Khris Middleton Thread

[coolhandluke121]

I think playing over the summer helped his conditioning to start the year. We didn't see much of the usual slouching from him.

I also think he saw how good his teammates are when he sat out and adjusting his game accordingly.

This is the best we've seen him, by far, since before the hamstring injury. In the spring of 2016, I thought we had another Reggie Miller on our hands. I wouldn't even call him a poor man's Miller, although obviously he was never going to be quite that good. Now with his iso game, he looks a little more like Paul Pierce, but the important thing is that he's a lot better than he was the last 3 years.

I wouldn't discount how much the rest of the team is helping him look better though. That's the thing with great glue guys; they're not the ones getting the stats, but they make it so much easier for the stars of the team. Guys like Brogdon and Mirotic were just more guys to share fga's and touches with. And let's not forget that Hill only played about 50 game for the Bucks last year.

[paulpressey25]

I was wrong. Very, very wrong. I got down on Kha$h after the ECFs and thought the Bucks might want to choose Brogdon over him.

This efficiency on this usage is exceptional. This Middleton is a legitimate multiyear All-Star.

Middleton is now playing like Klay. It is sort of baffling that he's got this extra gear in him but we have not seen it consistently in prior years.

The contract immediately becomes worth it and non-debatable if the Bucks win a title this year (or next). Or Giannis signs the five-year super-max come July. However, until that point, the contract debate likely will still be legitimately in the background for a couple years.

[crkone]

I was wrong. Very, very wrong. I got down on Kha$h after the ECFs and thought the Bucks might want to choose Brogdon over him.

This efficiency on this usage is exceptional. This Middleton is a legitimate multiyear All-Star.

Middleton is now playing like Klay. It is sort of baffling that he's got this extra gear in him but we have not seen it consistently in prior years.

The contract immediately becomes worth it and non-debatable if the Bucks win a title this year (or next). Or Giannis signs the five-year super-max come July. However, until that point, the contract debate likely will still be legitimately in the background for a couple years.

Khris has been playing better than Klay. Much better rebounder and creator.

[Brewhoopfan]

I was wrong. Very, very wrong. I got down on Kha$h after the ECFs and thought the Bucks might want to choose Brogdon over him.

This efficiency on this usage is exceptional. This Middleton is a legitimate multiyear All-Star.

Middleton is now playing like Klay. It is sort of baffling that he's got this extra gear in him but we have not seen it consistently in prior years.

The contract immediately becomes worth it and non-debatable if the Bucks win a title this year (or next). Or Giannis signs the five-year super-max come July. However, until that point, the contract debate likely will still be legitimately in the background for a couple years.

Khris has been playing better than Klay. Much better rebounder and creator.

Khris has been playing really well, but let's not get crazy. The meager lead Khris has in rebounds and assists does not offset Klay being in another stratosphere defensively.

[crkone]

Middleton is now playing like Klay. It is sort of baffling that he's got this extra gear in him but we have not seen it consistently in prior years.

The contract immediately becomes worth it and non-debatable if the Bucks win a title this year (or next). Or Giannis signs the five-year super-max come July. However, until that point, the contract debate likely will still be legitimately in the background for a couple years.

Khris has been playing better than Klay. Much better rebounder and creator.

Khris has been playing really well, but let's not get crazy. The meager lead Khris has in rebounds and assists does not offset Klay being in another stratosphere defensively.

Khris has over 3 more rebounds per 36 than Klay's best year and almost double the assists. Better WS/48, better OBPM, better DBPM, better BPM.

[Ron Swanson]

Klay will go down as one of the best spot-up shooters ever, but people love to overrate his overall skillset and his actual impact. It's never been a ridiculous comparison and Middleton even has some key advantages over him (ISO scoring, rebounding, play-making). I'd take this version of Middleton over any version of Klay assuming we get this level over a full season (TBD).

[LuessiT]

I hope Khris keeps demanding more and more shots as long as they are within his skillset. He's so efficient and turns down good looks within the offense that I hope he'll take. He's not a complementary piece to Giannis anymore but a second primary option. Bud should find even more ways to stagger Giannis and Middleton (and make Donte and Giannis share the floor as much as possible). Figuring this out may give us another boost.

