While the 16-10 Milwaukee Bucks might not exactly be experiencing a ‘championship hangover,’ they have undeniably had some issues early on. Among the most recognizable is the terribly slow start from Khris Middleton, who has not quite looked like himself.
Khris Middleton’s slow start for the Milwaukee Bucks has been puzzling
The forward is averaging 18.1 points per game, his fewest since the 2016-17 season. The typical shooting efficiency everyone has grown accustomed to seeing from Middleton has not been there as he is knocking down a career-low 41.8 percent of his field goals and 34.3 percent of his 3-point shots, the second-worst mark in his career. This is a player that has shot 48.6 percent on field goal attempts and 41.4 percent on 3-pointers while averaging 20.6 points over the past two years. Middleton’s efficiency has nosedived this season.
Taking a closer look, Middleton has struggled offensively in two particular areas, the first being in the non-restricted painted area. According to NBA.com/stats, he is shooting a lackluster 15-of-43 (34.9 percent) from there this season, struggling to find any consistency. He has been worse on above the break 3-pointers, where he is shooting 31-of-95 (32.6 percent) on the year. Middleton is obviously far better than these numbers suggest, as he is one of the best shooters in the game on all three levels. Numbers like this will not cut it for Milwaukee’s second-leading scorer.
In addition to his sluggish shooting, it does not help that Middleton is turning the ball over more than ever before. The forward is totaling 3.1 turnovers per game this season, which is by far the most in his career, shattering his 2.6 per game from last season. While Middleton has displayed solid progression as a passer, he oftentimes makes mistakes that could have been easily avoidable. Look at Milwaukee’s latest matchup with the Miami Heat for reference. Middleton had a glaring six turnovers in that matchup, with a fateful one coming late that ended any hope of a comeback. The turnovers are starting to pile up, and they are hurting the Bucks.
Despite Khris Middleton’s slow start, the Milwaukee Bucks should have some patience with their second star
Excuses can be lazy, but if anyone should get a pass for having a slow start to the season, it is him. The 30-year-old has been incredibly busy over the past few months as he helped the Bucks win a title and then immediately flew to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics. Once that was finished, he would have very little time to rest as the turnaround from the end of last season to the start of this season condensed the offseason tremendously. To make matters worse, Middleton missed time early this season after testing positive for COVID-19, and he could still be dealing with the aftermath of that. These last few months have been incredibly tiring for Middleton, and no one could truly blame him as he is still trying to find his footing.
Middleton showed throughout Milwaukee’s championship run what he is capable of doing. He is among the best second fiddles in the association and can score the basketball on all three levels like few others can. Though he is having significant trouble putting the ball in the hoop right now, especially from 3-point range, he has time to regain that stroke. Middleton should only get better as the regular season goes on and he has an opportunity to get his legs beneath him once again with each passing matchup. As the season progresses, Middleton’s efficiency is bound to increase and his turnovers are sure to regress.
Check back in a few months.