Gerald Green has earned a spot in the rotation for the playoffs

With his stellar and consistent play, Gerald Green has earned a spot in the rotation for the Houston Rockets in the postseason.

Gerald Green played his first game in a Houston Rockets uniform back on Dec. 28. But, in his short time here, the Houston native has become quite a fan favorite.

Green has become a sort of back-up for Eric Gordon. When Gerald Green comes off of the bench, he’s looking to score in droves.

Green has never been shy about putting up shots, and that’s why he fits in so well with the Rockets. His ability to make 3-pointers at a high rate as a volume shooter makes Houston’s incredible floor spacing even better.

Green, like P.J. Tucker, is also one of the players on the Rockets that gives a consistent effort in every game. He always seems to get himself in the mix, and that’s why he has to get minutes for the Rockets in the playoffs.

The Rockets signed Green back in December to add some much-needed depth to an ailing roster. He surpassed expectations, averaging 15.6 points on 41.5 percent shooting from 3-point range in his first 10 games.

More from Space City Scoop

Gerald Green was suspended and only played in four minutes over a stretch of five games, but he rebounded by averaging 13.4 points on 39.7 percent shooting from deep over his next eight games from Jan. 28 to Feb. 11.

The Rockets added Joe Johnson who played in his first game on Feb. 14, and Green nearly fell out of the rotation for a few weeks. But over the last week and a half, Green has taken advantage of his extra playing time.

Gerald Green has averaged 15.8 points and 4.5 rebounds on 36.5 percent shooting from 3-point range over his last six games. His highlight over that stretch was a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that lifted the Rockets over the Suns in what would’ve been an embarrassing loss for Houston.

Green’s recent stretch has confirmed that he definitely deserves a permanent spot in the rotation going forward. And according to Adam Spolane of CBS Houston, Mike D’Antoni seems to agree.

Mike D’Antoni on Gerald Green’s playoff role “Oh, he’s playing”

— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 4, 2018

Last season, Mike D’Antoni cut his postseason rotation to just eight players. This year, D’Antoni will have to decide if he will cut his rotation to eight again or expand it to nine or ten. Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, Luc Mbah A Moute, Nene, Gerald Green and Joe Johnson all deserve some minutes.

Next: Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant pick James Harden for MVP

Of course, Gordon will receive a lot of playing time, as should Mbah a Moute. If the rotation is cut to just eight players again, then Green has played well enough to be deserving of that eighth spot.

Home/Rockets News