Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking every player on the 2021-22 roster
By Dalton Sell
Ranking the 2021-22 Milwaukee Bucks — No. 3: Jrue Holiday
The next three names here are rather concrete, beginning with Jrue Holiday. The Bucks traded for Holiday last offseason hoping he could be a needle-tipping addition, and that proved true. He was the guard they had been desperately searching for, giving the team a massive lift on both ends of the floor. His contributions were written all over the title run, whether it be the clutch shots down the stretch in Game 7 versus the Nets or several iconic defensive plays in the NBA Finals.
Holiday is the perfect third fiddle in Milwaukee’s top-heavy trio. After the growing pains he went through with the team last year, he should have a better grip on the system this year. That means he will be more comfortable immediately next season compared to how he was last year, which will allow him to get off to an even better start. The All-Defensive guard is set to be a key piece for the Bucks moving forward, and although it would be hard to top last season, he will give it a shot.
Ranking the 2021-22 Milwaukee Bucks — No. 2: Khris Middleton
After being bombarded with criticism over the years, Khris Middleton faced the music and silenced his doubters. He finally proved that he could indeed be the second option on a championship team as he stepped up for the Bucks in the playoffs. Middleton consistently closed games for Milwaukee in that postseason run, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot to keep this team afloat in their quest for a title. As he lifted up the Larry O’Brien trophy, a massive burden was lifted from his shoulders by proving that he could step up when it mattered most.
Still, Middleton will not lay back and relax just because he finally cemented his status as a world champion. If anything, this should only motivate him more as he tasted victory and knows what it feels like to win on the biggest stage. If he can have another highly productive season, the sky is truly the limit for Middleton and the Bucks. He will undoubtedly get more respect from the media and NBA fanbase after the run that he just had, and deservingly so.