Most Important Players For Every Eastern Conference Playoff Team

6. Milwaukee Bucks – Khris Middleton

Milwaukee’s aspiring roster is one full of power, brilliance and versatility. There’s 22 year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is the captain to the Bucks’ charge, leading them in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Next comes Greg Monroe and when healthy Jabari Parker, whom offer stability down-low. And of course how can you not forget the emerging talent of rookie Malcolm Brogdon?

All of these young players have meshed well for Milwaukee this season, however, none of them represent the player that I’m about to mention.

After suffering from a torn hamstring that cost him to miss the season’s first three and a half months, 6-foot-8 SG/SF Khris Middleton is now emerging as the Bucks’ hidden gem. In just 24 games this season, Middleton is proving to be more and more of a focal point within Milwaukee’s game plan. He’s doing it all for them, whether that be scoring at a moderate rate (15.5 PPG), rebound consistently on the defensive-end (grabbing 3.8 DRebs per game), or shoot a high percentage from three – 44.8 percent.

With Parker out for the remainder of the season with another ACL tear, Middleton has spent a good dose of minutes at the 4 spot. It’s safe to say that with Middleton’s emergence, head coach Jason Kidd won’t mind using him as a “stretch-four” (if you really want to call it that) when he decides to go small at any point during the playoffs.