NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES : Extra Playoff Incentive : Lakers’ Green Can Improve His Market Value If He Plays Well Against Pistons

A crew from the 700 Club recently interviewed Laker forward A. C. Green. That should not be confused with the $700,000 club, that not-very-exclusive National Basketball Assn. fraternity of which Green still is not a member.

The interviewers from this syndicated Christian television show talked to Green about his faith. They did not discuss Green’s $268,750 salary, believed to be the third-lowest among the league’s starting power forwards, or the possibility of Green earning much more than that on the free-agent market this summer.

Green has been asked such questions repeatedly, but responds in generalities about finally getting a lucrative contract after four NBA seasons.

However, Green’s market value undoubtedly would rise if his play in the NBA championship series were to improve.

In Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons, Green got into early foul trouble and finished with only eight points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes. Playing slightly better in Game 2 on Thursday night, he had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Facing the possibility that both Magic Johnson and Byron Scott will miss Game 3 on Sunday at the Forum, the Lakers will need more scoring from Green, who usually provides mostly rebounding and defense.

But with each Laker loss to the Pistons, Green’s off-season career decisions loom closer. “I have recently discussed the situation with my attorney . . . but we’re not discussing anything with the team, not during the playoffs,” Green said. “That will be a big priority. But this is the biggest time of the year--the finals--for the team, and I need to be completely into what’s going on.”

A few months ago, Green had hoped to have a new Laker contract signed and out of the way by playoff time. The Lakers reportedly had made a $1-million offer, but Green balked at signing.

Green was close to an agreement, but the death of Larry Fleisher, Green’s agent, resulted in a suspension of talks with Laker General Manager Jerry West until after the playoffs. By that time, though, the 26 other teams will have a shot at signing Green, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet.

It appears certain that the Lakers will exercise their right of first refusal and match any offer. Under the new players’ agreement, however, Green could sign for one season with the Lakers, then become a free agent without compensation after next season.

All these money matters seemingly make Green uncomfortable. He is finding himself torn between the lure of big money and his desire to live a simple, uncomplicated life in which his religion plays a big part.

“I’ve lived most of my life without an enormous amount of money,” Green said. “I was the happiest kind of person you could find because I was secure inside myself. My faith in Jesus, for one. And I have the love of my family. I have a lot of other things that make me happy. So, when people say money makes you happy, I say, ‘Maybe for you, but to me, I’m very happy with myself.’

“Even being in the league four years now, I’ve made more than I ever had in my life. I still don’t see any changes or difference. It hasn’t done anything to me or for me. Well, I have been able to help my family in a way I never could before, and I support different things inside my church. But it’s nothing new and great to me.”

As a rookie in 1985, Green signed a four-year contract that paid him $128,750 as a rookie, $133,000 in 1986-87, $218,000 last season and $268,750 this season.

Green had used another agent, a friend, to negotiate the deal. The story goes that, at the time of the negotiations, West saw the inequity and advised Green not to sign.

He did anyway. If Green has had regrets, he has not expressed them. He did not seek renegotiation and has not made any of his salary demands public. It simply is not his style.

“The only reason why I didn’t go in to renegotiate or complain about what I was making--knowing what other people make--was mainly because I gave my word when I signed,” Green said. “That’s something that’s very important to me--giving my word. The Bible says, ‘A good name is better to be desired than great riches.’ I believe that.

“(The Lakers) didn’t take advantage of me. They didn’t put a gun to my head and say, ‘Sign this contract.’ It was a mutual agreement. That was the way it was. I wasn’t going to create a scene over something I was involved in the whole time.”

Once the season is over and Green selects another agent, he said he will be personally involved in the negotiations and this time will not sign until he receives what he believes is fair market value.

“I was involved last time, but I didn’t know as much as I do now,” said Green, 26. “It was just a lack of knowledge in finances and the (NBA). It’ll be different this time.”

This time, Green has established himself as one of the league’s better power forwards. Not needed as a primary scorer on a team with Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Byron Scott, Green still averaged a career-high 13.3 points this season. He also has led the Lakers in rebounding the past three seasons, and was a second-team All-NBA defensive team selection in a poll of coaches.

A native of Portland, Ore., Green said he definitely would not mind playing for the Trail Blazers, should talks break down with the Lakers or should he be involved in a long-rumored trade involving Portland center Sam Bowie.

“Home is home,” Green said. “It’d be great. But I don’t know. It’s been a great time and experience for me with this team and organization as a player and person. I don’t know what it’d be like on another team.

“But when the time comes, I’ll think about all that stuff. My decision will be thought out. It won’t be made in haste. But I don’t need to think about it right now.”

Laker Notes

Detroit guard Isiah Thomas has read the gloomy reports on Magic Johnson and Byron Scott but he made this prediction before the Pistons’ practice at Loyola Marymount Friday afternoon: “I expect to see both of them Sunday. If (Johnson) can play, he will play. You got to consider that he is the most valuable player, so half of him is like a regular one of us.” . . . Chuck Daly, the Pistons’ coach, said he is preparing his game plan as if the Lakers had no injuries. “We have to go on the basis that one or both of them is going to show up,” Daly said. “Forty-eight hours is a long time. Isiah, last year with that ankle (sprain), recovered in less time and at least gave us a good half.”

Piston center Bill Laimbeer suffered from a pinched nerve in his neck that he said made his right arm go numb in Game 2. Laimbeer, however, said he will not miss Game 3. “I can run, rebound and play defense,” Laimbeer said. “But I couldn’t shoot. In warmups, I took two 15-foot shots and both came about six feet short. My arm felt dead.” Laimbeer played only 14 minutes and made one of three shots. . . . Forward Dennis Rodman has been bothered by back spasms, but he said they will not keep him out of the lineup.