Coty Davis asks Cade Cunningham about the 125-107 victory in Brooklyn.
Coty Davis asks Cade Cunningham about the 125-107 victory in Brooklyn.
Philadelphia — When making decisions in free agency, players consider various factors. Javonte Green had several components that led to his signing with the Detroit Pistons in August, highlighted by the opportunity to play for coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
However, before signing, Green held a meeting with Bickerstaff and shared how he felt his hard work and compassionate nature made him a quintessential fit for the Pistons’ culture. Three months later, he has been a central figure in helping the Pistons get off to their best start in 17 years.
“My experience has been great so far,” Green told The Detroit News. “From the style of play on the offensive and defensive end, it has been great to play for a team where there is so much trust. A lot of guys care for one another, and now, that has instilled a winning culture.”
Green has had a seven-year career in the NBA, which began with the Boston Celtics in 2019. He has since played for four different franchises before joining the Pistons. His longest tenure with one franchise was with the Chicago Bulls (2020-24), during which he played in 122 games over four seasons; however, building longevity in the league was once a pipedream.
After declaring for the 2015 NBA Draft as a prospect from Radford University, Green only participated in two pre-draft workouts. Despite being named the Big South Defensive Player of the Year (2015) and earning First-Team All-Big South honors twice (2014 and 2015), his draft status did not gain traction due to uncertainty among scouts regarding his position.
“They did not know what my position would be in the NBA,” Green said. “When I came out of college, they were playing two bigs at the same time before they transitioned to using small-ball lineups.”
The uncertainty scouts had led to Green going undrafted. Feeling he had no other options, he decided to pursue a career overseas.
“(Going overseas) was the best route for me at the time,” he says.
Green’s first team was Marín Peixegalego in the Spanish third division in 2015. He later joined Pallacanestro Trieste of the Italian second division before landing with Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga in 2018. He averaged a combined 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, earning individual accolades that included winning league MVP honors in 2016.
Although Green experienced personal success, he believes that his most significant gain came from learning the team dynamics of basketball.
“I learned how to play basketball. It isn’t about one guy over there; it is all about team basketball,” Green said. “For me, it was all about finding a way to inject myself into that, learning how to play the right way, whether off the ball or on defense, playing the passing lanes or in transition. They wanted everyone to be viewed as one.”
The lessons he grasped outside his hometown of Petersburg, Virginia, have laid the groundwork for his longevity in the league, especially when it comes to his promising start in Detroit.
As a member of the Pistons’ Bench Mob, Green has appeared in each of the first nine games, averaging 5.1 points on 35.0% 3-point shooting and 2.7 rebounds, while playing 17.6 minutes per game. His defense, grit and winning mindset only tell part of the story of how he has embodied the qualities that have contributed to the Pistons’ turnaround over the past year.
“In the short period of time that we have been together, I admire the way he approaches the game and his understanding of how to impact winning,” Bickerstaff said. “He is a selfless guy who makes effort play after effort play. He has a high basketball IQ and he loves to compete.”
Bickerstaff continued, “I think that’s all the things that coaches, teammates and fans really value. He is a natural carrier of our identity. He shows up every single day to work, and he is that type of person. I love his spirit and the passion with which he plays the game.”
By applying the lessons learned in several foreign countries, Green was able to capture Bickerstaff’s interest and initiate a conversation as a free agent. Each intangible has now led him to play a crucial role in the Pistons’ early-season success.
“It’s always about going out there and playing the right way,” Green said. “If we all play the right way and fulfill our roles, I feel like we will be one of the top teams, and everyone else in this locker room believes that as well.”
Wizards (1-9) at Pistons (7-2)
▶ Tipoff: 7 p.m. Monday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
▶ TV / radio: FDSN, Peacock / 97.1
▶ Pistons injuries: Jaden Ivey (right knee arthroscopy; out), Marcus Sasser (right hip impingement; out), Tobias Harris (right ankle sprain; out), Isaiah Stewart (left ankle sprain; questionable)
▶ Projected lineups: Pistons — guards Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson; forwards Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland II; center Jalen Duren. Wizards — guards CJ McCollum, Kyshawn George; forwards Khris Middleton, Justin Champagnie; center Alex Sarr.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
