Milwaukee Bucks: 3 Bold Predictions for Khris Middleton

Milwaukee Bucks: Bold predictions for Khris Middleton: Finals MVP

This is admittedly the boldest prediction I may ever make, but one that is still possible, even if remotely. There is absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that Giannis Antetokounmpo was the Finals MVP in the 2021 NBA Finals, scoring 50 points in the elimination game all but sealed that award for him. However, Khris Middleton played two very good games, three monster games and one quite bad game in that Finals series.

Games 1 and 5 Khris Middleton scored 29 points, in Game 1 Giannis Antetokounmpo was limited to just 11 field goal attempts, still managing 20 points however. That said Middleton may have been the best player on the court for the Bucks in game 1. Game 2 is the one that hurts Middleton’s finals averages and likely one he would like to forget. Game 3 was a perfect storm for the Bucks, Giannis had 41, Jrue Holiday had a bounce back game and Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis scored 11 points each, even still Middleton scored 18 points and had seven rebounds and six assists.

Game 4 is the game that makes me believe Middleton is capable of fulfilling this bold prediction and winning a Finals MVP. Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Finals Khris Middleton dropped 40 points to go with six rebounds and four assists. The Milwaukee Bucks won the game by six points thanks to Middleton scoring 10 points in the last 2:07 of the fourth quarter.

Game 5 was another great game from Middleton, 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Game 5 was just a four point victory for the Milwaukee Bucks and the entire big three came to play, Giannis scored 32 points and Jrue scored 27 to go with 13 assists, the play of this game was the steal by Jrue Holiday on Devin Booker followed by an and-one lob to Giannis in the closing seconds.

Game 6 was Giannis being Giannis, he took matters into his own hands and Middleton played a somewhat quiet but solid game, scoring 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.

So what would it take for Middleton to up his averages of 24.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists and win a Finals MVP? Well it would likely take a concerted effort by the Milwaukee Bucks’ finals opponent should the Bucks get that far to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo, or at least an effort to contain him and for Khris Middleton to play like he did in games 1, 4 and 5 during the 2021 Finals. Also if Khris Middleton were able to up his averages and then be the Milwaukee Bucks best player in the potential title sealing victory and have a career moment, like Giannis did in game 6, there absolutely exists a world where Khris Middleton wins a Finals MVP.

These predictions are admittedly bold, but ones that I’m sure Milwaukee Bucks fans would be happy to see come to fruition.