Third-year wing AJ Green has carved out a nice role with the Milwaukee Bucks this season, and the primary reason why is his perimeter shooting.
He's been a significant spark off the bench, shooting a blazing 43.3 percent from deep. That currently ranks as the seventh-best percentage in the entire NBA. It's been his greatest strength since he came into the NBA as an undrafted player back in 2022, and it's also why it looks like he has a long career ahead.
With numbers like that, plenty of Bucks fans were clamoring for Green to make it into the 3-point Contest at All-Star Weekend. However, the pool of participants has been released, and AJ Green did not make the cut.
Milwaukee Bucks sharpshooter AJ Green snubbed from 3-point contest
Per ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the participants are Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, Buddy Hield, Cameron Johnson, Damian Lillard and Norman Powell. Though the Bucks will have some representation with Lillard, it felt like there was a good shot they'd have two of their players firing away.
Looking at the list, Green's biggest obstacle was name recognition. While he's certainly becoming a household name in Milwaukee very quickly, he does not have the clout of countless All-Stars and the reputation of some of the best shooters in the game. In time, he could certainly get there if he keeps shooting like he has been this season, but it was an uphill battle this year.
It should be noted, though, that AJ Green has a higher 3-point percentage this season than every single player who will be participating in the shootout. The same even goes for Taurean Prince, who is shooting a blistering 46 percent from behind the long line, the fourth-best mark in the NBA. One may argue there were a couple of snubs, but Green is certainly the player fans were gunning for more.
For now, all the young guard can do is use it as fuel as he continues cementing his place in the Bucks' rotation. After Milwaukee's busy trade deadline, his nightly importance has only gone up. Sooner or later, if he keeps shooting like this, he will get the All-Star Weekend call.
Milwaukee Bucks fans will have to cheer on Damian Lillard, who will be gunning for a three-peat after winning the contest in back-to-back seasons.
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