Cavaliers' Green with envy... for life and hoops

It's the time of year for reflection, expression and appreciation. At age 31, you can bet Jeff Green is experiencing all of those emotions, and more. The

It's the time of year for reflection, expression and appreciation.

At age 31, you can bet Jeff Green is experiencing all of those emotions, and more.

The veteran forward of the Cleveland Cavaliers is back playing at a high level off the bench for coach Tyronn Lue's squad, which will play the second game of a three-game road trip Wednesday night at Sacramento.

Green underwent open-heart surgery at age 25 in January 2012 at the Cleveland Clinic. A routine physical examination showed an aortic aneurysm.

Green, who is averaging 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists for Cleveland this season, despite playing a career-low 22.1 minutes per game, knows how fortunate he is.

After sitting out the 2011-12 season, Green returned in time to play in the season-opening game the following season on Oct. 30, 2012 against, ironically, the Cavaliers, and, even more ironically, at Quicken Loans Arena, located nearby the Cleveland Clinic.

“It’s something that’s true and dear to my heart — the way I battled to get back on the court and still play at a high level,” Green told Aaron Dodson of The Undefeated in a revealing interview. “A lot of people counted me out, and didn’t think I’d be able to come back. So I’m truly grateful for the work that I put in.”

Green, a Georgetown product, played last season for the Orlando Magic. averaging career lows in both points (9.2) and rebounds (3.1), in 22.2 minutes per game. He also shot a career-low from the floor (.394) and from the 3-point line (.275).

His decision to sign for the NBA minimum with the Cavaliers last summer has been a boon to Green. The decision to do so reunited him with Lue, who was an assistant in Boston during Green's time as a Celtic (2010-11 through 2013-14).

"For one, what they did in the last couple years, as far as making it to the Finals," Green said. "That’s something I wanna experience. The opportunity to play alongside, to learn, to grow, to better my game — I thought that could help."

Reconnecting with Lue was especially important, according to Green.

"With T. Lue being the head coach, and he and I having a past, being in Boston together, him knowing how to put me in positions to succeed — I was looking forward to that," he said. "I know him very, very well, and he knows me very well. I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to revive my career … and it’s been great so far.

"I was very blessed, and very thankful when they called."

Much of Green's time this season is being spent as James' backup, though they do play together in the same frontcourt as well. James' work ethic has impressed Green.

"Everybody knows who LeBron is. He’s a hard worker," he said. "He goes into practice and puts in the work to be who he is."

There's also another side to LeBron, Green said.

"He’s a big, big joker," he said. "He’s a very, very humble human, which people may not [believe] because of the position he’s in. He’s a people person. He clowns a lot, which makes him personable."

Going through open-heart surgery at age 25 only served to deepen his love and appreciation for basketball, Green said.

"It definitely did," he said. "That’s not to say I took basketball for granted before, but I also wouldn’t say I gave it everything.

"After the surgery, I definitely appreciate basketball, life in general, people to a higher degree. Because basketball was almost taken away from me, relationships were almost taken away from me."

While many grow up idolizing athletes, entertainers, etc., Green said he didn't need to look far to find his inspirations.

"Not to be cliché, but it’s definitely my dad … my parents," he said. "They both worked hard to put myself and my sister in the positions we’re in today. They gave us everything they had, and me and my sister just repay them by doing what we can for them at this point.

"My dad was definitely one to work multiple jobs, my mom worked multiple jobs, just to make sure we were taken care of. They did it."

Having his health, his family and playing well for and with guys he respects has only served to enhance Green's perspective on what he values most.

"Life … because of my past, and the things that I overcame," he said. "The fight that I had to endure to get back on the court — that’s something that no one can ever take away from me."

Like most of us, Green said the life lessons learned through age 31 would be hugely beneficial if he could talk to his 18-year-old self.

"Awww man … that list is long," he said. "For one, I would say just have more joy in everything, and to live every day like it’s the last.

"And I say that because when I was 25, I went through that heart surgery. Before that, you kind of procrastinate a lot as far as your everyday things, as far as talking on the phone, saying, ‘I love you’ to loved ones … saying, ‘I’ll put it off until tomorrow.’ I would definitely tell my 18-year-old self … ‘Tomorrow is never guaranteed.’"