

Classic case of someone who came out to early but I'm glad it worked out for him. I thought he had all the tools to become a star when he came out but I forgot to analyze one of the most important ones, behavior and mental makeup. He wasn't ready mentally yet when he came out.

Glad he worked it out.

He's now one of the most exciting players to watch on the break.

The Knicks should trade Shumpert to China