Jeff Green earned his place on the press conference podium after Game 7.
The veteran forward played a crucial role in helping the Cleveland Cavaliers eliminate the Boston Celtics on Sunday, scoring 19 points with eight rebounds, an assist, and a block in 42 minutes. And he proved to be a suitable stopgap with Kevin Love out with a concussion.
Considering how much flak LeBron James' supporting cast has taken throughout the season (and especially these playoffs), Green's big outing may help silence some of the criticism about the quality of talent on the Cavaliers' roster.
"Honestly, I ignore it," Green said of the constant stream of criticism aimed at him and his fellow non-LeBron teammates. "Because I know what our team is capable of. Everybody is going to have their opinion of what LeBron has around him. We lose, (people say) we have a terrible team. We win, (they say) 'oh we knew they could it.' It's the way it is and we ignore it."
Green wasn't the only Cavaliers roleplayer who found ways to contribute in Game 7. Though point guard George Hill only scored six points on six shots in 38 minutes, he finished with a game-high plus-24 while helping hold Celtics guards Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart to a combined eight points. Center Tristan Thompson fell one rebound shy of a double-double, making all four of his shots from the field. J.R. Smith went 3-for-5 from long range.
"We go in the gym each day and we work hard and try to get better," Green continued. "That's why when the time comes and we get on the floor, we know we have all the confidence in the world that we can battle with anybody. We keep all the negative energy out and we continue to stay positive, be with one another and have each other's backs."
With a bevy of transactions completely changing the Cavaliers' roster midseason, 22 players wound up playing for the Cavaliers this season, with 19 averaging double digits in minutes in their appearances. While that much roster turnover could have derailed the team's season, Green maintains that their hard work speaks for itself.
"We've been through multiple seasons in one," said Green. "And to be at this point where we're now going to the Finals, for me is a blessing. It shows the hard work the team that we have, how hard that we worked to prove the doubters wrong."
