Milwaukee Bucks: Khris Middleton 2017-18 season preview
By Ben Sewell
Expectations for Middleton this season
A strong season from Middleton will go a long way to pulling Milwaukee into the top half of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Despite Middleton’s comments on the matter, this is a vastly weaker conference with several of last year’s playoff teams losing key players this offseason. As such, many fans feel a top-four finish is not out of the equation this year for the Bucks.
If Middleton can return to his 2015-16 form and average close to 20 points per game, while continuing to shoot efficiently, it will go a long way toward that goal. Likewise, that kind of form in a weaker conference will also put Middleton in a prime position to make his first All-Star appearance. As many as five All-Stars from last year’s East team will be out of this season’s team, due to either a move to the Western Conference or injury.
Perhaps the biggest goal of all, however, for Middleton is to remain efficient on both ends of the floor. At this stage in his career, Middleton has the sixth highest three-point percentage and third highest free throw percentage in franchise history. In this day and age when shooting has become so important in the league, Middleton stands above all others as the best Bucks’ shooter on this roster.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Jason Terry 2017-18 season preview
If the Bucks are to return to their powerhouse status in the East, Middleton’s shooting will have to be at the center of their efforts.