Khris Middleton Appreciation Thread - Khris Thanks The City and Fans - Page 5

tedbrogen · Post #61 » by **tedbrogen** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 6:22 am

Mentioned this a few days ago but he deserves a statue for this alone: 40 points in the finals to tie the series at 2-2, closing down the ECF without Giannis with 34 points, and hitting the game winner in OT in his 52nd min against the Nets in game seven of the ECSF (aka the real finals that year). And that’s right he played all except one minute in game seven against the Nets.

And I’m leaving so many things off the list.

HKPackFan · Post #62 » by **HKPackFan** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 6:47 am

Watch on YouTube

This is literally the shot that started the entire playoff run. How many times did Middleton come up huge in this finals run? We got the best of Middleton again and again each series and it brought home a championship.

HKPackFan · Post #63 » by **HKPackFan** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 6:53 am

There are now only 4 players left from the finals run. Giannis, Bobby, Brook, Pat. Brook and Pat probably not much longer, and Bobby might not be around either.

Not complaining just feeling nostalgic and about 2021 and realizing not much left of that team. The basketball engine needs to keep turning if you want to stay a contender, no room for emotions and nostalgia.

Khris leaving makes this feel real. That championship team/era whatever you call it is now over. (Maybe new era can be built around GA but for now it definitely feels like a chapter just closed).

Thank you so so so much Khris Middleton.

Watch on YouTube

tedbrogen · Post #64 » by **tedbrogen** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 7:21 am

If only Midds hadn’t slipped in that wet spot. They’d have repeated…

RiotPunch · Post #65 » by **RiotPunch** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 7:47 am

I've had a complicated relationship with Khris Middleton throughout his tenure with our Milwaukee Bucks.

I was thrilled to get him as a throw-in amidst the Jennings/Knight trade. He quickly became a favorite of mine. He grew exponentially into a legitimate all-star caliber player. The standards I held him to rose to, probably, unfair levels. His inconsistency and lack of perceived ceiling brought my faith in him to an all-time low. There was a point where I was adamant that the best way forward was to move Khris rather than pay him what he would ultimately command. We *had* to cash in on Khash before it was too late and we would be burdened by his next contract.

Boy, was I wrong. Not only did he elevate his game even further, but he had a serious hand in bringing a championship to Milwaukee-- something I never thought I would see. I was at a random bar in Chico, CA, on my way up to Portland on vacation with my wife, bantering with bartenders about the frustrations of Aaron Rodgers, when I saw true greatness from Khris. Game 6, ECF, Atlanta. He TOOK THE **** OVER, and it was magnificent. Without him, Giannis would not have had the chance to win a ring. He continued to be a goddamn assassin in the Finals, and again, without him, Giannis would not have a ring. He got bucket after damn bucket. They **** did it.

Thank you for proving me wrong, Khris. I will be there when #22 is retired.

Here are some of my favorite memes from The Run:

Spoiler:

soxperry · Post #66 » by **soxperry** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 11:32 am

Im nowhere near ready for this thread. Im not really in denial, just completely disassociating from the reality that hes not a Buck. It will hit later.

Seeing him in Wizards colors is going to be sad.

Khris, if youre reading this, decline that player option next year and come on back for the tpmle. Ill buy you a burger at Kopps.

Plossum · Post #67 » by **Plossum** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 11:38 am

My fave Midds moment was the shot he hit in game 7 OT vs the Nets in 2021. That series and that game especially was such a slog. Midds was having a rough night but came up big when we needed it and hit that mid-ranger that gave us the lead we’d never surrender. Dude played 52mins that night and was exhausted.

Watch on YouTube

;si=6BXhBsyhEosqWl5b

Winning that game was so huge for the team. Really gave them belief they could go all the way.

Coach Carter · Post #68 » by **Coach Carter** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 1:08 pm

I think it was game 4, against the suns. We lose this game, we most likely lose the series. Khris put this team on his back and delivered. Against a set defense, his skill set made him our most important player and it goes without saying, we don't win a chip without him.

ShootingtheJ · Post #69 » by **ShootingtheJ** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 1:21 pm

Playoff assassin. Always showed up for the game that counted the most.

Baddy Chuck · Post #70 » by **Baddy Chuck** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 1:21 pm

One of the best to ever put on a Bucks jersey. Sad to see him go out this way, glad I got to watch him reach the heights he did.

JimmyTheKid · Post #71 » by **JimmyTheKid** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 2:06 pm

Thank you, Khris.

fansinceforever · Post #72 » by **fansinceforever** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 2:35 pm

Khris stepped up in a major way and became that 1B (despite the debates) that Jabari could not. For a team like the Bucks, that is some incredible luck. Your #2 overall pick in a (reportedly) stacked draft can't hack it but the throw in to the Brandon Jennings trade steps up to be your second best player on a championship team. Pretty remarkable stuff.

I've advocated for trading him for 2-3 years now but Khris is one of my favs and always will be. A calculated assassin and a very unique player.

I'll miss him.

GHOSTofSIKMA · Post #73 » by **GHOSTofSIKMA** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 3:42 pm

my favorite buck of all time. at some point replaced sid on my list. i also hope we havent seen the last of him in a bucks jersey. he needs to retire here

MissKhriddleton · Post #74 » by **MissKhriddleton** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 5:38 pm

One of the GOAT non-superstar players. Not sure what else you could ask for as far as being a teammate/winning contributor. Unselfish, but selfish when the team needed him to be. Clutch. Amazing in the 2021 run. Think his legacy will age extremely well.

I think the wet spot on the floor is equivalent with Durant's toe in that in an alternate reality the landscape of the NBA is completely different. Bud/Jrue/Khris still together, Boston doesn't win the finals, Giannis cemented top 10, etc. Sad.

DutchManDanFan · Post #75 » by **DutchManDanFan** » Thu Feb 6, 2025 11:55 pm

All time Bucks list:
Points: 3rd
Rebounds: 7th
Assists: 3rd
Steals: 5th
3's: 1st
Games played (RS): 2nd
Playoff games: 2nd
:bowdown:

MiltownMadness · Post #76 » by **MiltownMadness** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 12:27 am

DutchManDanFan wrote:All time Bucks list:
Points: 3rd
Rebounds: 7th
Assists: 3rd
Steals: 5th
3's: 1st
Games played (RS): 2nd
Playoff games: 2nd

3rd greatest Buck EVER and you can say 2nd if you're feeling real spicy, I won't judge ya

Matches Malone · Post #77 » by **Matches Malone** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 5:40 am

Read on Twitter

Post #78 » by **humanrefutation** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 6:12 am

Matches Malone wrote:

Read on Twitter

Nice video. But man, those Lisa calls are terrible. Why couldn't they use some Jim Paschke or Ted Davis pbp?

Siefer · Post #79 » by **Siefer** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 6:34 am

I'm pretty broken up about this one. Loved watching the man play. I'll never forget being in the building to watch him drop 40 on the Suns.

tydett · Post #80 » by **tydett** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 2:00 pm

For the Love of Money will never hit the same. I was a mid career skeptic of Khris and am so incredibly glad that I was so incredibly wrong. Still a guy you want to believe in because he's a good human being and teammate.

We've really been fortune to have great players who are good dudes to cheer for for years.