Kenneth Faried (left) and Danny Green pose for pictures during their Media Availability on Thursday at Marriott Hotel. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net
They ultimately carved their niche as reliable players in the NBA, but for San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green and Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, establishing a career in the toughest basketball league in the world did not come without hardship.
Both players, who are in Manila for the NBA 3x event at Mall of Asia starting Friday, were under the radar when they entered the NBA and needed to earn their minutes by proving themselves.
A second round pick in 2009, Green had to toil in the NBA Developmental League, before landing a roster spot with the San Antonio Spurs and eventually playing a key role for the franchise on its way to an NBA title in 2014.
Faried was picked late in the first round of the draft five years ago by the Denver Nuggets, but his boundless energy and work ethic became a hallmark of his game and landed him a spot in the United States squad that won gold in the Fiba World Cup last year.
“I feel blessed doing what I love for a career,” said Faried who earned the moniker “Manimal” for his gung-ho playing style.
“My mentality is to make the most out of everyday, out of each opportunity. That’s why I come out and prove myself everyday,” added Faried.
Faried said he took inspiration from the careers of NBA greats like Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley and Shawn Kemp.
“In some way, I patterned my game to their playing style,” Faried said.
Green, who once held the NBA Finals record for most triples with 27 makes in the 2013 championship series against the LeBron James-Miami Heat, signed a four-year $45 million deal to stay with the Spurs last July.
But he can’t help but look back at the times when he struggled to even land a roster spot in the league.
“It’s been a roller-coaster ride,” said the 6-foot-5 Green of his career. “I remember being in Reno (playing in the D-League), having to get my own ice, doing my laundry and getting food, having to take care of my body to starting for the Spurs and winning a championship. Those times make me value the career that I have now even more.”