Boston Celtics Forward Jeff Green Still Recovering From Heart Surgery
By Chris Roling
Boston Celtics fans are likely very happy to see forward Jeff Green averaged 20.3 points per game against the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA playoffs in what turned out to be a loss for Boston.
Green’s performance was superb, but lost in the shuffle is the fact he is still recovering from heart surgery.
According to Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe, Green battled serious fatigue early in the year. He wears a specialized tank top to protect his chest, but not many realize just how demanding the heart procedure can be on an NBA player.
Chris Forsberg of ESPN reveals that Green is just now finally getting a handle on how to control the symptoms of a surgery that stopped his heart for an hour-and-a-half:
"Green reported he’s been diligently following his offseason workout program and is beginning to feel like his “old self.” Green underwent life-threatening heart surgery for an aortic aneurysm that left him sidelined for all of 2011-12. He played in 81 games this past season and averaged 27.8 minutes a game, but battled overwhelming fatigue and chest tightness that were byproducts of a surgery that a ctually required stopping his heart for an hour-and-a-half."
It’s nothing but good news that Green finally has a handle on his condition. It’s truly been an amazing and remarkable story to watch his journey to this point.
The news is even better for Boston fans. Green was excellent in the postseason and is apparently just now getting back to his normal self. That’s a critical piece of information for a team that appears to be more than ready to enter a serious rebuilding phase.
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