Spurs Danny Green’s Journey To NBA Questioned His Future In League

Everyone dreams to one day play sports professionally. For the Spurs Danny Green, his journey through the NBA has been one that led to questions through his career.

Green sat down with Sports Illustrated’s Rohan Naokarni Friday and was asked questions from his love of snakes and to ones that involved his journey to the NBA and what that caused to his mental health.

This season Green has been struggling on the offensive side of the ball. Averaging 7.1 points per game and shooting a career-low 37 percent from the field, he may start feeling the pressure as he did earlier on his career.

From being cut from the Cleveland Cavaliers to making appearances in the developmental leagues, Green at times questioned if his play was good enough for him to make it in the league. He was asked about his journey in the league and what the toughest part was.

Probably being cut a couple times. Being in the D-League and overseas. I wasn’t sure if I would have another shot in this league. You practice twice a day overseas, you’re not getting paid. But staying at home for a couple months after being cut was probably the toughest time. Watching my friends play, watching guys I knew play on TV.

More from Air Alamo

• Spurs show remarkable poise against Bulls, unlike many fans
• Devin Vassell is the latest in the Spurs’ collection of silent assassins
• San Antonio Spurs: 5 Players to avoid in any LaMarcus Aldridge deal
• Is Gregg Popovich hiding Luka Samanic as a secret weapon?
• San Antonio Spurs News: More DeRozan trade talk from Chris Haynes

Being at the point where you were competing with friends to now wondering if you would ever make it back into the league can weigh in on ones confidence.

Confidence is the biggest thing. But my support system was really encouraging me to stay the course. I stayed confident in myself. My support system felt I belonged, and I felt that way as well. So I kept working, and luckily things panned out for me.

As many players that have come into the league and are not as successful as they thought, overseas has been kind to many ex NBA players. Green at his low point knew he could compete in basketball overseas, but that is not where he wanted to be.

I wasn’t reaching out or looking other places, but I was thinking at that point it was a possibility I couldn’t play in this league. I could play overseas or something like that. I knew I could compete in basketball, I just didn’t think it could have been in the NBA. Yeah, I’d say there was a point I thought I may not make it there. But timing is everything. I got the right timing and opportunity. Things fell into place. A lot of people don’t necessarily get the right timing or system to showcase their talents. Things worked out for me.

Green has been a key piece in San Antonio’s championship runs. Though his scoring is not where it was a year ago, his intensity on the defensive side of the ball gives the Spurs an advantage. Being noted as a 3-point marksmen, Green this season has hit 69 from beyond the arc shooting 35.2 percent.

Up next for Green and the Spurs (39-7), they hit the road to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on ABC Primetime.

Next: Spurs' Aldridge Named 2016 All-Star Reserve