Milwaukee Bucks: Khris Middleton is one of the NBA’s most well-rounded players
By Adam McGee
As Khris Middleton‘s game has developed over his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, he’s become one of the league’s most well-rounded stars.
It’s been an immensely successful couple of years for Khris Middleton, as not only have the Milwaukee Bucks enjoyed a really strong spell as a team, but he’s also taken major strides forward as an individual.
Middleton is now a two-time All-Star, having made the Eastern Conference’s midseason classic roster for two consecutive seasons.
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With that comes a notable boost in profile, and the same can be said for Middleton’s participation with Team USA during last year’s FIBA World Cup in China. Importantly, that pair of landmark achievements have likely also given Middleton a notable confidence boost, and one that has translated into his production in what had been a career season in 2019-20 prior to the league’s suspension.
As the season came to at least a temporary halt, Middleton found himself agonizingly close to a 50-40-90 average, dropping just below on field goal percentage (49.9 percent) with a couple of sub-par performances just before the suspension.
Still, that leaves Middleton as one of the league’s absolutely elite shooters, while impressively that’s only one element of his game.
On the whole, what’s perhaps most striking about the player Middleton has become over his years with the Bucks is just how versatile and well-rounded his game has become.
Not only is Middleton an outstanding shooter, but he can score at a high volume, grab rebounds, and dish out assists, all while being an above average defender.
Turning back to the current season again highlights that, with Middleton having posted averages of 21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
To put into context just how unusual it is for a player to be able to offer up those levels of contribution across those three areas of the game, only nine players in the NBA this season have managed to average at least 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Alongside Middleton, that exclusive grouping includes his teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, James Harden, Luka Doncic, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Brandon Ingram.
The truth is that is the kind of company that it would have been unthinkable to imagine Middleton holding just a few years ago.
When Milwaukee and Middleton came to terms on a five-year, $177.5 million extension last summer, there was no shortage of discussion about whether he was worth such a phenomenal outlay, and the truth is that is a conversation that will likely rumble on over the duration of his deal.
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Still, the conversation on Middleton should likely shift away from what he isn’t to what he is at this point in his career. On that front, Middleton has become one of the more complete and well-rounded players to be found anywhere in the NBA today, and it’s therefore no surprise that he’s such a key part of Milwaukee’s success.