Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Khris Middleton had a phenomenal Game 3 against the Atlanta Hawks.
It was a scoring display that was absolutely needed and was flat out impressive.
Khris Middleton tonight:
38 PTS
11 REB
7 AST
6 3PT
15-26 FGThis is the 2nd time ever a Bucks player had a 30/10/5/5-three playoff game. The first time was also Khris Middleton. pic.twitter.com/eba0TdL2ET
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 28, 2021
Middleton played like a star, but some of us do not see that in him.
We mostly see a good player alongside their superstar player, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, Middleton has performed in the regular season and now the postseason.
Is Middleton an underrated player in this league?
Do we give him enough respect compared to other players around the league?
He appears to be a very underrated player and should earn some more respect from the public.
Here are three reasons behind that.
3. Consistency
One key for a star player in this league is consistency.
It is important to be able to perform at the same level, or higher, for consecutive years.
Middleton has been able to do that just that.
Three of the last four seasons has seen him average 20-plus points per game.
Also, his efficiency has improved as well.
In the last two seasons, he has shot over 40 percent from three.
In that same span, he has shot better than 46 percent from the field.
Middleton is a model of consistency.
That is not easy to do.
He is consistent as his team is winning.
That is all you want from a star on your team.
2. His Ranking Among Players
When we think of the top 25 players, or even 30, we sometimes forget about Middleton.
The public will throw in names that have not done what Middleton has done so far.
Middleton is a two-time All-Star and has been a part of a team with the best overall record in the league twice.
He is not a player that is not just along for the ride.
He is one of the key contributors for a Bucks team that has been great over the last couple of years.
His averages have never been extremely high, but his game is more well-rounded than others.
On the defensive end, he is very good at guarding the best wing player on the opposing team.
Middleton has consistently averaged six rebounds per game.
His passing has improved, going from 4.3 assists per game to 5.4.
Rankings might not have him in the top 25, but he actually deserves it.
1. Playoff Performances
The biggest test for players and their place in the league is during the postseason.
Not a lot of players have the chance, or some fold under the pressure.
Middleton has had a few subpar performances, but he has been able to muster up some great ones as well.
We saw in Game 3 that he was able to put the team on his back and push them to victory.
This wasn’t even the first time he had a performance like this in the playoffs this season.
He had 35 points in a big Game 3 win against the Brooklyn Nets to avoid going down 3-0 in the series.
Their best player knows that he is the closer on this team.
Giannis on Khris Middleton, the closer, in part: “I want to be a winner. I have the whole game to be ‘the guy.’ I don't care about being the guy in the fourth quarter. I trust Khris to death. If Khris asks for the ball, better give him the ball.”
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) June 28, 2021
Middleton is a star player when the bright lights are on him.
He is extremely underrated and deserves more recognition.
NEXT: Is Khris Middleton The True Star For Milwaukee Bucks?
