Danny Green has been off to a rough start this season. What is happening with the Sixers‘ swingman?
Danny Green was an important piece to the 76ers last season and helped them obtain the best record in the Eastern Conference. Early on, Green showed he could be a floor spacer and a good defender on defense. Last season he averaged 9.5 ppg and shot 40 percent from three on 6 attempts per game. During the second-round series against the Hawks, he started showing some signs of slowing down on defense when he was the primary defender on Trae Young during Game 1.
This offseason, the Sixers signed Green to a two-year contract expecting him to return to the form he had earlier last season as they navigated a potential life without Ben Simmons. Since the start of the season, Green has been dealing with a hamstring injury and inconsistency on the court.
He has played in only 11 games thus far and hasn’t looked nearly as effective. He is averaging 7.5 ppg, which is his lowest average since the 2019 NBA season. His defense has been up and down so far this season when you could count on him to make an impact in previous years.
Why is Green off to a rough start? Could it be the mileage of many years in the NBA? Green is in his 13th season in the NBA and has made an extended playoff run on many of his previous teams. Could he be missing the playmaking of Ben Simmons? Last year Danny Green benefited the most from Ben Simmons’ playmaking in the open court. Danny Green benefited from Simmons’ passes on the fast break for open threes as well as corner threes.
Danny Green is still an important piece, and the Sixers are going to need him in order to win games in the regular season and compete in the playoffs. Let’s hope Green can rest his nagging hamstring and return to form as the season progresses.
With Embiid continuing to be the focal point of the offense, Green’s quick trigger and shooting will continue to compliment the big fella.
