Khris Middleton
Middleton on the lessons learned from losing to Toronto:
"“It’s never over until you actually complete it. To go back and think about that series, the plays that they made, the winning plays, the desperation that they played with at times, and that we didn’t. It’s something we’ve got to continue to do, we had it for most of the season and that series, but it’s got to be for the whole season, 48 minutes a game, and that’s how they played.”"
Middleton on how he feels the World Cup can benefit him:
"“Usually during the summer time you’re working out by yourself in the gym or you’re just playing random pickup games. This summer, I was able to play real games and play high-level basketball for the last month. So I think that’s great preparation in some ways, rather than just being in the gym by yourself doing drills or playing open gym. It’s organized basketball against the world, so I don’t think it effected me in a negative way at all.”"
Middleton on adjusting to the Bucks’ new status as one of the teams to beat:
"“I think we saw that maybe halfway into the season. We weren’t catching anybody by surprise any more, that every night we had to be ready from the jump all the way to the finish. But I think the way we finished [last regular season] was strong, we had a lead but in going back and forth with Toronto we never let our guard down, and I think that was a huge learning lesson for us knowing what’s going to be happening this year.”"
Middleton on going into year two with Coach Bud:
"“In some of the short conversations I’ve had with him so far, he has said he wants to change or tweak a couple of things, but I haven’t had a chance to see what yet, so hopefully we’ll see tomorrow. But I think for the most part it’s going to be the same. I know last year was a totally different style of play to what we’d played, so this year is going to be a little bit comfortable knowing spots, running habits, different types of plays, and spacing is going to be similar to what it was last year. Which is a lot easier for a player, as you have so many things coming at you at one time. I’m excited to see what he changes or brings to the table with us.”"