Giannis Antetokounmpo deservingly won the NBA Finals MVP trophy, but that doesn't mean Khris Middleton wasn't as critical to the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 NBA title win.
There's no doubt Giannis had been the Bucks' best player throughout the entire playoffs. However, Middleton played his role really well and even stepped up as the team's closer in several games. According to Stat Muse, the 29-year-old led the playoffs in clutch points–proof of it was his 18 points on 75 percent shooting in the clutch during the NBA Finals.
Khris Middleton had 18 points on 75% shooting in the clutch in the Finals, the most by any player. The next closest player had 4 points.
He also led the entire playoffs in clutch points. pic.twitter.com/wmKjvdsf10
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 21, 2021
As ESPN also noted, Middleton tied LeBron James for the most game-tying or go-ahead field goals (15) in a single playoffs over the last 25 seasons. LeBron did it with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007.
"Money-Making Middleton" stepped up to the plate in a BIG way during the playoffs 😤 pic.twitter.com/BPjnAaIXkC
— ESPN (@espn) July 21, 2021
Khris Middleton's performance in crucial situations was what led to several players suggesting he could be the NBA Finals MVP, including Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum who was in awe of the swingman's clutch gene.
If bucks win this series how many votes does middy @Khris22m get for Finals MVP ? Bruh been serving and closing
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) July 18, 2021
True enough, without Middleton stepping up on the big moments, it would have been hard–or nearly impossible even–for the Bucks to win it all. The team already fell behind 2-0 to the Phoenix Suns, but Antetokounmpo's dominance and Middleton's big plays allowed them to stage a comeback and lift the Larry O'Brien trophy in the end.
Middleton deserves all the praise and recognition he is getting after winning the NBA championship with Antetokounmpo, and no one can deny him that.
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