This story starts when Gerald Green was back in the sixth grade. He had his mother’s class ring on when he tried to dunk on a makeshift rim (what, you couldn’t dunk in sixth grade?). He went up but the ring — on the ring finger of his right hand — caught on a nail and ripped his finger down to the bone and created other problems. Doctors said the only option was amputation near the middle knuckle.
Green still made it to the show but didn’t feel comfortable talking about his hand when he came into the league. Not that it really slowed him down. The man won the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk contest and his athletic, high-flying game won him fans at every stop. He’s now a key part of the Suns rotation, has rounded out his game, and is just more comfortable with himself as an NBA player.
So the Suns are going to pay tribute to him soon with this foam hand giveaway.
Yes, that is serious.
And I think it’s great. If Green is comfortable with this it is an inspirational story of overcoming obstacles to reach your dreams. A lot of guys would have shelved their NBA dreams the day he lost a finger, but Green has become a solid, popular NBA player.
Plus, those are the best foam hands ever. Well done, Suns.
