Behind the Bucks Pass
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Analyzing the biggest playoff X-factor for each Milwaukee Bucks starter

By Dalton Sell

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Khris Middleton
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 14 (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Khris Middleton’s consistency on offense will be his biggest playoff X-factor with the Milwaukee Bucks

It has been an up and down year offensively for Khris Middleton. While he averaged over 20 points for the third consecutive year, his shooting efficiency regressed mightily compared to the past few seasons. This was largely due to his game-by-game inconsistencies, as the forward had his share of great performances throughout the year but also a handful of grueling ones. As the Bucks gear up for the postseason, they will need Middleton to establish a shooting rhythm, given how crucial he is to this team’s championship aspirations.

The biggest area Middleton must emphasize offensively is his 3-point shooting. The forward relied on that shot more than ever before this year as he attempted a career-high 6.6 threes pet contest, but the results were mixed as he hit just 37.3 percent of those tries, the third least-efficient mark in his career. Looking over his 3-point production over the past few months, the inconsistency has been put on full display, shooting 31 percent from three in April, 45.2 percent in March, 27 percent in February, and 42.5 percent in January. Given how much the Bucks rely on that outside shot, they would unquestionably like to see him get into a groove and sustain it once the playoffs begin.

Looking back at last year’s playoff run, Middleton has his share of tough shooting games over the course of the postseason. Unsurprisingly, the Bucks lost a sizeable portion of the games where he struggled, but they won when he was able to get himself going offensively. As they look to repeat, the defending champions will need their second-leading scorer to get a grip on his consistency, as his production will be pivotal. If Middleton can get his field goal percentage closer to 50 percent than 40 percent and his 3-point percentage closer to 40 than 35 consistently, it would help the Milwaukee Bucks mightily during the team’s upcoming playoff run.

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