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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 goals for Khris Middleton in 2018-19 season

By Jordan Treske

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 3: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks is introduced during a pre-season game against the Chicago Bulls on October 3, 2018 at Fiserv Forum, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 3: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks is introduced during a pre-season game against the Chicago Bulls on October 3, 2018 at Fiserv Forum, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 09: (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 09: (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Maintain mid-range mastery

Although this certainly cuts across what looks to be a three-point renaissance for him, it’s unrealistic to expect Middleton to cut out his mid-range game entirely this season.

Having punched our collective tickets on the tough shot express for some time now, Middleton’s mid-range marksmanship stood as one of the hallmarks in the antiquated offensive system under the previous coaching change.

But Middleton’s methodical in-between game stood as one of the defining qualities in his career scoring year last season. Per Basketball-Reference.com, Middleton sank 53.3 percent of his 302 shot attempts taken within 10-16 feet and 46.2 percent of his 253 shots that can be classified as long twos.

With the new, modern offensive principles and philosophies he’s now playing under with the arrival of Coach Bud, Middleton shed some light on how he’s trying to find the balance in boosting his opportunities from downtown and maintain his mid-range scoring prowess in a Q&A with CBS Sports’ James Herbert last week:

"“CBS: What has Bud told you about taking 3s vs. operating in the mid-range? Obviously he usually doesn’t love those shots, but you were one of the best in the league at doing it. KM: We’ve come to an agreement on where and when those mid-range shots will come, and I agree with it. The way we win now, the way guys win now, is shooting the 3-ball. I know at times I’m going to have to just take the 3-ball when it’s there instead of trying to get more to that mid-range. But the mid-range game is definitely one of my strong suits. I can’t give that up. I know I’m going to have to take a couple less ones, but it’s still going to be there for me, I’m definitely going to still shoot it. CBS: What do you mean when you say you know when and where you can take them? KM: It comes to the point where, if a mid-range shot is there, I’m going to take it. If I’m open, I have to shoot that shot. That’s a great shot for the team and myself. If I’ve got one or two guys contesting the shot, maybe try to find something else better, which makes sense. I mean, I took a lot of tough shots in the past where, in this offense, in this scheme, I shouldn’t have to rely on that too much. Either I can create and find a guy for an open shot, maybe a 3 or a layup, or I can just take my 3-ball when it’s there.”"

It’s understandable why Middleton is planning on keeping his mid-range expertise embedded in his arsenal of skills as he has never been better doing so than last year.

Maintaining that balance of being a proven scoring threat from all three levels of the floor is all anyone can ask for and while he’ll finally adjust to spacing the floor at an even greater rate under Bud, there will be a place for Middleton to operate within the arc when the Bucks need it on occasion.

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