What will it take for the Milwaukee Bucks to contend for a championship?
By Dylan Carter
Khris Middleton needs to maintain his composure through this postseason run.
When performing at the best of his abilities, Khris Middleton can look like the best player on the court against any opponent. On one side of the coin, Middleton has logged five playoff series shooting at least 37.5 percent from deep on significant attempts. That includes three full playoff series shooting at least 45.8 percent from beyond the arch.
On the other side, we’ve seen Middleton lose his footing and shoot terribly from the floor in the postseason. During his last four series, he’s shot an atrocious 39.8 percent from the field. Assuming that his team maintains health, Middleton needs to keep his head on straight and work within the flow of the game instead of forcing shots in the postseason.
Instead, Middleton will be better served in the initiator role that he’s accepted since Holiday arrived. While it remains true that Holiday is a reliable ball-handler, he shouldn’t be expected to rack up double-digit assists on his own. By attacking as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, Middleton needs to generate shot opportunities for himself while recognizing passing lanes and feeding his roll-man, which will be a former MVP in many scenarios.
On the flip side of that, Middleton must remain active while off the ball. Roaming the halfcourt and creating space from his defender while away from the ball will provide the Milwaukee Bucks with the safety valve they need when dribble penetration doesn’t work out.
What it comes down to is decision-making. Middleton is a threat to erupt for 30 on any given night, but that’s not necessarily what the team will need from him each night in the playoffs. After his collapse in last year’s postseason, it’s hard to believe Middleton will be anything but hungry with a championship on the line.