Gonzales: Energy, versatility key to Green fitting in with Bulls

Javonte Green leaps through the key, trying to finish every drive with a convincing dunk reminiscent of Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins.

On the defensive end, Green has been assigned to harness speedy guards such as All-Star Trae Young and formidable front-line players such as Joel Embiid.

Green has been assigned to these various tasks even though he stands only 6 feet 4 inches.

And that seems OK with the Bulls, who have welcomed Green's fearless energy in a lineup that includes All-Stars DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.

"We have a lot of calm guys who play at their own pace," interim head coach Chris Fleming said last week. "Javonte kind of brings us up."

Green, 28, hasn't tried to play up his role, which became larger after Patrick Williams tore ligaments in his left wrist in late October that likely will sideline him for the remainder of the regular season.

Now Green is down because of a right groin injury that is expected to sideline him two to four weeks, coach Billy Donovan said before Monday's game against the Orlando Magic.

There's also the strong possibility the Bulls could look for bigger and more experienced front-line help Feb. 10.

For the time being, the Bulls would welcome Green's versatility when he returns.

"He has not had a problem with anybody this year," Fleming said. "He's just accepted when it's his time, he wants to play."

Green's contributions run deeper than his 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. His positive energy is reflected in that he has a plus score of double figures in each of his last eight games.

Green's six-year odyssey since leaving Radford University in 2015 makes his current role with the Bulls even more remarkable. He went undrafted and played in Spain, Italy and Germany for four seasons before the Boston Celtics invited him to their summer league team.

Green played well enough to earn a two-year contract but played sparingly in his second season before he was traded to the Bulls last March.

His defensive versatility and relentless zest have fit seamlessly with a revamped roster filled with major upgrades.

"I just want to do everything that DeMar, Zach and Vooch don't necessarily have to do, like guard the best player, and bring them energy," Green said.

"They're going to score, regardless. I just want to take more pressure off them and do the little things."

Green said his style hasn't changed since his days at Brunswick High School in Lawrenceville, Va., where he also starred as an option quarterback.

"I like contact," Green said in a matter-of-fact manner.

Backup guard Coby White believes Green's offense is underrated, noting that his fearlessness in driving to the basket and ability to sink three-point shots (he made five in a win Dec. 8 at Brooklyn) have prevented opponents from focusing their entire efforts on stopping DeRozan, LaVine and Vucevic.

There is one pregame trick that pleasantly annoys White. As part of his routine, Green will shoot a free throw. Once the ball goes through the net, Green picks up the ball after the first bounce, swings it through his legs before finishing the routine with a reverse dunk.

"That's just who he is, ultra athletic," White said. "It's crazy. He does it because he can, and I hate it because I can't."

Green has no explanation as to why he performs, aside from recalling he started the routine during his playing days in Europe.

"You practice how you play," Green said.

Green didn't set high ambitions at the start of training camp, other than "making sure (the coaching staff) knows I'm working.

"My mentality is do to whatever you got to do when I step on the court," Green said.

Considering that it took four years playing overseas and two nondescript seasons with the Celtics before making a significant contribution, Green declined to wonder whether he might have been overlooked or underappreciated.

"I know how much my teammates and the coaching staff appreciate what I do," Green said. "I just care about what's going on right here. I can't control anything I can't control."

@MDGonzales