Danny Green recently reflected on his career and shared that he believes he could have been a “watered-down version of Klay Thompson,” on the ‘Above The Rim with DH 12’ podcast, Green carved out a successful 15-year career in the NBA, winning three championships and being regarded as one of the league’s top “three-and-D” players. While Green may not have been a traditional star, he sees a pathway in his career that could have mirrored Thompson’s style—one of the best two-way shooting guards in NBA history.
“I wouldn’t say a star but I could have been a super role player. I could have been a watered-down version of Klay Thompson. Klay is very good at what he does. It’s not easy just being that guy, being in that role.” (56:00)
Green’s claim isn’t far-fetched. Throughout his time in the NBA, he embodied many of the same qualities that have made Thompson a household name. Both players are elite shooters from beyond the arc, specializing in defense, and understand spacing and movement within team systems.
Thompson, a five-time All-Star with four NBA championships, has made a career out of his lightning-quick release and ability to catch fire from three, while also taking on tough defensive assignments. Green sees these qualities within himself, albeit in a more limited form, acknowledging that he could have been a “super role player” by following Thompson’s blueprint.
Green’s path in the league wasn’t an easy one. Drafted in the second round by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009, he struggled to secure a spot on the team and was waived twice within his first two seasons. His career took a turn when he joined the San Antonio Spurs, where he became a critical part of their rotation under Gregg Popovich.
Popovich lauded Green for his resilience and his commitment to “pounding the rock,” a Spurs mantra that emphasizes perseverance and improvement. Over time, Green evolved into one of the league’s best role players, serving as a pivotal contributor to the Spurs’ 2014 championship and later winning titles with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Unlike Thompson, who has been a key offensive focal point for the Golden State Warriors, Green never had a role that allowed him to be a primary scorer. Instead, he specialized in corner threes, spot-up shooting, and playing elite perimeter defense. These are traits Thompson has also mastered but at a superstar level.
Green often played a supporting role, which may have limited his offensive freedom, but his skill set was valued in every team he joined. It’s easy to see how, with a different role, he could have leaned even further into the “Klay Thompson” archetype—a knockdown shooter with the ability to heat up quickly and impact both ends of the court.
Green’s statement isn’t just about missed opportunities; it reflects his belief in his own potential as a player who could contribute more if given the chance. He has acknowledged that if the Lakers team he was part of in 2020 had stayed together, they would have “won one more championship.”
In his eyes, that Lakers team had the chemistry, talent, and depth necessary to maintain a championship dynasty, and Green himself could have played an even more significant role. But roster changes and the unpredictable nature of the NBA interrupted that possibility.
Thompson has established himself as one of the premier sharpshooters and two-way players in NBA history. Over his career, he has averaged 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting an impressive 45.3% from the field and 41.3% from beyond the arc.
Klay’s achievements are as remarkable as his stats: he’s a four-time NBA Champion, five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA Third Team selection, and has earned an All-Defensive Second Team nod. Currently, Klay ranks 6th on the all-time three-pointers made list, with 2,492 career triples—a testament to his elite shooting prowess and consistency.
On the other hand, Green has built a solid reputation as a reliable 3-and-D player. Averaging 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over his career, Green has shot 42.1% from the field and 40.0% from deep, proving his worth as a sharpshooter and perimeter defender.
With an All-Defensive Second Team selection to his name, Green has shown he’s more than just a shooter. Ranking 43rd all-time in three-pointers made, with 1,577 triples, he stands as one of the league’s top contributors from beyond the arc.
Looking back, Green’s accomplishments are impressive, and his career is a testament to perseverance, adaptation, and self-belief. While he may not have had the spotlight of a Klay Thompson, his contributions were invaluable in every title run he was part of. His remarks highlight how, even as a role player, his impact was substantial, and in another timeline, he might have indeed been a “watered-down version” of one of the league’s greatest shooters.
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