Danny Green Sets NBA Finals Record For Three-Pointers.
Manu Ginobili may have stolen the show in Game 5 of the NBA finals Sunday night with his acrobatic, high-octane offensive performance in his first start of the season. It was Danny Green, however, who set a record during the Spurs' 114-104 defeat of the Miami Heat.
Green has been on an absolute tear during the finals, dumping in baskets from all over the floor, emerging as the unexpected leader of a Spurs charge that has them within one game of the title. During Game 5, Green sunk six three-pointers to reach a record 25 three-pointers during an NBA finals series.
"It seems everything is going right for me. I feel truly blessed. The basketball gods are in our favor right now," said Green. "It's an honor to be even playing on the same floor as some of these guys. Growing up, I watched him [Ray Allen] play all the time. To think I broke a record of his is surreal."
In large part, he has his teammates to thank for his success. Ginobili's break-out play Sunday night facilitated the ball movement necessary to get Green open. The consistent play of teammates Tim Duncan and Tony Parker this series only stretched the Miami Heat defense even further. Still, Green deserves most of the credit in what has been one of the most prolific shooting performances in recent memory.
"He's been unbelievable. Especially on this stage," Duncan said. "He's been shooting the ball so well. We're asking him to defend Dwyane Wade and LeBron and all these guys. He's got a lot on his shoulders and he's stepped up and answered the bell."
Green entered the NBA finals after a season that saw him average a shade over 10 points a game. He has absolutely erupted during the finals, however, averaging 15 points a game from his three-point shooting alone.
Those that know Green and are close to the situation in San Antonio are not surprised at all by his recent success. His former head coach in Cleveland, Mike Brown, has already stated that many times in practice Green would be the second-best player on the court after LeBron James. Others believe that the Spurs' system has really brought the best out of Green.
"There's no better place than San Antonio for a player who can accentuate a specialty, and the guys around you can get the jobs done that you're not asked to do," said former Spurs guard Brent Barry. "You just focus on specifics and don't confuse yourself with anything else. That's the mode Danny Green is in right now."