retirement on his own show<\/a>, Green explained that history dated back more than a decade before either reached the NBA.<\/p>\n“Taj Gibson, along with DeMar DeRozan, I ended their college careers. They were at USC. I was at Michigan State. I was a freshman,” Green said. “I had to guard Taj more than I probably would have in that game. I gave that brother fits.” <\/p>\n
The matchup came in the 2009 NCAA Tournament, when Green’s Spartans eliminated Gibson and DeRozan’s Trojans.<\/p>\n
According to Green, that college performance left a lasting impression on Gibson once both reached the league. <\/p>\n
“I think once I got to the NBA, he had this inside anger, vendetta towards me,” Green said. “And if you know Taj, Taj’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. It’s like a switch flips.”<\/p>\n
Green didn’t hold back describing just how much trouble Gibson gave him at the NBA level. <\/p>\n
“He’s one of my toughest guards that I’ve ever had to deal with in my career,” Green said. “I asked Jermaine O’Neal, J.O., please switch with me. I’m going to go guard Joakim Noah, you please guard Taj Gibson. I cannot get a stop.”<\/p>\n
It’s not the first time Green has made this admission, either. Back in 2022, when asked which non-star gave him the most trouble throughout his career, Green immediately pointed to Gibson, recalling the same freshman-year.<\/p>\n
Green closed his tribute on a warm note despite the history. He thanked Gibson for the battles and wished him well in retirement. <\/p>\n
“So needless to say, Taj, congrats on a great career. It was a pleasure to compete against you,” Green said. “I wish you didn’t have that little vendetta against me from college and bust my ass in the NBA, but happens to the best of them, big dog. Appreciate you, man. Cheers to an incredible retirement, brother.”<\/p>\n
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Gibson will return to the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach on first-year head coach Tiago Splitter’s staff. He is expected to work directly with the Bulls’ young frontcourt.<\/p>\n