Over the years, the Milwaukee Bucks have consistently sought a role player with a specific skill set revolving around 3-point shooting.
To better space the floor around their paint-dominant star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have consistently added at least one perimeter specialist to their roster. Since the 2019-20 NBA season, Kyle Korver, Bryn Forbes and Grayson Allen have all played this role, earning most of their minutes alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
When the Greek Freak drives to the hoop, defenses tend to collapse, and having a 3-point shooter on the perimeter allows Antetokounmpo to kick it out to an open shooter. Those three all played the role rather well, putting up some of their best shooting seasons, but there's an argument to be made that none of them have played the role as well as AJ Green has for the Milwaukee Bucks this season.
Not only has he brought marksmanship, but AJ Green has upped his play defensively on top of that.
Bucks sharpshooter AJ Green is starring in his role
Green primarily earned his minutes this season due to his 3-point shooting, knocking down a red-hot 48.3 percent from downtown. As expected, Green has done a good chunk of his damage on the floor with Giannis, shooting 14-of-29 (ironically also 48.3 percent) off passes from the Greek Freak. Green has not made more than eight triples off passes from another individual Buck.
When he receives that kick-out pass from Antetokounmpo, Green knows his job is to fire away, and he's certainly not shy. His quick and confident release has given the Milwaukee Bucks a legitimate weapon on the perimeter that makes defenses pay.
Not only is Green making an impact with his floor spacing, but it's his defense that is truly helping him stay on the floor in key moments. Using his sturdy 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame, Green often takes on tough defensive assignments. Doc Rivers, who has seemingly had an affinity for Green since he took over as coach last year, has more than trusted Green to do so.
While he doesn't dominate every single defensive matchup, Green has held his own. In three outings against the Boston Celtics this season, Green held Jayson Tatum to seven points on 3-of-9 shooting with two turnovers. In two games, Detroit's Cade Cunningham scored eight points on 2-of-7 shooting with Green as his primary defender. Green simply does his part to pester these guys.
With the previous kick-out threats, defense was always a primary concern. When Korver or Forbes were on the court, they were oftentimes hunted by opposing scorers. That made it challenging for them to play in key moments. With Green, the Milwaukee Bucks have not had to worry about that, as his defense has been a sizeable boost for this team.
Averaging eight points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game while shooting the lights out, Green is in the middle of a breakout season, and his importance to this team is clear. While he can shoot it like few others can, AJ Green is clearly more than just a kick-out threat.
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