Thursday, December 9, 2010

Green finding new ways to score

49ers guard Derrio Green's shooting slump continues this season, but he's been trying to different things on the floor to shake himself out of it.

But Green also wasn't a great shooter for Charlotte last season, his first with the 49ers after transferring from Gulf Coast (Fla.) Community College.

Green is making 30.6 percent of his shots (25.8 from 3-point range), down significantly from his 36.5 percent mark (31.3 from 3) last season. He's averaging 11.9 points this season after averaging 13.1 as a sophomore.

Green has been mixing up his game, driving to the basket a lot and getting to the foul line 4.5 times per game (up from 3.1 last season). Green was 2 for 10 (1 for 5 from 3-point ranger) and went to the line six times in a victory against Winthrop on Tuesday.

"When people know you're not just a catch and shoot guy, the other team can put that on the scouting report that you're not in the category of just a shooter," 49ers coach Alan Major said. "We do this with all our players, but we want to find out what Derrio's strength is and expand it.

"We'd like to make him more of a complete guard, where he can handle the ball, pull up, play mid-range, pass, drive and kick as well. That's in addition to him making open shots, which is his strength. He's done a nice job of embracing what we're asking him to do. If he can get to the (foul) line six times a game, I'd be happy with that."

With Charlotte's depth problems in the backcourt, Green is averaging 36.7 minutes per game, seventh most in the Atlantic 10 (point guard Jamar Briscoe's 35.9 are eighth most in the league). He plays the point when Briscoe is out of the game.

"(Green) has logged a lot of minutes in a short period of time," said Major. "To his credit, he's battled."

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"If he can get to the (foul) line six times a game, I'd be happy with that."

Yes! I like coach Major's philosophy. Now I want to see it happen.

Anonymous said...

I am glad to see that someone is "embracing" what the coaching staff is asking of them. I wish EVERYONE would buy in. We would be a much better TEAM.