How KT tape is helping Dairy Bird play at a high level, and why it matters
In mid-March, AJ Green was slumping. He was letting shots fly with his usual confidence, but something was off. In six games between March 18th and March 28th, Green was just 10/28 from three (35.7%). That’s not bad shooting for many players, but well below the kid’s usual loftier standards. Zooming out a bit more, between March 8th and March 24th, before a 5/9 slumpbuster on the 25th in Denver, he was 10/36 (27.8%). Yikes.
Following a contest on the 28th against the Knicks, Green missed two games with a shoulder sprain. Since his return, he’s been sizzling hot. Through six games in April, Dairy Bird is 15/26 from three (57.7%), and he made two or more triples in five out of the six. So what changed? How did Green find his rhythm again?
When Green returned from injury on April 3rd, he was sporting shoulder tape, and he’s worn some in every game since.
How shoulder tape works
Shoulder tape, formally known as kinesiology or “KT” tape, is flexible tape usually made of cotton or nylon that is designed to stabilize your joints. It’s breathable and unrestrictive, meaning it moves with your shoulder rather than hampering movement. It also reduces pain while improving muscle function. Overall, it’s perfect for athletes looking to play through minor injuries, and it’s super common to see it being used on the court. You may remember James Harden often wearing shoulder tape during his Houston days.
For AJ Green, who experienced a minor shoulder sprain, the shoulder tape is allowing him to continue playing in important games for his team. Every shooter naturally goes through slumps, and his shoulder sprain was officially suffered on March 28th, so pain in that area probably wasn’t the root cause of his March struggles. The tape is clearly having a positive effect now, though, as he’s shooting as sharply as ever since returning to the lineup.
Why AJ Green playing well is important
In the playoffs, teams need role players who can contribute on both ends in multiple ways. Among Milwaukee’s wing room of Green, Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, Andre Jackson Jr., and Pat Connaughton, Green is the most complete two-way player besides Trent. He’s a versatile sniper not limited to spot-up shooting, and he’s improved over time at putting the ball on the deck and hitting middies. He also guards well on the ball defensively and can navigate screens.
Green plays a valuable role, and the Bucks are better when he’s playing well. On the season, the team is 19-8 when he splashes three or more treys and 30-15 when he nets two or more. Unfortunately, if Green’s shot isn’t falling, he can look like a non-factor. We saw that last year in the playoffs when he shot just 18.2% from outside against the Pacers.
Green is sixth on the Bucks in win shares this season. He’s a big part of what the team does. If they’re gonna go far in the playoffs, Dairy Bird will need to stay in stride and knock down shots. The shoulder tape has helped him do that, so he should probably stick (pun partially intended) to wearing it. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!