Before he even plays a single matchup for the Milwaukee Bucks, Jaime Jaquez Jr. is already drawing comparisons to a franchise legend. Due to some similarities in their games, Khris Middleton has been a popular comparison for Milwaukee's newcomer since he came over this summer. His growth in the mid-range this past season certainly adds validity to that chatter.
Jaquez taking strides in the mid-range
Middleton's mid-range was an essential part of Milwaukee's offensive attack during his tenure with the franchise. When the Bucks needed a bucket, it was often Middleton's smooth pull-up from two that sealed the deal. While he's nowhere near as reliable just yet, Jaquez showed the same type of dominance with that shot in spurts last season.
Jaquez sank 35 of his 67 shots from the mid-range this past season, an impressive 52.2 percent. Among players to attempt at least 60 mid-range jumpers last season, Jaquez ranked sixth in the NBA in efficiency, trailing marksmen like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and T.J. McConnell. Considering he was under 40 percent in the prior two seasons, this uptick in efficiency is welcoming.
As he looks toward a bigger role in Milwaukee, that shot could become a legitimate weapon for Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The forward likely won't develop into a great outside shooter anytime soon, and in Milwaukee's new system, he won't have to. He will be surrounded by so much perimeter talent that defenses won't be paying as much attention to what is happening inside the arc, allowing interior players like Jaquez to thrive with mid-range shots and shots at the hoop.
Just like Middleton, it will fuel a versatile attack for Jaquez.
Jaquez still has a long ways to go
No one is saying this is a night and day comparison. Yet, with the complementary passing attack, the slow-footed play defensively, and, of course, the rising mid-range, Jaquez has shown some glimpses of Middleton throughout his first two seasons. After spending the last year and a half looking for a viable replacement, the Milwaukee Bucks may finally have their answer at small forward.
If Jaquez can eventually reach the heights that Middleton did with the Milwaukee Bucks, it would be a dream come true. For now, the forward must aim to capitalize on what will almost certainly be a huge role and play to the best of his ability. With that, he should continue to let it fly from the mid-range if he can continue to hit over half of them as he did this past season.
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