Milwaukee Bucks: Player grades for 2019 FIBA World Cup
By Adam McGee
Khris Middleton
World Cup stat line: 9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 steals, .438/.357/.929
There’ll be plenty of reflection on Team USA’s World Cup disappointment, and the what ifs of those who didn’t opt to suit up for the squad this summer. But the other hypothetical that’s really much more deserving of contemplation is what more Popovich could have made of the roster he had.
In that regard, one of the first questions that should be up for discussion is whether Middleton should have played a much larger role than he did. Middleton’s shooting did fluctuate across the course of his eight games, but even beyond that his averages from the event don’t speak to his impact.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the age profile of the team, and his status as just one of two former All-Stars on it, Middleton frequently provided a steadying presence for the Americans, offering scoring, playmaking and rebounding. In other words, a general sense of control.
One way that did show up in the box score across the tournament is in terms of plus/minus. Middleton finished the tournament as a +77, and averaged a +9.6 per game. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact he never registered a negative single-game plus/minus in the tournament, even in US losses.
Popovich’s system certainly afforded Middleton some more mid-range looks than he necessarily saw last year with the Bucks, but overall, and after a horrid performance in pre-tournament exhibition games, there was plenty to like about the 28-year-old’s in-tournament contributions.
Final grade: B