Green Is Still Carolina Blue

March 23, 2010

NBA Rookie Danny Green sits down with NBPA.com to talk about March Madness, life in the league and more.

By: Talia Bargil
for NBPA.com

It seems like just yesterday Cleveland Cavalier rookie Danny Green helped lead his UNC Tar Heels to an NCAA Championship. But coming up on a year since the Carolina blue and white took the ultimate prize, he is watching the Madness of March from an entirely new perspective.

Green, the Cavs forward, knows what it takes to win it all. As the winningest player in North Carolina history (123 games), he is no stranger to the blood, sweat and tears that come along with greatness. But nowadays, the North Babylon, NY native has his sights set on an NBA Championship, and he’ll be the first to tell you he is competing in a whole different ballgame.

“The Tournament was a lot of fun, and of course I miss it. But when I got to Cleveland, they didn’t talk much about my college career,” he said. “What I do now is what matters. It’s a different game, a different level of play. I’ve learned so much here already, and I think I’ve adjusted pretty well, learned a lot from the coaches and players here, and have become a smarter player. I am working hard on every aspect of my game to improve daily.”

And it is clear his hard work is not going unnoticed.

“He’s a player that when he gets into your system, you’re able to watch the little things he does well. Then you can really understand that he’s got a great feel and can stay in this league a long time,” said Cavs Head Coach Mike Brown. “He does many things well, making him a versatile player that can help you out for many years to come.”

Selected by the Cavaliers in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, Green came off of four years at UNC, one of the nation’s most storied basketball schools. And so, it is no wonder the rookie has got a little case of spring basketball fever.

“I will always be part of the UNC family…I will be close with them and a fan of my team until the end,” he said. “Even though we are in the NIT this year, I am watching highlights and catching the scores on my iPhone application.”

And with fellow UNC alumni as teammates and opponents around the league, there is no shortage of Tar Heel talk.

“Every game, all of us UNC guys – me, Jawad [Williams], Antawn [Jamison] – talk about our school’s team. We’re disappointed in the year, but we know it will bounce back,” he said. “I also talk about it all the time with the guys I left UNC with that are around the league…Ty [Lawson], Wayne Ellington and Tyler Hansbrough. And then when I see other UNC alumni, we talk…guys like Marvin Williams, Sean May, Vince Carter. It seems like every NBA team has somebody from UNC on it, coaches too.”

Green said his teammates also have got the March Madness bug.

“There’s a lot of trash talking in the Cavs locker room. We’ve got guys from all kinds of different big schools, players and coaches, talking about their team winning it all. Darnell Jackson thinks Kansas is going to take it again; Gib [Daniel Gibson] talks about Texas; LeBron has his thing for Kentucky and Ohio State, and Chris Jent went to Ohio State…nobody else’s team in the locker room is a contender, so Shaq isn’t saying much.”

With his team off the radar screen this year, Green says he’s pulling for the underdogs. Predicting West Virginia and Baylor as the sleepers, he has Syracuse winning it all.

While he’s focused on closing out his rookie season on a high note, Green also has taken an active role in the Cavs community and with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) as a player representative.

“I’m really interested in my job, and I want to know everything about it. There’s a lot to learn, especially on the business side, and I am enjoying my involvement with the Association,” he said. “You need to know everything about your job, the way you make a living, what’s going on with your money now and in the future. At any point, this game can be over, and it’s important to know how it works.”

Green, who may have a bit of nostalgia at this time of year, has his plate full and is working hard to excel, both on and off the court. And according to teammate Anthony Parker, he’s on the right track.

“He has talent and does a lot of things well: shoot, rebound, shot block, defend,” said Parker. “When you are able to do a lot of things on the court, it puts you in a great position because you need be available in all situations…and no matter what the team needs, he can step in there and contribute.”