Many Bucks fans have had their doubts about Coach Doc Rivers and his ability to put the team in the best position. Whether Rivers is the right man for the job may still be in question, but the one player who should be happy to have him at the helm is newly extended Bucks 3-point specialist AJ Green, as Rivers has helped plenty of players like him succeed.
Rivers has coached some of the best sharpshooters in the league
Rivers has coached in various situations throughout his up-and-down career. In 2008, Rivers led the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship. One of those key players was former Milwaukee Buck Ray Allen. At the time, Allen was considered the best 3-point shooter in the league and, before Steph Curry, the best shooter in NBA history. Rivers has experience with high-volume 3-point shooters.
Rivers' stint in Los Angeles with the Clippers was memorable for several reasons. One of those stories was how Rivers was able to unlock JJ Redick in a way that Orlando and Stan Van Gundy had not been able to. Redick was an unstoppable sniper in college at Duke, but until playing for Doc Rivers and the Clippers, he wasn't able to find the same consistency and volume from long range.
That brings us to the current Bucks team, fresh off a 3-1 preseason. This team is loaded with 3-point shooters. Trent, Turner, Portis, Prince, Coffey, Rollins, Porter, and Anthony are all reliable from long range. The best shooter on the team, AJ Green, could be Doc Rivers' next player to unlock. The recipe for success for Green is high volume and minutes.
Through the preseason, Green has appeared in the starting lineup in each of the team's four games. Assuming that continues, the minutes portion of the recipe will be solved. Rivers' new fast-paced style for this younger personnel could result in a much higher volume from Green. With Giannis playing more point this year, he is also going to get plenty of wide-open looks, which spells trouble for opposing defenses.
All arrows are pointing to a breakout season from the young guard, and we know that Doc Rivers will give him confidence and put him in good spots just like he has before with similar types of players. The good news is the Bucks now have Green signed for the next four seasons and can keep him away from other interested teams after they see what he is made of.