Don't overlook Donte Greene

mac

All-Star
Based on the few interviews I've watched, Donte seems to have really matured and is accepting/ realising his role on this team. I think a lot of us have kinda forgotten about Donte and the value he brings to the team because he hasn't given us any consistency in 3 years and all, but this year may be the year that he becomes that "perfect SF" we were talking about last season - play good D and hit open shots.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Based on the few interviews I've watched, Donte seems to have really matured and is accepting/ realising his role on this team. I think a lot of us have kinda forgotten about Donte and the value he brings to the team because he hasn't given us any consistency in 3 years and all, but this year may be the year that he becomes that "perfect SF" we were talking about last season - play good D and hit open shots.


The question would really be if given all the bodies and contracts we're stacking up if he'll even have a chance to show that off if he has indeed stepped it up. Unless he really dazzles I could see him getting nothing more than spot minutes from night to night, and as a roleplayer its hard to uber impress in spot minutes. No camp, probably few true practices to impress the staff. I'd love for him to be that guy and to get back that frontcourt size, but things are trending against him now.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I think it's more like he realizes he won't be in NBA much longer unless he does step it up. He hasn't shown me he needs a new contract so far.
 
The question would really be if given all the bodies and contracts we're stacking up if he'll even have a chance to show that off if he has indeed stepped it up. Unless he really dazzles I could see him getting nothing more than spot minutes from night to night, and as a roleplayer its hard to uber impress in spot minutes. No camp, probably few true practices to impress the staff. I'd love for him to be that guy and to get back that frontcourt size, but things are trending against him now.

Sadly I agree. The fact that his name rarely comes up anymore when the other guys are talking about their team mates only seems to suggest that Donte is very likely going to lose his role on the team (if he ever had one). Donte used to be mentioned by the rest of the team/ coaches when they were talking about defense, athleticism and dunking. Now defense = Chuck Hayes, Tyreke, Salmons, even Garcia. Athleticism/Dunking = JJ Hickson, Honeycutt, Whiteside.

It'll be very sad as a fan if this is the season that Donte gets it all together, but can't find a place on the team because there are already guys there getting paid a lot more, even if they perform equally.
 
Unfortunately I don't hold much hope for Donte anymore. He is more interested in having fun than improving as a player. He never puts in significant work over the off season to improve his game. He's not necessarily a bad thing to have around given his harmless nature and size/athleticism, but he doesn't offer much, and could have been so much more. It's a shame, because he's essentially wasting his natural advantages, which not many players, even by NBA standards, are lucky enough to have.

I don't think he'll ever "get it." Hope I'm wrong, but there's been absolutely nothing so far to suggest that he's serious about being the best he can be.
 
I guess most everyone's saying Greene is now officially branded a professional slacker. Too bad, but maybe a throw in on some good trade package GP has brewing.
 
It's a shame, because he's essentially wasting his natural advantages, which not many players, even by NBA standards, are lucky enough to have.

I don't think he'll ever "get it." Hope I'm wrong, but there's been absolutely nothing so far to suggest that he's serious about being the best he can be.

Yeah, have to agree. Over the years we've seen glimpses of what he can do but only in 1 minute spurts. This is likely his s_ _ _ or get off the pot season. if he has matured then we'll see his talents in 10 minute spurts or better for 15 min at a topime.
 
Yeah, have to agree. Over the years we've seen glimpses of what he can do but only in 1 minute spurts. This is likely his s_ _ _ or get off the pot season. if he has matured then we'll see his talents in 10 minute spurts or better for 15 min at a topime.

But that's the sad thing - will we even get a chance to see if he has matured and become consistent with Salmons and Garcia in front of him? From a team perspective, it doesn't matter who performs as long as the team wins. But I think most fans would rather Greene be our main, pro SF than say Salmons, ideally speaking.
 
Greene had everything handed to him on a silver platter, and he failed to step up to the table. I fear that if we ever see him perform at the expected level, it'll be on another team. I really like Greene. He'd be a fun guy to invite to a neighborhood party. If he indeed did put in the work this offseason, it could be too little too late. I guess we'll see. I'm sure the Kings would be happy if he can do anything to increase his value, because they'll have some decisions to make in the next offseason with Thompson, Hickson and Greene all becoming restricted freeagents. Greene could easily be the odd man out of that threesome. If not traded prior to that.

Nothing would make me happier than for him to emerge from the ashes as they say. But then the old, contract year scenario, will rear its ugly head, and you'll wonder, is he for real? Is he for real enough for the Kings to offer him another multiyear contract? All good players have intensity when on the court. And not just in 2 minute spurts, but for every minute on the court. Greene has been lacking in that area, and I don't think it can be taught or suddenly aquired. I think its in the nature of the beast. And if I'm right about that, then sadly, I doubt Greene will ever be much more than he is right now. I hope I'm wrong!!!
 
I'm sure they'll be some minutes for every body in this lockout shortened season. And as it is, you can put Garcia behind Thornton on the depth chart and that leaves the backup SF spot open to Donte Greene. Plus he's our only tall SF.
 
I guess most everyone's saying Greene is now officially branded a professional slacker. Too bad, but maybe a throw in on some good trade package GP has brewing.

There was another player a few years ago that suffered from that branding. Luckily for him the expansion took him to a new team and a pretty successful career. I like Donte, but I just don't see him suddenly reaching his optimum potential here...
 
I believe he has reached his potential, at least until he stops smokin. Guy is Tim Thomas light. He is just living the life right now and sees no reason to work hard to improve himself. He has a lot of $ and could care less. NBA is full of guys like this, thats why the league is so bad.
 
Never got the Greene love. Dude's D is verrrry overrated, he is a HORRIBLE rebounder, and a terrible shooter.

Every 20 games or so he'll give us a sick dunk in garbage time...

I cant believe we traded Artest for this dude and what eventually became Omri. Not the best deal for us there in hindsight (although at the time it was a good rebuilding move).


But hey, we'll see...I'd be happy to eat crow on this one, just dont think its going to happen.
 
Probably had 23 birthdays would be my guess....


He will wake up one of these days might not be with us at the time though.
 
With Hayes not around, here is another silver platter for Donte. If his practice work ethics and maturity are in fact real, then the coaches will see it and he could see the playing time to show us all if he is or is not ready for Prime Time. Tuesday night might be Donte's window through which we can (or cannot) see if he is ready to step up to the next level.
 
Back
Top