Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is gearing up for the upcoming NBA season with renewed optimism and determination, despite undergoing surgeries on both ankles during the offseason. The Bucks' management remains hopeful that their star player will be ready for the start of the season, even though he hasn't been cleared for five-on-five action just yet.
Offseason Challenges
Middleton's previous season was marred by significant ankle issues, limiting him to just 55 games. The problems began in February when he sprained his left ankle during a game against the Phoenix Suns, an injury that sidelined him for nearly six weeks. Returning to play in late March, Middleton faced another setback when he sprained his right ankle during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Although he managed to avoid missing any games due to the latter injury, the Bucks were ultimately eliminated by the Pacers in six games.
The surgeries Middleton underwent during the offseason were directly related to the ankle sprains he suffered during the previous season. Including these recent surgeries, Middleton has now had procedures on his wrist, knee, and ankles over the past two seasons. Despite these challenges, the Bucks are optimistic about his recovery and future contributions to the team.
Coach and Management's Confidence
Bucks' head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed that Middleton will participate in the upcoming training camp, albeit with some limitations. Rivers noted, "He'll participate in camp. We won't have him doing a lot of live action, coming off the surgery and all that. But all our skeleton work, all our transition work, our transition defense, our conditioning work, he'll be on the floor with us."
Echoing Rivers' sentiment, Bucks' general manager Jon Horst emphasized Middleton's progress, saying, "Khris is doing really well. It's just a normal offseason clean-up procedure. He literally is on the court right now as we're talking. He'll be a very active participant in camp, so Khris is also healthy." This vote of confidence from both the coach and the GM underscores the importance of Middleton's presence to the Bucks' overall strategy and morale.
Looking Forward
The Bucks' training camp will be held at UC-Irvine’s campus in California, and while Middleton will be limited in live action activities, his active participation in other aspects of the camp is seen as a positive step. The team's first preseason game is scheduled for October 6 against the Detroit Pistons, a critical timeframe for assessing Middleton's progress and readiness for the regular season.
Middleton's Perspective
For Middleton, the offseason has been a time of reflection and learning. He shared insights into his mindset, stating, "Knowing my limits, knowing what pain is, knowing what you can play through and when it's not smart playing through. I've learned that a lot over the last couple years. And that's not saying I played when I wasn't supposed to be playing or I played when I shouldn't be playing. It's just experience, going through the years and talking to other people that's been through similar situations. I'm always going to be learning something about myself and my body as I get older."
This mature approach highlights Middleton's commitment to both his personal health and the team's success. As a veteran player, his ability to manage injuries and recover effectively is crucial not only for his career longevity but also for the Bucks’ aspirations in the highly competitive NBA landscape.
In preparation for what they hope will be a successful season, the Bucks are taking a cautious yet optimistic approach with Middleton. His experience, combined with the lessons learned from past injuries and surgeries, provides a foundation for his anticipated return to top form. The upcoming weeks of training camp and preseason games will be vital in determining just how ready Middleton is for the season ahead.
As fans and the Bucks organization eagerly await his full return to action, there is a collective sense of anticipation. If Middleton can navigate through this period of recovery and preparation successfully, he will once again be a pivotal figure in the Bucks' quest for NBA supremacy.