The Nuggets (1-3) lost leading-scorer Quincy Miller, who had averaged 18.7 points per game in the three previous contests, to a right ankle sprain 9 minutes into the game Wednesday, and despite the best efforts of Green, who had a team-high 17 points, and 2014 first rounder Gary Harris who had 15, Denver was unable to overcome a poor shooting night. The Nuggets chucked it up from deep, hitting only 6-of-22 3-point shots (27%) and only 27-of-73 from the floor (37%), many of them jump shots.
While the team has been eliminated from the tournament portion, they will still participate in their lone remaining game, a 6:30 PM ET match up with the Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League team, which is also 1-3 in Summer League action so far.
Green has been among the best players on the team so far in the competition, averaging 15.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists to 1.5 turnovers, and 1.2 steals per game in the competition. He also sports a 14.5 PIE (Player Impact Estimate), tied for the team lead with forward Jerrelle Benimon, who has only played in two games. The PIE is designed to measure a player's overall statistical contribution against the total statistics in games they play in. As a guide, Lebron James and Kevin Durant are the only two players in the NBA who are above 20 in PIE.
Green is fighting for a roster spot with the team, after missing out last year and being asked to play in Europe for Montepaschi Siena in the Italian League. He was the No. 46 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, and was acquired by the Nuggets in a draft night trade with the Utah Jazz.
As always, we'll continue to cover the situation, and will have a post in the next few days detailing Erick's chances of making the 2014 Nuggets' roster once the Summer League action concludes. For that post and all things Virginia Tech basketball, Gobbler Country is the place to be.