“This is where it all started,” he said. “This is the team that gave me a chance in this building. I scored my first NBA basket in this building. So it couldn’t be better than doing it here.”
Celtics fans may remember Green for his jumping ability. He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2007.
On Sunday, it was Green’s long-range shooting that made the difference, sinking six three-pointers and feeling like his time had come to shine on the championship stage.
“This is my time,” he said. “I’m made for this. I always have been. I was a local kid, didn’t know anything, didn’t have any support growing up, but I always had confidence. I have nine fingers and I always thought I was going to be an NBA player. I always had confidence.”
The championship game was the finale of a 3-on-3 tripleheader during the Big 3 Championship Weekend.
Here are five more interesting things we saw during the event:
▪ Gillie Da Kid is MVP of a celebrity game three times in a row
Rapper Gillie Da Kid, co-host of the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, was named MVP of the celebrity game for the third time.
Gillie unleashed a barrage of 3-pointers and mid-range shots to help his team to a 50-30 victory.
The back of his jersey read “Damian Gillard,” a reference to Bucks star Damian Lillard.
The celebrity game’s MVP trophy is shaped like a backboard with a ring attached to it.
▪ Ty Law makes an appearance
The Hall of Fame cornerback made a brief appearance in the celebrity game.
Law wore a bucket hat during the game. Matt James, who starred in the 25th season of The Bachelor, played in a hoodie under his jersey.
Law isn’t the only former Patriots player to appear in the Big3 celebrity game. Rob Gronkowski played in the inaugural edition in 2022.
▪ A gentle reverse by Flau’Jae Johnson
LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson was one of two women to compete in the celebrity game, along with former Harlem Globetrotter Briana Green.
Johnson passed Green at the baseline and sank a clean reverse layup that sent her teammates into high spirits.
The 5-foot-10 defender was a second-team All-SEC selection in her sophomore season last year and helped lead LSU to the Elite Eight.
▪ 4-point throws
One of the unique aspects of the Big3 game is the 4-point shot.
There are three 4-point circles 30 feet from the ring, and a throw in which any part of a player’s body touches the circle is worth 4 points.
There were no 4-point shots in the championship game, but there were two in the All-Star game. Jeremy Pargo of Team BIG scored one and Kevin Murphy of Team 3 scored the other.
▪ Video tribute for Scalabrine
A video tribute to Brian Scalabrine from NBC Sports Boston was shown on the big screen.
The video showed his Celtics highlights and Scalabrine waved to the crowd afterwards.
Scalabrine played in the Big3 during the 2021 season and was captain of the Ball Hogs.
Khari Thompson can be reached at [email protected].
