While the Mavericks’ problem was essentially in defense last season, management has not really improved this sector. Certainly Grant Williams arrived, but they lost Frank Ntilikina, Reggie Bullock, but also the protection of the circle of JaVale McGee. that’s why Josh Green believes that there is a place to be taken in the role of “stopper” of service.
“I want to be able to be more present defensively”announces the Australian to DallasBasketball.com. “I think this is the perfect time to try. I think I will be in good enough condition to be able to defend all field in every match.”
A whole shooting mechanic to review
The other priority, and it is essential for an outsider, is to have a good shot. Because the Jazz had passed on him in the playoffs in 2022, Green makes him his priority every summer. Former shooting specialist at the Mavericks, Peter Patton testifies to the changes made over the past twelve months.
“Josh is a very, very good athlete who really needed to understand his body and its biomechanics,” Patton explains. “The first thing we tried to work on was his position. We started with the basics. We wanted to make sure his knees didn’t collapse. Then we worked on his hand placement on the ball and taught him his own shot. Many players know how to shoot, but many others don’t know their shots. Josh became a student of his own shooting.”
The figures confirm it, the Australian winger has been in constant progress since his arrival in the NBA. On shots, he went from 45 to 54% between 2021 and 2023. On 3-pointers, he went from 16 to 40%. And finally, on free throws, he shoots at 72%, compared to 56% during his rookie year. With such numbers, defenses will no longer ignore him…
“No one wants to be the player we ignore, putting Rudy Gobert in front of him”
“I think everyone who finds themselves with Rudy Gobert in front of them knows they have things to work on and I think Josh has been diligent in his work” continues his former coach. “I think he worked diligently. There was Joe Abunassar in Vegas, myself and Sean Sweeney – people who spent a lot of time with him. Josh was obsessed with becoming a better shooter. I think that’s how we get over it because no one wants to be the player we overlook, putting Rudy Gobert in front of him. »
For Joe Ingles, his teammate in the selection, Green has corrected his faults and improved his strengths, and his future is bright. “He started a few matches… He puts pressure on the ball, his shooting continues to improve, he cuts towards the circle… He has a bright future. »
Same prediction from Patty Mills who worked alongside him at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and this summer at the World Cup. “His development on both ends of the field is enormous. He has made giant strides since Tokyo. We saw it in his game in Dallas and now with us. He’s one of those guys that does all the little things right… He’s able to disrupt you on defense and force you to rush things, and on the other side of the court, he’s able to put in open shots, cut, to be in constant motion without the ball. He is one of those players that we are extremely proud of, because he continues to evolve, wants to learn and improve. »
| Josh Green | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 39 | 11 | 45.2 | 16.0 | 56.5 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 2.6 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 67 | 16 | 50.8 | 35.9 | 68.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 4.8 |
| 2022-23 | DAL | 60 | 26 | 53.7 | 40.2 | 72.3 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 9.1 |
| Total | 166 | 18 | 51.6 | 36.8 | 69.1 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 5.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
