BOSTON -- Doc Rivers' stance on Jeff Green hasn't wavered.
The Boston Celtics head coach wants the swingman's aggressiveness to be as consistent, too.
Green is averaging 10.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in the first 21 games of the season. There are nights when he quietly goes about his business on the court -- he has attempted six field goals or less in a third of the regular season games so far -- and then there are the games when he can get into a rhythm for 15-plus points.
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Green's coach and teammates have continued to repeat the same message -- forget about the shots you miss and keep going.
On Wednesday Green responded. He attempted 16 field goals in 27 minutes during the Celtics double overtime win against the Dallas Mavericks, finishing the night with 15 points (5-16 FG, 1-4 3PG, 4-4 FT). Kevin Garnett, in comparison, attempted one less shot in 14 more minutes. The Celtics don't mind.
"I can't let those shots get to me," said Green. "I can't get down because I missed an open shot or an open three or a layup. I've got to continue to attack the rim, continue to be aggressive."
There is no question Green can score. He was averaging 15.2 points per game during the 2010-11 season as a starter on the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to the Celtics. Now it's a matter of continuing to attack on both ends of the court. Rivers is bought in to helping Green further his development on the Cs.
Jeff is staying aggressive," said Rivers. "Weve just got to get him better. Hes still defensively, theres things hes got to do better. Its on us to make him better, not on him, and thats what were going to try and do.
Green's shot attempts have increased from 7.6 per game in November to 11.0 this month. His rebounds have also gone up from 2.5 per game to 4.5.
"KG, Doc, they want me to be aggressive," Green said. "So that's what I'm going to do."