Josh Green Talks Growth with Dallas Mavs: 'I Wouldn't Be Here Without Jason Kidd'

After having a slow start to the season, Dallas Mavericks fourth-year guard Josh Green has put together two good games in a row, and he credits his head coach for his NBA development.

Through the first 13 games of the season, Dallas Mavericks fourth-year guard Josh Green didn't live up to heightened expectations after signing a three-year $41 million contract extension.

However, the 23-year-old seems to have turned a corner after coming off of two solid performances against the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals in that span while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from deep. In the Mavs' clutch win over the Lakers on Wednesday, Green scored a season-high 15 points while being a +10 in 22 minutes off the bench.

Josh Green has improved every season since being selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2020 draft / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

“I think I’m just letting it come to me,” Green said. “When you look at our team, we have a very deep team. I think it’s selfish if I go out of my way and force shots or do things to get me in my rhythm. ... It’s a long season and I don’t really care what people have to say. We’ve had a great start to the season. I just want to make sure that I’m doing it the right way and finding my rhythm.”

Green has come a long way since he was taken with the No. 18 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. After not getting much playing time under former head coach Rick Carlisle, Green credits Jason Kidd for his consistent development over the last few years.

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“Coach Kidd’s been amazing for me,” Green said. “I wouldn’t be here today without him. He was able to give me my opportunity here in Dallas. ... He's really good for our young guys, and I mean I'm still young myself, but I'm excited to see the development of O-Max (Olivier-Maxence Prosper) and D-Live (Dereck Lively II) under Coach. He's a really good coach, but he also cares as a person. He's really helped me on the court and off the court."

Despite Green's early-season struggles, the Mavs have still managed to carve out a 10-5 record with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the way. The Mavs are currently fourth in the West, but if Green can continue to play at the level that got him his contract extension before the season began, their ceiling will be raised even higher.