Outside shooters have always thrived when playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, and AJ Green is no exception. The marksman has been in quite a slump throughout the month of December, and it's no surprise that Giannis has missed a good chunk of the month. Giannis' return alone won't get Green firing on all cylinders, but it can certainly help get him going on the offensive end.
Giannis' gravity can kickstart Green's rejuvenation
In nine games this month, Green is averaging 8.4 points while shooting just 34.4 percent from deep. For a player who was near the top of the NBA in 3-point percentage for a while, that is a nosedive for the young shooter. A big reason is because he hasn't had as many wide-open looks without Giannis' gravity, as he's attempted just 13 such shots this month. Giannis' return will skyrocket that number.
This season, Green is shooting 24-of-47 (51.1 percent) on 3-pointers off passes from the forward. Green's 24 makes are the most any teammate has picked up courtesy of passes from Giannis. The two are a natural one-two punch offensively due to Giannis' dominance inside and Green's reliability from the perimeter. With Giannis, Green finds himself open, and he makes opposing defenses pay.
Doc Rivers should look to draw up more plays for Green, who has felt underutilized at times this year. Off screens, Green is shooting 10-of-20 (50 percent) this season. Designed plays between Green and Antetokounmpo involving the action could make plenty of sense to mix things up, rather than always having Green spotting up, even if that's what he's best at. He's capable of more.
It must also be noted that Green had been out of the lineup due to a shoulder injury, which certainly could have thrown off his rhythm. He hasn't looked like the same player who started the season red hot since he came back, so it's fair to think that he's still shaking off the rust from that injury. It may take some more time.
Even with the slump, Green is still having the best season of his young career, averaging 10.5 points while shooting 44.8 percent from three on 6.8 attempts per game. Once he shakes this slump, he can undoubtedly blow those numbers out of the water. Everyone in that building knows Green can shoot the lights out, and they will keep dishing it to him often.
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