ERICK GREEN - DENVER NUGGETS POINT GUARD INTERVIEW - ALL-MET ELITE

ERICK GREEN 

DENVER NUGGETS 

POINT GUARD

 INTERVIEW 

 ALL-MET ELITE 

PAUL VI. HS.

FAIRFAX VA.

ARTICLE

 COURTESY OF 

RANTSPORTS.COM

RantSports recently had a unique opportunity to interview Denver Nuggets point guard Erick Green. Green played three years of his high school career for Millbrook High School, which was one of my alma mater’s, Sherando High School, biggest rivals. I remember watching him destroy us game after game, and I knew he was going to be something special. Green went on to be the 2013 co-ACC Player of the Year, lead the nation in scoring in 2012-13 and was a second-round draft pick of the Nuggets in the 2013 NBA Draft.

For the purposes of this interview dialogue, RantSports will be defined as “RS,” and Erick Green will be “EG.”

RS: How did your family end up moving from Inglewood, Calif. to Winchester, Va., when you were a kid?

EG: Well, my mother’s side of the family is from Inglewood, and I spent a few years there and then my parents decided to move to the east coast to DC. My mom grew up in Inglewood and wanted to raise me somewhere else.

RS: Which high school state championship meant more to you? Millbrook High School’s during your junior year or Paul VI Catholic High School’s during your senior year?

EG: Millbrook!! I grew up with those guys and we played AAU together since we were in fifth grade. So winning that in our small town with those guys who are like my brothers meant more to me than anything.

RS: Do you believe you would be where you are today if you would’ve stayed at Millbrook during your senior year?

EG: Honestly, I have no idea. I think playing in the WCAC got me prepared faster because of the talent level and they were guys who I was going to play against one day in the ACC.

RS: When did Virginia Tech first contact you about a scholarship? Did you have any offers from any other Division I schools?

EG: They started looking at me my sophomore year. James Johnson, the assistant coach, came to see me play and thought I would be a steal. He told (Seth) Greenberg, and they both came to see me play at Millbrook, and offered me that day. I had three other offers from JMU, George Mason and St. Joe’s.

RS: What led you to choose Virginia Tech?

EG: It was in the ACC and it was close to home so my family and friends could come see me play.

RS: How’d you progress from a freshman who averaged 2.6 points per game, to a senior averaging 25 points per game, and winning the co-ACC Player of the Year for the 2012-2013 season?

EG: Injuries happened throughout my freshman and sophomore year to put me in a position where I was able to play more minutes and get more comfortable with my teammates. My junior year, I knew I would be taking on a larger role I just continued to show my talents and prove I deserved to be out there. So the summer going into my senior year, I was in the gym 2-3 times a day working on every aspect of my game and it paid off.

RS: Do you believe you would’ve been a first-round pick had you played at a more prominent basketball program?

EG: To be honest I have no idea. I’m just happy to be able to play in the NBA, it’s really a dream come true. I think everything happens for a reason. Guys in this league come from small schools, large schools, big conferences, and small conferences all the time. I am just glad I was presented that opportunity.

RS: What was your reaction when you received the call that the Denver Nuggets were selecting you with the No. 46 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft?

EG: I was speechless, I couldn’t believe it. Everyone in my house was cheering and screaming and I was just sitting there with a big smile on my face and happy my dream came true.

RS: Was it tough not getting an opportunity to play during your rookie year?

EG: Yes, it was very tough, but I knew going in that it was going to be a rough year and I had to earn everything. When you’re not playing, it kind of messes with your confidence, but the vets help you throughout the year.

RS: Did the Nuggets initiate the talk of sending you to play in Italy your rookie year, or was it your decision?

EG: They thought it would be good for me since they had three PGs. For me to grow and mature as a player, I thought it was a better route than the D-league personally, and it gave me a chance to learn another style of basketball and add it to my game.

RS: Do you believe you’re a better player after competing overseas?

EG: My family and I always talk about this. We all believe it did. It made me grow up on the court and they believe I added some stuff from the European game to my game.

RS: What was going through your mind when you checked into your first NBA game last Nov. 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers?

EG: I was so nervous. I was standing up during a timeout, coach called my name and my heart just started beating out of my chest. When I got in, and made my first shot, all the nerves went away and just started to play ball.

RS: Have you been awestruck by any NBA players?

EG: Kobe Bryant was probably the only one who really struck me. Seeing him was just like wow, and when he walks into the gym it’s like he’s a god to people. They start going crazy and yelling his name and cameras going off. It was surreal.

RS: Last season, you averaged 3.4 PPG during 43 appearances. Should we expect Erick Green to be leading the NBA in scoring in a couple of years?

EG: Man, that would be awesome if that happened. In a couple years, hopefully I can become a big-time scorer in the NBA and an impact player on an NBA roster.

RS: Have you talked with your new head coach Mike Malone about what your role might look like in 2015-16?

EG: Yes, he told me to do what I do best and score the ball and make plays. He likes my game a lot, and says I bring a lot of energy to the team.

RS: Do you feel like you’re ready for an expended role?

EG: Yes, I think I’m ready. I’ve been working hard this offseason and just have to go into training camp ready to prove myself and show people I deserve to be on the court.

RS: Is Summer League the best way for you to prove your talents?

EG: Yes, I think it’s huge. All the coaches and GMs are there to see how much you have improved and if you are ready for the big jump.

RS: What are the biggest areas of your game that need improvement?

EG: I think I need to improve my strength and making open threes constantly.

RS: What would you say are the biggest strengths in your game?

EG: Scoring the ball and making plays are what I do best.

RS: Can you tell us what to expect from Erick Green during the 2015-16 NBA season?

EG: Hopefully, it will be a great year and I will have a bigger role this season. I know I have to be patient and wait for my opportunity, but I’ll be ready when it comes.

With the Nuggets recently trading Ty Lawson and Jameer Nelson opting out of his contract with the team, it opens up a tremendous opportunity for Green. While rookie Emmanuel Mudiay will likely take the reigns as the starting point guard, it opens up minutes for Green to get some quality playing time, which is all he needs to be successful. During the 2015 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, Green averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 53.7 percent from the field, despite only averaging 24 minutes of action over five games. He has the ability to put up points in a hurry, which would make him the ideal sixth-man coming off the bench.