For most of the year, Milwaukee Bucks fans were clamoring for AJ Green to get as close to double-digit 3-point attempts per game as he could. As one of the best long-distance threats in the league, Green has always done some serious damage out there. Lately, he's upped the attempts, but with the Bucks out of the playoffs and their season almost over, it's coming all too late.
Bucks, Green are realizing how lethal the marksman can be
Green is having by far his most productive month of the season, averaging 13.8 points per contest—his previous highest was 11.8 back in October. The driving factor in the uptick in success has been Green's aggressivness offensively, as he's heaving 9.8 3-point tries per game this month. Before the month of April, the highest he averaged in a month was 7.8, a whole two tries fewer per game.
With the late surge, Green is suddenly in line to shatter the Milwaukee Bucks' single-season 3-point record, held down by Ray Allen since 2001-02. If Green hits three triples in Milwaukee's final regular season contest, the record will now belong to him. The fact that he's even within striking distance despite the few rough patches he's had is applaudable.
Green's surge is coming all too late for Milwaukee. Yes, all of the injuries the Bucks are dealing with have led to more opportunities for Green, so the numbers are inflated lately. However, Green's April numbers are certainly attainable on the regular if he were to up the 3-point attempts. It's too late to make a difference next season, but it does give the team something to work with moving forward.
Green must be among league leaders in perimeter shots next season
With one game to go, AJ Green ranks 17th league-wide in 3-point attempts this season. That's a decent number, but he's certainly capable of more. He should be getting more attempts than Donte DiVincenzo, Tim Hardaway Jr., Toumani Camara, and Collin Gillespie, all fine role players but names who cannot hold a candle in terms of AJ Green's overall 3-point ability.
Next season, averaging double-digit 3-point attempts should be the bare minimum for Green. What he did in Milwaukee's recent win over the Brooklyn Nets—scoring 35 points on 16 3-point attempts—only reinforces the idea. He has the tools to be one of the most lethal perimeter threats in the entire NBA. Whether it means him being more aggressive or a coach drawing up more plays, it's needed.
It's among the biggest things the Milwaukee Bucks can learn from this ugly season.
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