Mavs' Josh Green 'Ready' For Australia's FIBA Match vs. Finland

Mavs wing Josh Green is ready to begin competition at the FIBA World Cup with Australia on Friday.

OKINAWA, Japan — On the first day of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Dallas Mavericks wing Josh Green will be competing with Australia in Japan. The first opponent on their schedule is NBA All-Star Lauri Markkanen and his Finland squad on Friday.

"I think going into it, we need to respect every team," Green told ESPN Australia when asked about facing Finland. "They're at the World Cup for a reason. 

"Finland's a great team," Green explained. "I think Lauri Markkanen is a great player, so we're going to take the same approach just as any other team and make sure we have a great game plan, which we do, and give it one hundred percent, and be ready to go."

While various injuries have limited Green's opportunities to gain live reps with his teammates during Australia's warmup matches, he's not concerned about it. He's focused on studying film to maximize his preparation.

"That's part of my game and whatnot is just making sure I'm not doing too much, but at the same, I'm an energy guy," Green said. "Coming into a game, I haven't gotten a lot of reps, but I've been watching a lot of film on the team and I know the areas that I can help and how I can get them going. 

"But I'm looking forward to it," Green continued. "I played my first game against South Sudan. I'm happy I got the cobwebs out of those games and now, I'm looking forward. I'll be ready to go."

Green will have a large role with Australia as he's set to start on the wing. His improved catch-and-shoot ability paired with his ability to use his explosiveness to get into the paint makes for an intriguing complement to the team's initiator Josh Green, as well as in part of small ball lineups amid losing Jock Landale to injury. 

The primary area where Australia will be relying on Green is his on-ball defense. He's routinely a highly active off-ball defender flying around the half-court making rotations and extra efforts, but he will often be needed to take on the toughest assignments.

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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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