Both played about 14 minutes a game. Green averaged 9.5pts/4/1rbs/1.0 assists, Strus 5.1/2.0/1.5. Green also shot 80% from the field. I'm not sure how you can argue that their value was similar. Watching some of the games gave me a similar impression.
Because the team production with each on the court was similar and Strus shot 42% from 3. I doubt either is a guy who get real NBA minutes, but a floor stretching player is very important to an offense beyond just the points he scored, they improve the whole offense. Green shot 80% because he almost exclusively dunked the ball, since he doesn't have much of a jumper.
I can see the argument that his defense is more likely to translate than Strus', though I thought Strus was generally fine on that end, he can't control elite athletes, but neither can Green really, positional defending and switching both were decent. On the flip side I'd argue Strus' offense is far more likely to translate vs real competition, since easy dunks are harder to come by than 3s.
I'm fine with Green making it, but I didn't think he was a real standout in pre-season (SL is less than worthless), he was probably a bit better, but it's arguable that Strus showed more important skills.
Someone mentioned it up thread. When it comes to the last few roster spots defense becomes more relevant. Strus couldn't really stay in front of anyone in preseason or SL.
As a project, I agree with those that say Strus makes more sense because of age, 3pt shooting off screens, shooting w/ Scal, etc. But we have several young projects (Fall, Langford, Waters and TL still) at different stages of development already. Having a guy, like Green, that won't be overwhelmed athletically on the court in the case of an emergency is the right move IMO.
SSS and all but the results were not very similar. Green scored more in SL and preseason (in less minutes). In a tight game against Charlotte Green came in and was the difference in winning that game. Strus did zip in that game. Strus showed up when the Celts were ahead by 30 in a blowout against Cleveland. Green has much more professional experience (overseas), so it wasn't really a fair fight. Greens dunks were impressive but that's never going to be a difference-maker for me. My bias is towards better defensive players. Strus is not capable of guarding an NBA wing on the perimeter or down low at the moment. He's a project with no professional experience, and we have plenty of those at the moment.
I generally disagree that defense becomes more important for the 15th man, I think having an elite skill is most important. I don't think either of these guys do, but Strus' shooting and Green's athleticism are the closest.
As for similar value... I mean it's a tiny sample (under 60 minutes each over 4 games) but they were only a few points apart in terms of Ortg and Drtg, both had similar on-off spreads,
I'd say Green was better, but it wasn't a huge margin, it really came down to whether they wanted to keep the explosive athlete, or the shooter.