Reserve guard Willie Green has started 50 games for the Clippers this season but has seemed like the forgotten man when Chauncey Billups returned for good from his Achilles’ tendon rehab.
But Green has never forgotten how to stay prepared, and back in the starting lineup Wednesday, he scored 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting in 22 minutes. It was his first start in more than a month.
“It’s tough when you’ve been out of the lineup a while,” Green said. “I came here because of the bigger picture. I still believe in this team.”
The belief is mutual.
“That’s him. I expect nothing less from Willie,” Chris Paul said. “I didn’t know Willie was starting until we walked out before the game and did our walk-through, but it’s not like I looked at Willie and said ‘Man, I hope Willie is ready.’ Willie’s always ready regardless of the situation. He’s not going to pout, he’s not going to badmouth, he’s not going to say ‘Why didn’t you play me last night?’ Willie’s always ready to go.”