TORONTO — It took 1,030 days, but Danny Green finally got his ring.
The Philadelphia 76ers forward, a key member of the Toronto Raptors’ exciting championship run in 2019, received a grand gift from former teammates Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam before Thursday’s game at Scotiabank Arena.
Green was greeted with a video tribute and a standing ovation as he placed his hand on his heart in thanks.
“I’ve always called him the glue guy on that team, and that’s a big deal,” Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said, hugging Green. “A veteran who has won a lot, a great professional, he can play… I don’t think he feels his best this season, but he always wants to go out and play and he loves to play. And he gives. The team brings a lot of winning qualities.”
The three-point specialist did not receive his ring until Thursday due to a number of factors.
Since his season with the Raptors, he has started 80 games, averaging 10.3 points and a career-high 45.5 percent from 3-point range. Green has played for three teams and been traded twice, and even won another championship, the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers.
Green was due to receive his ring when the Lakers visit him on March 24, 2020, but the league closed two weeks ago due to COVID-19.
Last season, when the Raptors were forced to move to Tampa, Florida for their home games due to the capacity of COVID-19 and border restrictions, Green said on his podcast that “everywhere except Scotiabank Arena.”
Thursday was Philadelphia’s second trip to Toronto this season, but Green missed the first on Dec. 28 because he followed COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Also, he and the Raptors agreed to push it back to April 7, as Toronto is experiencing a high number of COVID cases, so Scotiabank is allowing in a limited number of fans.
The nurse waited to see him on Thursday and said, “I find it more interesting.”
76ers head coach Doc Rivers said Green’s career was as a role player, “but he’s a star.”
“It’s not luck to win, Danny has been in the right place because they need him to be there,” Rivers said. “That’s one of the reasons we love him, and he’s been nice to us.”
Green and the Sixers will soon head north again; Toronto and Philadelphia could meet in the first round of the playoffs.
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