Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks: Midseason grades for every player on the roster

By Adam McGee

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 6: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks smiles on the bench against the LA Clippers on December 6, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 6: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks smiles on the bench against the LA Clippers on December 6, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 12: (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 12: (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Khris Middleton

After signing a mega money extension to seal his return to Milwaukee in the offseason, the spotlight on Khris Middleton was brighter than ever coming into this season. Of course, that also means that the discourse around him was only going to continue to be extra fiery too.

To say Middleton has lived up to what the Bucks expected of him may not quite do his season justice, though.

Having played in 47 of Milwaukee’s 54 games this season, we’ve seen Middleton play at a level that I would have previously assumed to be his absolute peak, if not even beyond it. The fact is that may still prove to be the case, and it makes it only all the more important that it’s appreciated in the moment.

Averaging 20.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals in under 30 minutes per game would have been impressive enough in its own right, but Middleton doing so while shooting at a .501/.438/.902 clip is just flat-out absurd.

With Malcolm Brogdon having joined just last year, perhaps the 50-40-90 club is in danger of becoming a little passé among Bucks fans. But Middleton could join an even more exclusive grouping as just the fifth player to hit that mark while averaging over 20 points per game, joining Larry Bird (twice), Dirk Nowitzki, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. For perspective, Curry and Nowitzki won the MVP award in those seasons, while Bird had won three-in-a-row before posting back-to-back seasons at that rate, and Durant picked up his sole MVP win the following season.

Middleton will never be MVP, but to potentially find a way to barge into that kind of company with his play is a feat that can’t be overlooked. If that wasn’t enough, his performances in Giannis’ rare absences have generally been outstanding, including his career-high 51 points against the Wizards.

For all of the talk about what the Bucks will need in the playoffs, if Middleton supports Giannis in the postseason at anything close to the level he has in the regular season, Milwaukee will be in prime position to win it all.

Grade: A+

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