The Milwaukee Bucks have stumbled out of the gate to start the 2024-25 NBA season, posting a disappointing 1-5 record. While the revitalized play of Damian Lillard injected a much-needed boost of star power, the team has struggled to find consistent contributions from the supporting cast.
One area that requires immediate attention is the rotation, particularly the minutes distribution between Pat Connaughton and Andre Jackson Jr.
Though it might not be a glaringly obvious change, in recent games, Milwaukee's head coach, Doc Rivers, has actually shown a willingness to adjust his rotation.
In Milwaukee's past two games against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Andre Jackson Jr. played a combined 34 minutes, while Connaughton only saw 26 through the two games. It does feel as though Milwaukee's head tactician is finally giving the team's youth movement a chance — which is a drastic turnaround from his longstanding reputation of leaning heavily on established veterans.
Milwaukee's solution to problems might already be on the bench
What truly sets Jackson apart is his relentless motor. He's a defensive menace, constantly harassing opposing ball-handlers, contesting shots, and diving for loose balls. His ability to disrupt opponents' offensive rhythm and create turnovers has been invaluable to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jackson's impact on the Milwaukee Bucks thus far extends beyond his individual statistics. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and he has a knack for making big plays at crucial moments. He's the kind of player who can change the momentum of a game with a single hustle play.
A cursory glance at the matchup stats is proof enough. Across Jackson's 19 minutes of action thus far and 99.5 partial possessions, opposing scorers have shot 1-of-12 (or a whopping 8.3 field goal percentage) whenever Jackson is the closest defender.
The Milwaukee Bucks' rotation changes cannot stop there
Little by little, Doc Rivers is going deeper into his bench for answers. While Jackson has shown promise, the Milwaukee Bucks still need more 3-point shooting to complement Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. And there's one young Buck who hasn't quite gotten the opportunity yet.
The obvious solution is to give AJ Green more playing time. Green has shown flashes of brilliance as a scorer and defender, and his ability to stretch the floor would be a valuable asset for the Bucks' offense.
Look, it's clear to many watching the games that Green has had his struggles dating back to the preseason exhibition games. Yet, so far, his play has yet to be recognized by Rivers, as he's only played 13 minutes and 55 seconds so far through six games.
To be fair, many of Green's minutes were genuine rotation minutes that usually came in the second quarter. But many times, it seemed as though Rivers had a bit of a short leash for the third-year guard, often benching him after just a few misses despite his impact on other aspects of the game.
Shooting, after all, isn't just about the shots you make but the spacing you provide for teammates by just being there and being a respectable threat - which he has always been for all of his Bucks tenure.
While his 45.5 percent rate on shots from behind the 3-point line is already impressive in itself, the stats show just how skilled he has gotten in that area over the years. On shots classified as "open" or when the defender is contesting from four-to-six feet of the offensive player, AJ Green is shooting threes at a 66.7 percent clip. When he's able to get his rhythm and get his shot off at the 15-to-seven range on the shot clock, he's making 62.5 percent of his threes.
His defensive improvement is clear, too. While he's still very much a work in progress, his effort is still there, while he's able to navigate screens much better. He's only played 14 minutes so far this season, but in those minutes, opposing scorers shot 3-of-7 or 42.9 percent with Green defending.
He's not some elite ball-stopper, but he just competes whenever he's given the opportunity. Per PBP Stats, Milwaukee's defensive rating is a much better 102.5 points given up per 100 possessions when Green is on the floor versus 120.4 when he's benched.
The Bucks' struggles from beyond the arc have been a major factor in their slow start, given the lack of shooting consistency from guys like Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. Right now, they need to find ways to generate more open 3-point looks and improve their shooting percentage. By giving Green increased minutes, the Milwaukee Bucks could create more spacing for Lillard and Antetokounmpo, making their offense more efficient.
Considering the lack of production from established veterans so far, giving more playing time to Andre Jackson Jr. and AJ Green could be a step in the right direction. By addressing their shooting woes and improving their defensive intensity, the Bucks can turn their season around and return to championship contention.
As the Bucks continue to navigate the early part of the season, Jackson's role will be crucial - but so will Green's. Their ability to provide defensive intensity and shooting could be the spark the team needs to ignite their season. If the two are able to continue developing their offensive games, they could become a key contributor for years to come.
Green spoke about his game during his presser after training camp when asked about his summer.
"Just continuing to get better defensively on the ball, moving better through screens, navigating through screens, just understanding positioning off the ball. I'm continuing to get better as a shooter, continuing to be decisive and playing off of my shot and getting into the next action and next play, wherever it's for myself or for my teammates."
AJ Green could help this team.
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