Going into the 2023-24 NBA season, most Milwaukee Bucks fans thought MarJon Beauchamp or Andre Jackson Jr. would be the best. the young player most likely to see playing time.
Both earned relatively consistent minutes for Milwaukee before the midseason coaching change to bring in Doc Rivers, but since then it’s been AJ Green who has taken center stage. Since Rivers took over as head coach, Green has averaged the 10th fastest time on the list, surpassing Beauchamp (17th) and Jackson (15th).
Green has logged 13.7 minutes per game since Jan. 29, but his role remains hectic from game to game. Some nights – like a recent victory against the LA Clippers, where he played the entire fourth quarter – the double guard plays a lot. Other evenings he will see for a few minutes before going out. Rivers has experimented with Green, but it’s time to give him a bigger role permanently.
In 14 appearances since Rivers began coaching, Green has averaged 6.4 points (seventh on the team) while shooting 40.7% from three (third best on the team, behind Khris Middleton and… .Giannis Antetokounmpo). Every time he steps on the court, Green provides deadly spacing with his unlimited range, and he can score points quickly.
Green’s catch-and-shoot ability served him particularly well in this sequence. In these 14 matches, he draws 20 out of 47 (42.6 percent) from long range on catch and shoot attempts, the best percentage on the Bucks among players to attempt at least 10 3-pointers. A player with this type of shot would thrive on consistent looks from Milwaukee stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Although he is primarily known for his marksmanship, Green has also recently stepped up his defensive efforts, rightfully attracting attention. Although the guard won’t be considered for All-Defensive honors at season’s end, he put forth a tremendous effort, using his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame to harass opponents to the best of his ability .
In his second season, the 24-year-old is still raw, but he can’t evolve without being thrown into the fire. That’s exactly what happened in Milwaukee’s aforementioned comeback against the LA Clippers. After playing 10 minutes in the first three quarters combined, Green played the entire fourth quarter, scoring six points, dishing out three assists and hitting an incredibly efficient triple late in the game.
AJ Green: Built for the moment pic.twitter.com/VWCAVDJyCq
– Shane Young (@YoungNBA) March 5, 2024
Considering he played Green for 12 straight minutes in a close game against a contender, Rivers clearly believes in the second-year guard. Since taking over midseason, it’s felt like Rivers relied primarily on veterans, but Green is the only player to challenge that notion. In the latter part of the season, Rivers should consider a bigger opportunity at sharpshooter.
Not only has Green started to gain the trust of the coaching staff, but it appears the players are buying into him as well. On the “Pat Bev Pod,” host and Bucks guard Patrick Beverley raved about what he’s seen from Green since his arrival at the 2024 NBA trade deadline, emphasizing how the 24 has been big lately.
“AJ Green. I love him… We rally against the Chicago Bulls, I say, ‘Yeah, Doc, before we finish, AJ, man, you won us this game. Straight up. You won us this game .’ ” OK cool. Fast forward, we’re playing the Clippers. He won this match for us… I’m so happy for him. “
AJ Green is always ready for the moment! pic.twitter.com/c2sukhNyG3
-Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) March 7, 2024
With so much support around him, Green is confident every time he steps on the floor, as evidenced by his long-range shot against the Clippers. That confidence should only continue to rise if he gets more minutes for the Milwaukee Bucks, especially in big game situations.
If Green gets more minutes, others will have to see less. It’s difficult to piece together the entire rotation with Khris Middleton currently out, but two names Green should siphon minutes from are Pat Connaughton and Danilo Gallinari. Connaughton actually has it’s been okay lately, but there’s an argument that Green could still get some minutes. Gallinari struggled a lot.
Kudos to AJ Green for enjoying a slight increase in playing time of late. If his minutes continue to increase and he continues to play well on both sides of the basketball, he could end up being an X-factor for the Milwaukee Bucks down the stretch.
Stay tuned for more analysis on the Milwaukee Bucks.
