chacle_091006_009

CLEVELAND- Danny Green is a 6 ft 6 in shooting guard from North Carolina. Green is the winningest player in North Carolina history: he played in more games 145 and had more wins 123 than any Tar Heel before him. He is the only player in ACC history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 three-pointers, 150 blocks and 150 steals. The Cleveland Cavaliers selected him as the 46th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft.

Today I had a chance to catch up with Green for a little one on one. Here is the Interview:

Q. What’s been the biggest transition for you going from college to the NBA?

Green answered: “Just the terminology. Different terminology, the game is definitely faster and stronger. Everybody here is a great player. I’m practicing against the best everyday so, but I’m learning everyday I’m like a sponge. I’m trying to learn everything from everybody here. Everybody is teaching me things here and there. There’s a lot of vets. I’m lucky they’re good guys. they are really taking the time out to help me and teach me some things, because I’ve learned a lot especially in the short amount of time I’ve been here, but just adjusting to learning terminology, learning the plays in a short amount of time, being in the right spots where I’m suppose to be and playing my game with in those circumstances.”

Q. How big is it for you to be not only a part of Cleveland Cavaliers but one of the top contenders your first year?

Green answered: “It’s very big. Like I said, I feel like I’m lucky. I got very lucky. I’m on a great team. I feel like on the best team in the world. A lot of these guys are teaching me everyday and I’m learning a lot. I may not be playing a lot, but i rather be this way then lose. I’ve never been a loser in my career, ever.”

Q. What are you feel as you’re getting ready for Boston, what are you feeling inside as you’re getting ready for the game?

Green answered: ” Right now it’s getting these guys ready really. Because I’m not starting right now, I don’t know if I will play major minutes, but pushing these guys everyday in practice and when I get in, be ready for when my time comes. Know my assignment, know the plays and just be prepared the best as i possible can.”

Q. Last night you had a chance to interact with the community in Elyria with the children, how was that for you?

Green answered: “That was great man, That was great. We’ve done a lot of it at Carolina. we do a lot of  charity, a lot of volunteer work, working with kid,. Special Olympics and stuff like that. Just to be a part of things like that, to help others is what I like to do. First I love to play basketball, but when ever I get a chance I definitely love to give back because I know how it is to be in those types of situations. I’ve had some friends in those situations. I mean growing up I didn’t have everything I wanted. I wasn’t the most fortunate. So I know what its like to be on both sides.”

Q. Being from North Carolina, you’ve been know for your pre-game antics, having fun out there. Are you looking forward to sharing that with LeBron and Shaq?

Green answered: “Yeah defiantly. What ever they come up with, I hope I can get involved with it. I’m sure it’s going to be some good classic stuff. Hopefully i get involved, hopefully we have some fun with it. It’s still a game, we have fun with it but when tip-off goes up its all business. Before tip-off have as much fun as we want to, get loose, relax, have some fun on the sidelines whatever, but our main goal is to be the last team standing.”

Q. Getting into the season, in the locker room and with in the team, what are the expectations like right now?

Green answered: “Making strides each day, stepping up our play, better offensively and defensively, executing our plays better each day and our rotation defensively each day, getting better and better defensively and offensively. And if we do those thing I feel will have a good chance of winning. No team in a champion with out playing defense, so thats what coach was teaching us today a lot and I’m sure he’ll keep teaching it to us through out the whole year. So I got to get use to it and use to hearing it, so working on my defense right now and the offense will come later.”

After getting to know Green during training camp and the preseason, it’s not hard to see he is a hard worker, great team mate and a great player and wants to win just as much if not more than all his team mates. Green is a great asset not only to the Cavaliers but also the surrounding communities. Look for Green to be a difference maker on and off the court.