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The 2019-20 season has been far from what Gerald Green expected. After an offseason honing his skills in preparation for his third stint with the Houston Rockets, Green’s season came to an unexpected end during a preseason game against the Toronto Raptors in Japan.
Green, 33, sustained a fracture in his left foot and underwent what many believed to be a season-ending surgery for the Houston native.
Nearly six months after the operation, Green is anticipating a visit with his doctor will lead to his transition out of the walking booth as early as next week. With a simple goal in mind just to wear shoes on both feet again, Green’s aspiration to return by the postseason is fueled by the passion and gratitude to play for his hometown team.
“Anytime you can put on this uniform and play is a great opportunity. To go out there and play my part and try to help my team win a championship is what it’s all about. It’s what you live for.”
Green has played a valuable role off the bench since joining the Rockets in the middle of the 2017-18 season. Across a total of 114 games, two starts, the 12-year veteran has averaged 10.6 points per game while connecting on 36.2% of his shots from behind the arc.
Gerald Green casually did this CRAZY dunk from the pass by James Harden @RicoHinesBball Private Runs! Full video: https://t.co/AwPjyPxDU7 pic.twitter.com/rT1OI9GFqG
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 1, 2019
Although the rotation has been thin due to Green’s injury, the Rockets have managed to put together a solid season, standing fourth in the Western Conference with a 26-12 record. However, Houston’s bench production has declined without Green on the court, as the Rockets’ second unit is currently averaging a league-low 25.6 points, in comparison to 31.2 points when the reserve forward is healthy.
“I love where we are at. Obviously, there are some areas where we can improve, but from the outside lines, I think we are in a good position. We let a few games get away we should have won. But we also won games that show we are one of the best teams in the league. We gotta keep fighting. We gotta keep believing. And we gotta keep trusting in each other.”
Following the blowout victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Rockets will return to the road on Tuesday to take on the young and talented, Memphis Grizzlies. Tip-off is slated for 7 P.M. CT.