Bucks Recap 2020: Khris Middleton
In the opening season of his five year, $178 million contract, Khris Middleton was putting on a show for the Milwaukee Bucks, who were en route to the top seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs before the coronavirus shutdown that down on March 11. Many Bucks fans might find themselves lost without watching the talented duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton every few nights. Let’s reminisce on when times were simpler, and the only thing we had to worry about was how many points the Bucks would win by each game. The first player highlighted: All-Star G/F Khris “Khash” Middleton.
Khris Middleton: The Basketball Player
Middleton was coming off stellar back-to-back seasons in the NBA leading into the 2019-20 Bucks season. He averaged 19.2 points per game between 2017-18 and 2018-19, along with 4.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds a game. His 2018-19 season was also his first All-Star selection in his eight-year career. Yet statistically, his 2017-18 season was better, including a 17.4 PER compared to a 16.5 PER the next year. However, the current season was slated to be Khris Middleton’s best statistical season ever, with a special emphasis on efficiency. On average in 2019-20, Middleton has played 30.1 minutes per game. Take a look at some of his outstanding stats below (career best are bolded):
- 21.1 points/game
- 4.1 assists/game
- 6.2 rebounds/game
- 49.9% from the field
- 41.8% from three
- 90.8% from the line
- 25.2 points per 36 minutes
- 4.9 assists per 36 minutes
- 7.4 rebounds per 36 minutes
- 21.4 Player Efficiency Rating
Although not quite a full 82 games, it would not be far-fetched to say that the 2019-20 season has been Khris Middleton’s true breakout season as a Bucks player. He has exceeded expectations so far in the regular season, as shown in the statistics above, and has been a key contributor in an era-defining year. If you don’t already like Middleton because of his numbers, read on.
Khris Middleton: The Person
Alongside his obvious talent in the game of basketball, Khris Middleton also has a knack for giving back to his communities, including his hometown of Charleston, SC, and especially Milwaukee. During his seven years with the Bucks, Middleton has volunteered his time and resources in the Milwaukee community through the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Public Schools. He offers game tickets to members of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and has visited schools in the area. He also participates in many smaller events throughout the season. Since 2012, he has hosted his own youth basketball summer camp targeted towards underprivileged kids who might not otherwise get the chance to attend a basketball camp. Khris has even been recognized by NBA Cares, most recently in 2018-19.
More recently, Khris Middleton donated $25,000 towards relief efforts for the COVID-19 crisis last week. This donation, made through Milwaukee Public Schools, will help kids in the Milwaukee community receive necessary hygiene supplies, along with academic materials. According to MPS, his donation along with others’ will provide about 2,500 supply kits for students and their families.
Final Thoughts
True Milwaukee Bucks fans can remember the early years of Khris Middleton’s career with the team. As the bottom-feeders of the Eastern Conference, the Bucks were deep in a rebuild when Middleton arrived in the Cream City in 2013. Yet, he has persisted, and is now in his seventh year with the franchise with at least another four to go. The loyalty he has shown to the city and to the fanbase should not be forgotten when considering how impactful Khris Middleton has been during this era of Bucks basketball. Of course, being an All-Star caliber player helps too.
How much do you miss watching Khash Money and the Bucks dominate the NBA? Let me know in the comments below! Follow me on Twitter for more great Bucks content @schrades_14, and follow our basketball page @oth_basketball also. Discuss this and everything to do with sports at the Overtime Heroics Forums. Also, check out some of my other Wisconsin sports content here.