Khris Middleton’s return from injury should wake the Bucks from their slumber

This calendar year has been a disappointing one for Milwaukee Bucks fans, who have been forced to watch as their team’s playoff hopes slowly slip away.

After a promising start to the season, the Bucks are 4-12 since Jan. 4. Once seemingly guaranteed a playoff spot, a 22-28 record makes them the 10th seed and on the outside looking in.

But the team’s fortunes might change for the better starting Wednesday night. Khris Middleton — the Bucks’ leading scorer last season and one of the league’s most versatile swingmen — is making his season debut against the surging Miami Heat.

Middleton will return ahead of schedule after undergoing surgery for a torn hamstring last September, which was expected to keep him out until March. Middleton’s left hamstring tore completely off the bone during an informal workout causing what many considered to be a freak injury.

It goes without saying that his teammates are excited to see him back in action, however:

Parker was being facetious, but there are a number of reasons why the 6’8 Middleton could actually save the Bucks’ season.

Middleton averaged 18 points per game last year, along with more than four assists and nearly four rebounds. His 6’11 wingspan allowed him to shoot right over defenders or finish inside with relative ease:

The 25-year-old was also extremely effective from the outside, shooting nearly 40 percent from three on almost five attempts per game. Although the Bucks are seventh in the league in three-point percentage this season, they rank just 25th in attempts. Middleton’s sniping ability should be a major boost over Tony Snell, a streaky spot-up shooter, who is averaging just eight points per game.

The Bucks are a middle-of-the-pack offensive squad, relying on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Parker for the lion’s share of the team’s points. The two both average over 20 points a game, with no other player on the team averaging more than 11.

Middleton’s sharpshooting, slashing and playmaking ability make him a legitimate third option on a Bucks team that desperately needs one.

Using his quickness and long arms to disrupt shooters and get steals (he averaged 1.7 per game last season), Middleton has proven to be more than competent on the defensive end.

Snell, though a serviceable defender, is much less explosive and has never averaged more than half a steal in his career.

With the likes of Giannis, Parker and John Henson roaming the paint and deflecting passes, the Bucks’ length already causes problems for their opponents. The team ranks eighth in steals per game and seventh in blocks. But the Bucks are below-average defensively overall, as they are just 23rd in points allowed per 100 possessions. With Middleton as a key cog two years ago, the Bucks had the league’s second-best defense.

Assuming that Middleton is able to repeat the production we saw from him last season, the Bucks could vault right back into the playoff picture. He’ll come off the bench on Wednesday and play just 20 to 25 minutes, but it’s clear that both his fans and teammates eagerly awaiting his return.

And maybe he’ll provide just the boost Antetokounmpo and Parker need to showcase their talents on a wider stage in the postseason.