Danny Green happy for fellow ex-Raptor Pascal Siakam and underdog Pacers, big fan of SGA

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Danny Green is a member of the media now, so he has to remain impartial, but it’s clear he has a soft spot for one NBA finalist over the other this year.

Green, who won three titles in four trips to the Finals, including the one Canadian basketball fans all remember with the Toronto Raptors in 2018-19, is happy for former teammate Pascal Siakam, as well as other members of the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers are considered extremely unlikely bets to upend an Oklahoma City Thunder team that won 68 games in the regular season and have since mostly swatted away all comers, other than a Denver side that gave them a mild scare before getting crushed in Game 7.

But Green, who wasn’t drafted until the second round and had to fight to make it back after being cut by both Cleveland and San Antonio before becoming a staple with the Spurs, knows a thing or two about doubters.

“All these guys have a chip on their shoulder and exterior motivations from people that have always doubted them and criticized them,” Green told Postmedia on a recent video call.

“So to see (the Pacers) kind of shut those people up and make it to where they are, I couldn’t be happier for the group,” he said after also comparing them to his Raptors team that wasn’t expected to even make it to the final round, let alone win the championship.

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“Because I was one of those guys that was always doubted as well. So I know the similar criticism that they’re getting.”

Green, who was talking ahead of a visit to Canada for NBA House, an immersive basketball experience and fan event at the Rooftop YYC in Calgary for Game 1 and 2 of the Finals (former champion Metta World Peace also will be on hand, along with the Larry O’Brien Trophy), sounded particularly pleased for Siakam.

“It’s great,” Green said of Siakam getting back to the biggest stage six years after Toronto’s win (Green himself went five years between going twice for San Antonio and his return with Toronto, then also made it the next year with the Los Angeles Lakers).

“A lot of people were, I wouldn’t say doubting him, but they just were so quote/unquote disappointed that he was not becoming the No. 1 option they expected to be when he went to Indiana (in a trade from the Raptors), and for them all to beat the odds.

“Myles Turner has been that longest-tenured Pacer (10 seasons). He’s been there since the (Paul George) years, but finally, get to the Finals and get there before some of the guys that he’s played with,” Green added.

“And then, Tyrese Haliburton, voted most overrated (by fellow players in a bizarre poll), And also Pascal, and I see Pascal and OG (Anunoby) kind of battling it out against each other (in the Eastern Conference final). It was fun to watch that whole series, but to see (Siakam) actually show people like, ‘Yo, he’s an all-NBA player for a reason,’ and Tyrese Haliburton saying that he’s not overrated.”

Which isn’t to say Green doesn’t also appreciate Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadian who won league MVP this year.

“I love the fact that he still, he reminds me of Kobe (Bryant). He still does a lot in the mid-range and a lot of footwork and fundamentals,” Green said.

“A lot of people are not happy or disappointed with how many threes are being taken and that we don’t have traditional back-to-the-basket games anymore, post-ups and go with big men, and have mid-range games. And it was kind of being pushed out of the game and becoming obsolete.

“So the fact that (Gilgeous-Alexander and others), they mix up their game and they make sure that they continue to not only improve, but show how important it is to be able to score on all levels, to be able to defend and to do all the other little things that matter, outside of shooting the ball from the three-point line.”

Green said he hasn’t been to Calgary before, but was always treated well in other cities and is looking forward to exploring and experiencing the city.

“Canada’s always been great. It’s welcomed me with overwhelming love,” Green said.

“Just the diversity of Canada. It’s always amazing to me, I guess, how many different people, groups of people, are there, and also that they’re all kind of similar and nice, you know, hospitable.

“So, love being around and love the energy. I’m hoping that Calgary’s the same.”