[leroyjw10]

I was wrong. Very, very wrong. I got down on Kha$h after the ECFs and thought the Bucks might want to choose Brogdon over him.

This efficiency on this usage is exceptional. This Middleton is a legitimate multiyear All-Star.

Middleton is now playing like Klay. It is sort of baffling that he's got this extra gear in him but we have not seen it consistently in prior years.

The contract immediately becomes worth it and non-debatable if the Bucks win a title this year (or next). Or Giannis signs the five-year super-max come July. However, until that point, the contract debate likely will still be legitimately in the background for a couple years.

Khris has been playing better than Klay. Much better rebounder and creator.

Better (or equal) in some areas, but Klay is still a significantly better defensive player. I've seen Klay lock down guys like Kyrie and Westbrook. There's no way Middleton, who's just the 5th-best defensive player among Bucks starters, keeps either in front of him.

[crkone]

I hope Khris keeps demanding more and more shots as long as they are within his skillset. He's so efficient and turns down good looks within the offense that I hope he'll take. He's not a complementary piece to Giannis anymore but a second primary option. Bud should find even more ways to stagger Giannis and Middleton (and make Donte and Giannis share the floor as much as possible). Figuring this out may give us another boost.

Don't break what's working. If everyone gets theirs, everyone stays happy and plays defense/gets rebounds. A huge component of this team is Khris not demanding shots and turning it on when necessary (if the coach tells him to).

[JEIS]

Who shows up for Denver of friday? Mamba Midds? or Drunk Khris?

Homeboy is trying to make that allstar game again, so I go with Mamba with a slight buzz.

[blazza18]

Middleton is now playing like Klay. It is sort of baffling that he's got this extra gear in him but we have not seen it consistently in prior years.

One thing I love about Klay that I wish Midds can get to is he's never afraid of the moment. He'll have really bad shooting nights but the dude had no fear. His best games have come when the Warriors really needed it. If Midds can get to that mentality it's a wrap.

[ReasonablySober]

I don't really see a ton of similarities between Klay and Khris. Joe Johnson, yes.

[Siefer]

I don't really see a ton of similarities between Klay and Khris. Joe Johnson, yes.

Yeah, it's a reasonable comparison, at least aesthetically. I think Khris has been a better overall player for a couple of years now, and he's currently blowing JJ's best season out of the water.

[Je K]

Won't have to rename the thread for another year! Well deserved

[DavidDunn21]

Reminder that last year at this time Khris was named an All-Star while averaging 17.3/5.7/4.2 at 44/38/85 and sucking in most of the big games while getting benched for lack of effort.

This year he's an actual solid All-Star. For now.

[BradMKE]

Hope that All Star level of play doesn’t end when the playoffs start once again.

[Shaffty]

Reminder that last year at this time Khris was named an All-Star while averaging 17.3/5.7/4.2 at 44/38/85 and sucking in most of the big games while getting benched for lack of effort.

This year he's an actual solid All-Star. For now.

Hilarious how terrible youve gotten

[engelmartin]

I was wrong. Very, very wrong. I got down on Kha$h after the ECFs and thought the Bucks might want to choose Brogdon over him.

This efficiency on this usage is exceptional. This Middleton is a legitimate multiyear All-Star.

Middleton is now playing like Klay. It is sort of baffling that he's got this extra gear in him but we have not seen it consistently in prior years.

The contract immediately becomes worth it and non-debatable if the Bucks win a title this year (or next). Or Giannis signs the five-year super-max come July. However, until that point, the contract debate likely will still be legitimately in the background for a couple years.

Khris has been playing better than Klay. Much better rebounder and creator.

Plus, we will see how good Klay is when he's playing without Durant and Curry has lost a step. Klay is fine, but he's a bit overhyped from being on that historically overhyped GSW team.

[DanoMac]

Congrats to Khris, well deserved

[humanrefutation]

Congrats to Baby Joe Johnson!