The Washington Wizards revamped its supporting cast around their trio of max players, John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter. While additions of Dwight Howard and Austin Rivers may get the most attention, the most valuable may be forward Jeff Green.
Green has an unique all-around game that draws notice from basketball insiders more so than fans, including Beal who sang praises of Green. Beal went as far as comparing Green’s style of play to LeBron James.
“I always say Jeff is a star, man, because he’s built like LeBron and almost plays like him in so many ways,” Beal said to reporters per Fred Katz of the Athletic. “I think he can help us in multiple positions. He plays the 3. He plays the 4. We can put him at the 5. He’s comfortable there. So, his versatility is exactly what we need.
It just makes our job and our life easy. He’s able to shoot it, put it on the floor. He can guard multiple guys. So it works.”
Again, Beal echoed what many knowledgeable people have said or thought of Green’s game through the years that include a stop as James’ teammate in Cleveland last season. His playing style matches the position-less NBA of today, even when he was a college star leading Georgetown to the Final Four in 2007. While Green has not quite had the pro career of James, Beal isn’t wrong on his assessment when put in context. There’s a lot that Green can do, maybe not at the highest quality and level of James but certainly at a valuable level.
Critics will nitpick Beal’s words, but the message is understandable. Green gives the Wizards welcomed unseen versatility. Green enters his 11th season in the NBA averaging 15.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per 36 minutes.
Beal admitted he never told his praise to Green, but added he thinks Green should know it. When presented Beal’s kind words about him, a flattered Green laughed.
“Flattering,” Green said per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. “I mean LeBron is the greatest. He’s one of the best to ever do it. If you get that comparison, that’s cool. I will try to be the LeBron to this team in my own way.”
