Mavs' Josh Green Starts for Australia: 'Delly on Steroids!'

Mavs wing Josh Green is set to play a major role for the Australian national team at the FIBA World Cup in Japan.

Dallas Mavericks wing Josh Green is coming off a career-year averaging 9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Before the 2023-24 NBA season begins, he's primed to play a significant role for the Australian national team at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

On Thursday, Green participated in his first exhibition match after being sidelined with an elbow injury in what was an 88-67 victory over South Sudan in Melbourne. He was included in the starting lineup, finishing with five points, four, rebounds, and four assists in 27 minutes. 

Australia coach Brian Goorjian told reporters after Thursday's game that currently, the plan is for Green to start, while Matisse Thybulle, who the Mavs pursued in restricted free agency, will come off the bench. Green also had his on-ball defense compared to Matthew Dellavedova, but "on steroids."

"Defensively, it's totally different than Matisse," Australian national team coach Brian Goorjian said after Thursday's game. "Matisse is off the ball, you've got these long arms; he's switchable and he gets steals off the ball.

"[Green] is a bulldog on the ball, like Delly on steroids," Goorjian explained. "The ball pressure was incredible."

With Australia seemingly losing Jock Landale for the World Cup due to a left ankle injury, it will be all the more important for the team to embrace playing fast and being aggressive from the perimeter. Given Green's athleticism, he has an opportunity to flourish alongside an unselfish team that fits his style of play. 

"Looking at past Boomers rosters, I think we're a lot more versatile," Green told ESPN Australia. "We have a lot more guys who can run up and down the court. We have multiple ball-handlers who can bring the ball up. I think we're gonna play a more faster paced game than what we're probably used to playing, Boomers wise."

Green continued: "Faster pace means a lot more stuff. We'll play in transition, it's more fun to play; more fun to watch. It's a winning style of game. Everyone's unselfish. For me, it's coming in and being able to bring the same intensity.

“I don't want to lose so I'm gonna be competitive, play the same way I do in the NBA. I think we're gonna be a very defensive-minded team, and I think we have a lot of great players to be able to really go on a good run."

With Australia's offense being led by Josh Giddey as the main initiator, the team sees a major opportunity for Green to thrive next to him. A particular reason is due to the improvement Green's achieved in his perimeter shooting, who shot a single-season best 40.2 percent from 3-point range with the Mavs in 2022-23.

"Dallas has done a tremendous job with [his shot]," Goorjian said of Green. "That's a really big piece. ... It's something Josh [Giddey] is gonna like playing with, and then you've got Goulding in the background to add to that."

Green faces a favorable opportunity to take advantage of before he plays out a contract year with the Mavs. He has until Oct. 24 to sign an extension to remain in Dallas, or the team will risk allowing him to reach restricted free agency next summer. He recently expressed desire to remain with the team. 

"Honestly, I haven't really put too much thought into it," Green said of a potential contract extension."I've really just focused on [the national team]. Whatever happens kind of happens.

"Obviously, it's a cool feeling to be in that situation but, at the same time, I put so much work to be able to be in this position now, that you wanna continue to work," Green explained. "I hope it happens. I want to be in Dallas. I love Dallas. I love the fanbase, love the guys. To think I could be in Dallas long-term would be amazing."

Australia's first match in part of the FIBA World Cup is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 25 against Lauri Markkanen and Finland in Okinawa, Japan.

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Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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