Khris Middleton is one of the main reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks are ruling the Eastern Conference this year. He became the secondary option on offense behind MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks have fully embraced head coach Mike Budenholzer's pass-first system, and it worked wonders for the team. They are currently 43-14, good for the top spot in the East, and things are expected to get better in the final stretch of the season for Milwaukee, who will be relying for Antetokounmpo and Middleton on both ends of the floor.
However, Middleton admitted that it wasn't easy for him to adapt to Budenholzer's playbook. In an interview with ESPN.com's Zach Lowe, he was frustrated with his head coach during the first few months of him calling the shots for the team.
“Things frustrated me and it was coming out the wrong way. I was floating through possessions. I was being used as a 3-point shooter instead of as someone who can do lots of things. [Budenholzer] saw that.”
Khris was known to be effective on isolation plays, something that the Bucks really didn't need him to do because they already have Giannis. Coach Budenholzer knows this and it is the reason why he wanted Middleton to change his game.
Eventually, it worked out for him and the Bucks.
He currently averages 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on his way to becoming a first time All-Star this year.
Middleton's acceptance of the role given to him is one of the reasons why the Bucks found a second star.
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