Donte Greene
Position: SF/PF
Hgt: 6'11"
Wgt: 226
Age: 22
Number: 20
Nickname: Buckets
College: Syracuse
Yrs with Team: 3
Yrs in League: 3
Previous Teams: N/A
How Acquired: trade for Ron Artest (Aug '08)
Contract: 2011-12: $1.7mil (Team Option)
Strengths: size, athleticism, defense
Weaknesses: shot selection, consistency, shooting, from anywhere
Offense (Scoring & Passing)
A tall rangy wing player with all of the athletic markers who looked to be ready to take the next step, and instead took a step backward. Buckets has turned out to be a complete misnomer. Put simply, he cannot shoot. At least not with any consistency. Has improved his decisionmakling and shot selection, and is less prone to wild forces now. But the problem is even with his feet set he struggles to conistently knock down shots, and his percentages fell across the board this season. Has occasional hot games, and can make a few steady contributions -- size and athleticism make him a potent finisher out on the break, and teammates consistently look for him on the alley oop, which he often finishes with flair. Has a bit of a post game as well which he will use against smaller opponents. But the inability to show any improvement knocking down shots is beginning to mark his career arc as that of a roleplayer ratehr than a star. Is not a selfish player, and while not an amazing passer will willingly swing the ball.
Defense & Rebounding
While there may not have been much progress on the other side of the ball, the progress defensively has been dramatic. From a first season in which all he wanted to do was shoot (and miss), he has emerged as the Kings best perimeter defender. Very versatile guarding SGs, SFs, and PFs, and has slowed everybody from Kevin Martin to Amare Stoudemire. Uses his length intelligently to challenge shots without fouling, and is capable of the big help block. Has a feisty oncourt demeanor on defense that belies his happy go lucky good guy routine off of it. Slipped smoothly into a defensive roleplayer role late in the season following the arrival of Marcus Thornton. Not as good on the glass as he should be at his height.
Intangibles
Popular off the court for many of the same reasons that he may not reach his potential on it. Able to subvert his ego for the sake of the team and remain upbeat even when he was getting no time at all, but of course his ability to do so only raises more questions about how hungry he is. Nonetheless a great chemistry guy and sideline cheerleader, and one who plays defense as well, and every team needs some of those.
Stats 10-11: 16.3min 5.8pts (.404 FG% .292 3pt% .662 FT%) 2.1reb 0.7ast 0.5stl 0.3blk 0.9TO
Stats Career: 17.4min 6.3pts (.406 FG% .320 3pt% .678 FT%) 2.3reb 0.7ast 0.5stl 0.4blk 1.0TO
NBA.com profile
Position: SF/PF
Hgt: 6'11"
Wgt: 226
Age: 22
Number: 20
Nickname: Buckets
College: Syracuse
Yrs with Team: 3
Yrs in League: 3
Previous Teams: N/A
How Acquired: trade for Ron Artest (Aug '08)
Contract: 2011-12: $1.7mil (Team Option)
Strengths: size, athleticism, defense
Weaknesses: shot selection, consistency, shooting, from anywhere
Offense (Scoring & Passing)
A tall rangy wing player with all of the athletic markers who looked to be ready to take the next step, and instead took a step backward. Buckets has turned out to be a complete misnomer. Put simply, he cannot shoot. At least not with any consistency. Has improved his decisionmakling and shot selection, and is less prone to wild forces now. But the problem is even with his feet set he struggles to conistently knock down shots, and his percentages fell across the board this season. Has occasional hot games, and can make a few steady contributions -- size and athleticism make him a potent finisher out on the break, and teammates consistently look for him on the alley oop, which he often finishes with flair. Has a bit of a post game as well which he will use against smaller opponents. But the inability to show any improvement knocking down shots is beginning to mark his career arc as that of a roleplayer ratehr than a star. Is not a selfish player, and while not an amazing passer will willingly swing the ball.
Defense & Rebounding
While there may not have been much progress on the other side of the ball, the progress defensively has been dramatic. From a first season in which all he wanted to do was shoot (and miss), he has emerged as the Kings best perimeter defender. Very versatile guarding SGs, SFs, and PFs, and has slowed everybody from Kevin Martin to Amare Stoudemire. Uses his length intelligently to challenge shots without fouling, and is capable of the big help block. Has a feisty oncourt demeanor on defense that belies his happy go lucky good guy routine off of it. Slipped smoothly into a defensive roleplayer role late in the season following the arrival of Marcus Thornton. Not as good on the glass as he should be at his height.
Intangibles
Popular off the court for many of the same reasons that he may not reach his potential on it. Able to subvert his ego for the sake of the team and remain upbeat even when he was getting no time at all, but of course his ability to do so only raises more questions about how hungry he is. Nonetheless a great chemistry guy and sideline cheerleader, and one who plays defense as well, and every team needs some of those.
Stats 10-11: 16.3min 5.8pts (.404 FG% .292 3pt% .662 FT%) 2.1reb 0.7ast 0.5stl 0.3blk 0.9TO
Stats Career: 17.4min 6.3pts (.406 FG% .320 3pt% .678 FT%) 2.3reb 0.7ast 0.5stl 0.4blk 1.0TO
NBA.com profile
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