Milwaukee Bucks fans know just how overlooked AJ Green's defense is and how it led to a frustrating whistle for the third-year wing last season. Despite often playing good quality defense, Green wasn't given the benefit of the doubt and whistled for plenty of sometimes questionable fouls. Heading into year four, Green must continue his ascension as a defender and cut back on the fouls.
Bucks need AJ Green to grow on defense, trim fouls
Last season, Green tallied the third-most personal fouls on the Milwaukee Bucks despite logging the sixth-most minutes. In all fairness, plenty of those were earned. While Green took strides on defense, he certainly wasn't perfect. Yet, there were countless possessions where it appeared Green played a matchup incredibly well, only for them to get bailed out with a whistle.
One of the reasons Green often got called was because he was matched up with bigger forwards and looked undersized at just 6-foot-4. Yet, his strength is quietly one of his greatest advantages, as that sturdy build allows him to hold his own against these players rather than be taken advantage of. In the NBA Playoffs, Pacers forwards shot just 42.1 percent with Green as their primary defender.
He's more than capable of holding his own.
There is no clear-cut fix to help Green earn a better whistle, so all he can do is continue to play strong defense and build up his reputation on that end. Respect will come in time. The guard is about to take on the most prominent defensive role of his career, so the sample size will be much larger. Bucks fans know what he brings, but it's time for the rest of the NBA, including the officials, to learn about Green.
Green earning respect on defense would only fuel his ongoing breakout. He's already one of the best long-range shooters in the NBA; if he can keep that up while playing stout defense, the sky will be the limit for how much he can help the Milwaukee Bucks. Even with the two parties unable to come to terms on an extension right now, the Bucks have made it clear how much they believe in him.
If the two sides remain apart on extension talks and Green enters the season without a new contract, the young guard showing growth on defense could drive up his price with each game.
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