点击查看原文：Former Spurs guard Danny Green retiring after 15 seasons in NBA

Former Spurs guard Danny Green retiring after 15 seasons in NBA

Danny Green #4 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts against the Miami Heat during Game Four of the 2014 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2014 in Miami, Florida.

Danny Green went from a second-round pick who was twice waived in his first two years in the NBA to one of the Spurs’ greatest diamond-in-the-rough success stories, blossoming in San Antonio as a dependable 3-and-D wing who helped the franchise win its fifth NBA title in 2014. And after playing 15 seasons in a league that once seemed to disregard him, the 37-year-old three-time champion has decided to retire.

"I never imagined writing this letter, even though I knew this day would eventually come,” Green said in a retirement letter posted to his social media accounts. “My life has revolved around this game, taking me all over the world and introducing me to incredible people. It’s been one helluva journey that I’m immensely proud of, and I couldn’t have achieved it without he support of so many.”

pic.twitter.com/HVe4VopYtu

— Danny Green (@ DGreen_14) October 10, 2024

Green’s early years after leaving UNC in 2009 were rife with setbacks. He was waived by Cleveland after his rookie year and by San Antonio following a one-week stint in November 2010, then rejoined the Spurs in 2011 before the lockout led him to KK Union Olimpija in Slovenia as the NBA and NBPA locked horns over a new collective bargaining agreement.

Once the dust settled and the compacted season finally began in late December 2011, it was clear Green had found a long-term home. He went on to appear in 520 regular-season games with 464 starts from 2011 to 2018 and hit more 3-pointers (959) in Spurs garb than anyone not named Manu Ginobili (1,495) or Patty Mills (1,171). Long-known as a switchable pest on the other side of the ball, Green also earned a nod to the All-Defensive second team in 2016-17.

The 6-foot-6 marksman made for an ideal member of the “beautiful game” Spurs during their exhilarating run through the 2014 playoffs, which culminated with a five-game win over LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat in the Finals. Green averaged 9.2 points, shot 51.3% from the field and drilled 9-of-20 3s against Miami in that series.

Though he was traded with Kawhi Leonard to Toronto in July 2018, Green still ranks sixth on the Spurs’ all-time list in playoff appearances (100) and is one of just six to make at least 90 starts (94) in silver and black. He trails only Manu Ginobili (324) in postseason 3-pointers (191) while also ranking third in blocks (85), sixth in steals (101), eight in points (843), ninth in minutes (2,501) and 10th in rebounds (323).

As he did in San Antonio, Green would help Toronto win its first NBA title in 2019 and claim a third ring as the Lakers’ starting shooting guard in 2020. He bounced from Philadelphia (2020-22) to Memphis (2022-23) to Cleveland (2022-23) to Philly (2023-24) again before the 76ers waived him last November.

Now Green is ready for the next stage in his life, which includes hosting the “Inside the Green Room” podcast launched back in 2018.

“To all my friends, family coaches, and teammates from high school, college, and the pros; to my wife and little one, who have pushed me to be not only a great player but a better person each day," Green said. "I hope I make you proud as I hang up this jersey and sneakers and officially step away from the game.

“I’m excited for the next chapter and look forward to conquering new challenges.”

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, shown here discussing a play with Danny Green in 2014 Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Spurs’ Danny Green, Tony Parker and Patty Mills celebrate after Game 1 of the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat on June 6, 2013 at American Airlines Arena in Miami. The Spurs won 92-88.

San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green goes for two against Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green during the first half in game four of the Western Conference Finals at the AT&T Center, Monday, May 22, 2017.

Spurs’ Danny Green (14) shoots a three against Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) in Game 4 on the Western Conference Finals at the AT&T Center on Monday, May 22, 2017. (Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green, Gregg Popovich and the Spurs will face the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

Spurs’ Danny Green (14) and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich walk back to the locker room after defeating the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at the Toyota Center on Thursday, May 11, 2017. Spurs defeated the Rockets, 114-75, to win the series and advance to the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors. (Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Tony Parker watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat from the bench Tuesday June 10, 2014 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla.

A knee injury has kept Danny Green from playing with the Grizzlies, but he’s poised to soon help another title contender.