Gerald Green, miracle without half of a finger

If you have watched Big3 season 5 so far, you must have noticed Gerald Green. For fans of the NBA, the most glamorous club basketball competition in the world, this first name, and last name provoke full admiration and respect.

His biography is pretty unbelievable for many reasons. Gerald’s dunking is recognizable in basketball circles, but his childhood is unique in the same, if not bigger way. You got only glimpses of Green’s story and if you keep reading you will see why this theme deserved my attention.

How did his NBA road start?

Let’s go to the beginning. Green was one of the last players to enter the NBA league directly from high school. Gerald was chosen as the 18th overall pick by the Boston Celtics in 2005.

His impressive result was seen right away in Las Vegas Summer League where Boston sent him. He scored 8 points and had 13 rebounds for the Celtics. After that, his transfer to “NBA D-League” happened in January 2006.

Finally, this magnificent player was recalled for the NBA roster position and in February had his first significant playing experience. In 23 minutes of the first game, on his account, it was standing 13 points and 9 rebounds.

How was the rest of his engagement in Boston?

Green averaged 11.8 minutes, 5.2 points, and 1.2 rebounds during his first season in NBA. Gerald was constantly trying to improve in all parts of his game.

Gerald Green gave little glimpses of his potential at the end of the 2005/2006 season and his start of the second season was some kind of slow. He had more opportunities to play due to Paul Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak’s absences. His performances were not enough to get him starting role, though.

First-ever participation in the first lineup came in December 2006. Wonder from Houston finished the second season averaging 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1 assist.

Where did he continue his career?

In July 2007, it was officially announced that Gerald was traded with Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, and Sebastian Telfair to Minnesota for Kevin Garnet. Many players were playing in his position in Timberwolves and Green was stuck to the bench.

His agent requested a transfer so he would be able to play more. Gerald Green finished in Houston, but he was very soon released by the Rockets.

He became an unrestricted free agent in July 2008. It was time for a new team in his process of development and it turned out to be Dallas Mavericks.

What did his time in Dallas look like?

Gerald decided to participate in the Summer League to use the opportunity to learn more and get insight into the Dallas organization and system. He failed to make a positive impact there as he finished it with 13.3 points per game and 38 % of field goals.

Green was better at shooting from beyond the arc with 43% accuracy. Gerald Green then took part in the Rocky Mountain Revue, a summer league held in Utah.

This player averaged 17.7 points per game, and his efficiency of shots raised to 45%. His shots for three points had an accuracy of 46%.

Where was his next station?

Green has been outside of America for the next couple of years. Gerald played first in the Russian league for Lokomotiv Kuban. He stayed there only six months when they relinquished him from the duties.

After that, he was named to the Los Angeles Lakers squad for the NBA 2010 Summer League. Gerald Green continued his career again in Russia where he signed for Krasnye Krylya. Finally, his road took him to Asia as he started playing for Foshan Dralions.

Foshan released him on December 2, 2011, before the end of a one-year contract. The reason was Green was not able to adapt to the tactic system of the whole team.

What happened after the European and Asian odyssey?

Gerald played in New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and Houston Rockets. Throughout his Suns period, Green had the best performances in his NBA career if we look at the points per game parameter.

His 15.8 points per game were very significant for Phoenix in the 2013/2014 season. Gerald Green was in Houston from 2017-2020 and that was his longest time in one NBA team. He scored in one game eight 3-pointers and tie a career-high in that statistical indicator.

Gerald Green officially on October 22, 2021, and joined the Houston Rockets coaching staff as a player development coach.

How did look his Big3 career?

Gerald Green signed for Bivouac in 2022 in the Big3 league and tried to taste this kind of competition. He was appointed as captain and in the draft pool got teammates Jeff Ayres and Corey Brewer. Other members of the team were Ike Diogu and Will Bynum. Gary Payton came from 3 Headed Monsters to be a head coach of Bivouac.

They had high ambitions for this season, but couldn’t qualify for a playoff. Bivouac finished 10th in the Big3 standings after the regular part of the season with a 2-4 score. Green got the Player of the Week 4 Award for his 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists and left a good impression in his debut season.

What is he doing outside the court?

Green is very active outside of court and his charity work is well known to the audience. Hurricane Harvey struck Texas and Louisiane in 2018 and it caused 125 billion dollars in damage. Gerald promised the citizens of those regions that he is going to help them so they would be able to recover from huge losses.

Gerald Green also provided aid in many other situations and made several donations to different organizations which he wanted to be anonymous.

His brother, Garlon Green, is also a basketball professional player who currently plays in Europe for the Romanian team Oradea.

What happened in Gerald’s childhood?

Green lost more than half of his right finger while he was trying to dunk on a makeshift hoop. Gerald was only 11 years old when he and his younger brother were competing in leaping and jumping at home. Gerald Green was wearing his mother’s ring and the ring was caught on a nail.

Unfortunately, that fact caused his finger to rip to the bone. It couldn’t be saved during the surgery and needed to be amputated. His competitive career didn’t start until his sophomore year.

It’s interesting to imagine how might have his performances been if that accident didn’t happen during his childhood.

What he was most famous for?

Gerald won the award of NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion in 2007 when he was playing for Boston Celtics. Green was always able to do things that no one else could do in the dunking category.

In 2008, Gerald Green performed a “Birthday Cake” dunk where his teammate Rashad McCants put on a cupcake on the top of the rim. The hero of this story proceeded to blow out its candle in the middle of the dunk. His second place was deserved for that performance.

In 2013, we saw another participation in the dunk contest, he failed at doing something new. His retirement from the dunk contest came soon.

A lot of Green’s inspiration came from Hip Hop music but he motivated a high number of guys to try making significant careers.

Losing more than half of a finger when you are 11 years old must have been devastating for Gerald. Despite sad life circumstances, Gerald Green continued to improve as a human being and basketball player. His appearance on courts drove the auditorium wild with his even wilder dunks.

Dunking established him as a recognizable figure in NBA and Big3 for sure, but there are two more things here. Persistence and focus are his symbols. And Gerald is on the side of good guys.