Gerald Green cleaned up the mess around the rim Thursday night as he slammed down the put-back dunk and scored two points for the Boston Celtics.
During the fourth quarter of a tight game between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers, Gerald Green provided great entertainment with his put-back dunk to extend the Celtics’ lead to three with under seven minutes to play.
After Terry Rozier missed an open three-pointer, Green found space as he slammed down the put-back jam. It’s been 10 years since Green won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Yet, the Celtics wing can still get high in the air. His put-back jam provided some entertainment as well for the few Boston fans in attendance.
Portland failed to box out like players are taught to do throughout all levels of play. As a result, Green took advantage and reacted well to provide an easy two points for Boston.
Green is back in a Celtics uniform this season for the first time since the 2006-07 season. His signing has paid off for the Celtics, especially on Thursday night against Portland on the road. Green is tough to guard when he has the ball. However, it’s even harder to keep track of him as he’s tracking the ball for a potential rebound.
The 31-year-old player brought back some of his youth to live. Green isn’t the same player as he was back when he won the Slam Dunk Contest. Despite that, he’s still a threat for opposing teams on both sides of the ball.
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All in all, Green put down what his teammate put up. The play didn’t end how Rozier anticipated when he took the shot. Yet, he won’t be complaining as Green emphatically slammed the ball into the hoop. Just like Vince Carter’s two blocks in consecutive succession did, Green’s play turned back the clock on Thursday.