Milwaukee Bucks: 3 secret x-factors to fuel NBA championship run

Milwaukee Bucks x-factor No. 2: Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton has been dealing with a wrist injury for most of the season, but the team hasn’t missed him. Middleton played in only 33 games. The emergence of Jrue Holiday as the number 2 in the scoring hierarchy has eased the need for Middleton’s scoring and playmaking.

Shifting from number 2 down to number 3 has increased the Jrue Holiday effect while decreasing the need for Middleton. Many of the Bucks’ losses have come from trying to ease Middleton back into the starting lineup. Spending much of his time coming off the bench, this strategy could have been effective for the Bucks, but his paycheck indicates he’s going to start.

In an ideal world, Middleton is a third option. With the magnitude of Giannis, Middleton could afford to be a Robin. Which Robin you may ask? He is definitely Tim Drake. An effective Robin can be overlooked and overvalued. If Middleton were on any other team, the third fiddle would serve him the best.

In order to get his mentality back to where it was, as more of a Dick Grayson-sized Robin, the Bucks have tried to ease him in off the bench and recently as a starter. Middleton can score and play make, both of which categories have been taken by Jrue Holiday.

The scoring order has been set with Giannis as the primary do-it-all superstar, followed by Jrue Holiday, leaving the third spot for Middleton. It is definitely a mentality shift but if anyone can handle it, Middleton can. Being bounced from Detroit, he has found a home in Milwaukee, but we will see if they re-sign him this offseason.