After being dealt last season in a package that sent Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it never seemed like Jeff Green had much of a chance to develop a role for himself as a Boston Celtic last year. Some thought this season would be Green’s opportunity for that, and it looked even more likely with the departure of Glen Davis as well. Unfortunately though, that chance for Green or the Celtics won’t be realized this season either.
During a physical last week, it was determined that Green would need surgery to repair his heart, and will miss the 2011-12 season.
This from Boston.com:
Jeff Green will have surgery to repair his aorta and will miss the season.
The 25-year-old is expected to make a full recovery.
The medical issue arose when Green was taking a physical last week. He said the problem was found when he took a stress test.
Since then, he has seen a number of specialists, the last of which was in Cleveland at the Cleveland Clinic yesterday.
Because Green could not pass the physical, the free agent contract he signed with the Celtics will be voided
I suppose you can look at this news and say it’s good and arguably life saving that Green’s condition was discovered during a routine physical. It probably is and was that for sure. But it still must be a difficult for Green and even the Celtics in some ways to deal with this right now. News like this is always the last thing anybody expects.
What is definitely good though is that Green is expected to make a full recovery. He’s only 25 too, so it also stands to reason he has some NBA days ahead of him still after making that complete recovery. Because he will miss the entire season, he will remain a restricted free agent for the Celtics next season.
Jeff Green was the 5th overall pick in the 2007 Draft, and has averaged 14 points and 5 rebounds per game for his career to date. He averaged over 15 last season through the first 49 games he played in Oklahoma City, a number that then dipped to 9 during the last 26 he played in Boston.
