Rivers on D&C: Green 'has to play better'

Celtics coach Doc Rivers made his weekly appearance on the  Dennis & Callahan Show on Thursday, the morning after a 100-94 overtime win over the Wizards. The Celtics struggled at times against a Wizards team that many consider to be among the weakest in the Eastern Conference and stand at 2-2 after the victory. Rivers was asked to grade the performance of his team to date in this young season.

"We're just inconsistent," Rivers said. "It's not like you're upset, you just want to do better. It's going to take time, as I keep saying we are a work in progress. There are things that you like, slowly, but we are starting things out better the last two games and then we are kind of falling back into bad habits that we have to get out of." 

Jeff Green played 22 minutes on Wednesday, scoring six points with two rebounds. Green has been inconsistent through four games this season, and Rivers acknowledged that Green needs to improve his play off the bench for the Celtics. 

"Jeff's not ever going to show you intensity even though he may have it, if you know what I'm saying," Rivers said. "He's a poker-faced player, you're just not going to get that out of him. What you want to get out of him is great play, and he has to play better, there's no doubt about that. He's proven in stretches that he can really play, and play well, and he did that in the preseason. So far in the regular season he hasn't done that and that's what we need him to do."

Green's upside has been a topic of discussion since he was dealt to the Celtics from the Thunder in February 2011. Rivers was asked what kind of player Green could be for this team in 2012-13.

"Really good, whatever that means," Rivers said. "Really, really good. The question for Jeff is, is he the guy who can give you 20 points a night, 18 points a night? It's in him, from what we've seen ability-wise. But you have the ability and the mental ability, and that's what we'll find out if the other part is in him."

To hear the interview click on the Dennis & Callahan audio on demand page [1]. For more Celtics news visit weei.com/celtics [2].