Bucks wing Khris Middleton, out since Feb. 6 with an ankle injury, spoke to reporters for the first time since his injury, writes Jim Owczarski of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Middleton said he couldn’t think of a worse ankle sprain he’d had than this one in terms of the pain he’s experiencing.
“After it happened I tried to play, run it off a little bit, see if it was going to loosen up or whatever. Just didn’t. Didn’t feel comfortable,” Middleton said. “Went into the back, tried to get re-taped, and as soon as I took my shoe off it just blew up. So had to shut it down.”
He said the process of recovery has taken longer than he’s hoped, but that he has seen improvement. He also said he wouldn’t rule out playing on Milwaukee’s road trip that ends against Sacramento on March 12. The only obstacle left before Middleton is able to return is continued swelling, according to Owczarski.
Middleton knows he needs to play soon to be able to get back to normal form in time for the postseason. He began the year on a minutes restriction and has only played three games under Doc Rivers. With only 19 games remaining in the regular season, Middleton, who is averaging 14.8 points per game this season, is eager to get back into game action.
“I want to get back out there,” Middleton said. “I need to be playing. I’ve been on a minute restriction most of the year so at this point I just need to be on the court. So, I’m fighting every day that I can.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Bulls coach Billy Donovan said Nikola Vucevic has been one of the team’s best defenders over the last three years, and the numbers back that claim up, writes Joe Cowley of Chicago Sun-Times. Vucevic consistently ranks among the team leaders in defensive rating, and Donovan likes the way he can utilize the 13th-year big man. “He’s not going to be as good as [Timberwolves center] Rudy Gobert in drop, but we felt comfortable switching with him in certain situations and putting him on different guys, and he understands how to gap and move his feet,” Donovan said. “He’s a smart defender. I would say he’s played very well for us defensively.“
- Bulls forward Torrey Craig, who hasn’t played since Feb. 14 and has played just six games since Dec. 16, made his return to the lineup against the Warriors on Thursday. According to NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson (Twitter link), he was on a restriction of 12-to-16 minutes.
- The Pistons signed Taj Gibson to a 10-day deal on Wednesday after he spent time with the Knicks earlier this season. Head coach Monty Williams explained the signing, saying that he envisions Gibson helping young players like Jalen Duren (Twitter link via The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III). “I just like having another veteran guy around our team,” Williams said, per Omari Sankofa II of Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). “You look at Evan [Fournier] and how he’s had an impact on the floor and some other areas. I told the guys how you approach your career can pay dividends down the road. He’s had a 15-year-career.“
bro is always hurt
Khris got his ring and gold medal and then his body went to sh*t. Bummer.
Bucks I don’t think have it in them to win the title. Doc was a terrible appointment and the teams never completely settled since the Dame trade.
This offseason, start by sacking Doc and appointing Mike Dantoni. Not everyone’s favourite or close to it but a true basketball genius who invented the 7 seconds or less offence which has helped shaped todays face paced, 3 point shooting offence.
After than swing big, Bobby Portis and this years first for Alec Caruso.
Then FA, you bring back Pat Bev. Caruso replaces Malik Beasley who I think gets paid this year. As a replacement I’d try grab Reggie Bullock. I’d also try my luck with Jalen Smith from the Pacers if he opts out and then going bring back another old head in PJ Tucker.
Dame Caruso Middleton Giannas Lopez
Bev Bullock Beauchamp Tucker Smith
Jackson Connaughton
Caruso is exactly what they need with his defend and shooting ability. That starting five rivals Boston’s for best in the league. Then off the bench Pat Bev is old but he still is a terrific leader and can do bits on both offence and defence. Bullock in decent minutes would have a Beasley like season of improvement shooting 40% from 3. PJ is a concern given how old he is and the lack of athleticism and fall off in shooting but your options are limited for the vets min. They’d also have the 35th pick in the draft and more roster spots to fill but this is the basis of what I’d like to see next year for them.
Dantoni invented scoring quickly? What a genius. No greater mind could have ever come up with such a novel approach to clock management. He must have single handedly created dominant team after dominant team with his ability to create plays that poured in points and won innumerable games for his teams.
Nfw the Bulls trade Caruso for Portis lol