Khris Middleton broke a record held by Dirk Nowitzki, shooting 13 triples in one game. As he continues to rise as an All-Star, the Milwaukee Bucks are hoping that their new found talent will lead them into the playoffs.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton’s rise from second-round afterthought to undeniable star in the NBA is well documented at this point. After shattering a record held by one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in NBA history, he has established himself as one of the best wing players in basketball.Khris Middleton is a versatile player who can be counted on for three-point shooting, defense and hustle. He’s led the Milwaukee Bucks to an unexpected Eastern Conference Finals berth in his fourth season, one of only six players with that distinction since 1977
Khris Middleton Continues His Ascent From Second-Round Afterthought to Undeniable Star After Shattering a Record Held by One of the Most Prolific 3-Point Shooters in NBA History.
Khris Middleton’s numbers as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks are impressive, especially considering he was a second-round choice of the Detroit Pistons. Khash was traded to the Bucks in exchange for point guard Brandon Knight. He has gradually developed during his career, becoming a multiple-time All-Star and NBA champion.
To Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Batman, Middleton has been a reliable Robin. The biggest issue for the Bucks entering into last season was whether or not the Texas A&M graduate could be the second-best player on a championship team. The answer was yes, as we discovered in July.
Now, Milwaukee’s sharpshooting wing is starting to climb the statistical leaderboard. Middleton passed Hall of Famer Ray Allen to become the franchise’s leading 3-point shooter in a victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Khash has established himself as one of the NBA’s most reliable shooters.
In Game 5 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a jump shot against the Brooklyn Nets. | Getty Images/Steven Ryan
The Pistons selected Middleton with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He was chosen mostly for his shooting skills, since he lacks exceptional jumping ability, agility, or speed. With the Aggies, he was a strong one-on-one isolation scorer.
Middleton was acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal with the Detroit Pistons that also included point guards Brandon Knight and Brandon Jennings. The formal transaction, according to NBA.com, was:
Knight, Middleton, and Viachleslav Kravtsov are among the Bucks’ newcomers.
Brandon Jennings is on his way to the Pistons.
The two Brandons went on to have respectable careers, but they were never remarkable. K-Mid was the largest component.
For the Bucks, Khris stepped in as an instant deep threat. In his debut season in Milwaukee, he shot 41.4 percent from three and hasn’t gone below 35.9 percent since. (That season may perhaps be called an exception; he hasn’t had another season with a percentage below 37.8% since.)
During the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, the Bucks were the Eastern Conference’s top seed. Both years, Antetokounmpo was chosen NBA MVP, but Middleton was an integral component of Milwaukee’s success.
During the 2018-2019 season, he shot 37.8% from three-point range on 474 tries, which was the 21st highest in the league. That season, only six players had a higher percentage on as many attempts.
The next season, Khash shot 41.5 percent and 41.4 percent to help the Bucks win a championship. But he isn’t finished yet.
In one major NBA statistic, Khris Middleton just edged out Ray Allen.
The league’s offensive have expanded wider and more out from the hoop during the previous decade. Three-pointers have gotten more valuable, and knockdown shooters have become more valuable.
One of the men is Middleton.
When the Bucks signed the 6-foot-7 forward to a five-year, $177.5 million max deal in June of 2019, it raised a lot of concerns.
It was a significant quantity of money, but not an outlandish one for one of the league’s most underappreciated players. Middleton, who was 27 years old at the time, was coming off an All-Star appearance.
Middleton has now gone on to become a two-time All-Star and an NBA champion. Khash Money also became the franchise’s all-time leader in regular-season 3-pointers in the victory against the Thunder on Nov. 19.
According to NBA.com, Allen made 1,051 three-pointers in 494 games between 1996 and 2003.
Game 566 was Middleton’s No. 1,052 (he had 1,054 by the conclusion of the night). According to the 30-year-old through Bucks.com, it was the culmination of nine years of hard work:
It’s really exciting to be No. 1 in the franchise, passing Ray Allen, one of the finest shooters of all time. I implored Giannis, ‘Just give me one record,’ and he agreed. I’ve been with this group for nine years, and I started out as a 3-point shooter, but I’ve been able to improve my game over time, but having one of my ambitions realized here is incredible.
Khris Middleton on overtaking Ray Allen for first place on the Bucks’ all-time scoring list.
It seems like Giannis will allow Middleton to preserve the record. The Greek Freak is 658 seconds slower than Khris and shoots a poorer percentage.
Khris Middleton is expected to keep climbing the NBA’s 3-point leaderboard.
Allen has 2,973 three-pointers, which ranks him first all-time. I’m not convinced Middleton will reach that goal, but there’s a good chance he’ll finish in the top 50 at the conclusion of his career.
Between 2018 and 2021, WD-40 made an average of 155.75 3-pointers every season. Middleton, at the age of 30, might play for another six years if he remains fit. Including this season, Khash has 2,146 career 3-pointers through his age-36 campaign, if he maintains his average.
There are hundreds of current players ahead of Middleton on the list, but if he hits 2,000 threes, he’ll end in the top 25-35 all-time.
The Bucks could use some of Khris’ dead-eye shooting now that he’s healed. His squad is 8-8 this season and has been plagued by injuries. A Middleton hot run would boost the team’s victory total.
Khris showed last year that he could be the second banana on a championship-winning squad. He’s still flying beneath the radar, and he prefers it that way. Milwaukee may win back-to-back titles if Middleton has another quiet All-Star season and a couple more key postseason performances.
Basketball Reference provided all statistics.
RELATED: Milwaukee Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday Just Alerted the Basketball World by Claiming His Team Has Found Another Hidden Gem: ‘He Reminds Me of a Younger Khris (Middleton)’
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