How the Return of an All-Star Could Aid the Bucks in Their Struggle
Khris Middleton, a forward with the Milwaukee Bucks, is sidelined indefinitely as the team struggles to a 1-6 start this season. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that Middleton has not yet been authorized to participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages because he is still recuperating from offseason operations on his ankles. As of right now, there is no schedule for Middleton’s comeback.
The Bucks have struggled to compensate for Middleton’s absence on the court, which has hurt their start to the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are two more Bucks superstars, but they haven’t yet gelled as well as they did when Middleton was playing.
Lisa Byington, the Bucks’ play-by-play commentator, explained what Middleton brings to the team when he’s healthy.
Byington stated on Bucks+, “Khris Middleton has so many things that amaze me.” “To begin with, he is incredibly skilled at basketball since he trains everyone on his baseline and turnaround jumpers. He has the ability to lead, teach, and facilitate on the floor. He’s really involved in his
Kris Johnson continued: “The other thing that Khris does from a basketball perspective, he makes it very difficult to send two at Dame, sent two at Giannis, because if you send two at either one of those guys, now you have a reliable jump-shooter that can knock down jumpers.”
Middleton scored 15.1 points, pulled down 4.7 rebounds, and distributed 5.3 assists a game for the Bucks last season. Despite being a three-time NBA All-Star, Middleton has lost time due to injury in each of the last five seasons. Middleton decided to have his ankles operated on using arthroscopic techniques, and he is currently recovering from the treatment.
Despite battling injuries during the previous season, Middleton had an outstanding postseason performance, averaging 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.
The odds are stacked against the Bucks making a postseason run, even with Middleton back. Since 1970, just 12 teams have begun a season with a record of 1-6 or worse and advanced to the postseason. The Bucks have now lost six straight games. They have failed to pull off a victory since opening night, despite losing both of their previous games by two points or fewer. Talks with Doc Rivers I’ve observed.
