Kevin Durant's return from injury 'inspires' Nets' Jeff Green: 'His leadership is amazing'

Signed officially Nov. 23 by the Nets, who reportedly reached an agreement on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum two days earlier, forward Jeff Green is new to Brooklyn but a known commodity in the NBA.

As a rookie alongside Kevin Durant on the Seattle Supersonics in 2007-08, Green reunites with the fellow 14th-year pro on a championship-contending Nets team.

Green looked forward to teaming back up with Durant last Thursday. Asked again Wednesday about Durant, specifically the return from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, Green was candid.

"To answer your last question, it definitely inspires, to see him back here and the form before he got hurt -- it's definitely inspiring," Green said. "After practice, me, him and (forward) Taurean (Prince) are getting workouts in. And me, knowing him personally, the way I do, I'm happy to see him back doing what he loves in good health, moving out on the floor. So it's definitely inspiring to see.

"His leadership is amazing. He's a guy who goes out there and leads by example. I believe in an interview he said he doesn't do drills half-ass. He goes out there and he's giving it all that he has. And when you have a guy of his talent, his stature in the NBA going out there and playing as hard as he is, it's definitely inspiring. So I'm glad to see him back on there floor. I'm glad I don't have to guard him on a nightly basis during games. It's mostly in practice. It doesn't get filmed, so I'm happy to see my brother back out there."

As a primary defender against Durant in the past, Green sees him returning to form in his new role with Brooklyn. Green shared insight into Durant's progress, including a versatile positioning on the floor.

"We haven't done situational moments in practice to which our lineups are staggered that way, but through our offense, it's pretty much knowing every position," Green said. "So you're never going to be in the same spot all the time. So I would say that's where the Swiss Army Knife position that Kevin has been playing is going to be used mostly. I mean, I can't give you 100% answer on that because I'm not the coach.

"But as for me noticing in practice, with our versatility, being who we are, guys are going to be in multiple positions, whether that's being in a quote-unquote five position or a point guard position. So it's going to be used for a lot of our guys. I'm pretty sure it's going to be used heavy with Kevin, with the way he plays."