Jeff Green at ease with new role as well as with Brad Stevens "criticism"

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

By Clint Corey

Although new Boston Celtic Head Coach Brad Stevens has been highly praiseful of the entire Celtic team this pre-season he did have one somewhat ambivalent remark with regards to Jeff Green yesterday:
“Jeff has had his ups and downs, but he’s been solid.”

Green playfully laughed off the quote for reporters demonstrating his evolving comfort in his new role as one of the team leaders. It's understandable if Green is going through a few growing pains considering how versatile Stevens is asking him to be. Green is often times going to be the focal point of The C's offense all the while playing the 2, 3 and 4 spots at different intervals throughout the long NBA season.

As Jay King from Masslive.com reported:
Stevens has already implemented a system in which multiple positions can initiate the offense, and that could help Green grab the basketball and take off in transition. He’s excelled in the open court in the past; that’s where his remaining flaws, like a lack of elite left-handed dribbling, tend to surrender to his strengths, like explosiveness and finishing ability.

This is a fascinating development because during the "Big Three" era The Celtics were primarily a half court team that would grind you down on the defensive end. Rebuild or no rebuild, Jeff Green coast to coast is enough to get any Celtic fan excited for the season tip-off.

Not to mention, the Rondo to Green combo in transition could become one of the most potent and electric in the league rivaling the likes of Chris Paul to Blake Griffin as well as Russell Westbrook to Kevin Durant (once both Rondo and Westbrook get back from injury).

Follow Clint on Twitter @coolhandc