The Milwaukee Bucks recently decided to bench Khris Middleton for the foreseeable future, starting in their 121-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs, and the 33-year-old swingman is not bothered at all.
The three-time NBA All-Star opened up on the team’s decision with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jim Owczarski, saying he understands where head coach Doc Rivers is coming from.
“It was just brought that it’s probably best that with my minute restriction that with the way rotations work to come off the bench to play more meaningful minutes,” Middleton said about his conversation with Rivers.
“I mean, I know what type of player I am,” he added. “Just for the time being I need to come off the bench. It is what it is. But I’m confident in this team, I’m confident in myself and this is the role I have to play for the time being.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard explain how Khris Middleton’s benching will benefit the Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have also bought into Doc Rivers’ plan to have Khris Middleton come off the bench. According to the two Milwaukee Bucks stars, such a move should help their co-star regain his confidence and rhythm after coming off an offseason surgery to fix his ankles.
“It gives him a lot of freedom to be himself, to operate,” Antetokounmpo said about Middleton. “So, no matter if he starts or doesn’t start, he’s definitely going to finish the game because he’s a player with a very high IQ who can make shots, get into good plays, can defend. It’s just good to have him out there competing with us.”
“Now with that situation happening, I think it just makes us better right now because he’s going to be able to handle the ball, he’s going to be in a position to do more in that second group. You got second groups having to deal with Khris Middleton,” Lillard added.
