Former NBA vet reiterates importance of Khris Middleton in Bucks’ title hunt: "He was their closer when they won that championship"

As both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have massively carried the load for the Milwaukee Bucks this year, it left many to overlook the essence of Khris Middleton.

As it is, we couldn't blame the general disregard, as Khris spent most of the season on the team’s recovery chamber upon missing the Bucks’ 24 games. In addition, he was often subjected to strict minute restrictions, which ultimately led to reduced production on both ends of the floor.

Khris is the key

Even though he hasn’t played and contributed that much this 2023-24, that doesn’t take away the fact that Middleton will always remain an integral aspect in the Bucks’ championship hopes. From the viewpoint of former NBA veteran and current basketball analyst Chandler Parsons, Milwaukee’s chances to compete truly depend on the All-Star’s presence and play.

"[Khris Middleton] is the key,” he said in FanDuel TV’s Run It Back. “He was huge in the [Bucks] title run before, and he's huge now. He's been in and out he's been on a minute restriction. … It's a great luxury to have [him] because this is another guy — he was their closer when they won that championship. The ball was in his hands, he was the one to go get a bucket.”