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Milwaukee Bucks’ Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton commit to Olympics

By Steven Schauer

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday and shooting forward Khris Middleton have committed to play on team U.S.A.’s Olympic Team in Tokyo, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Both will be first-time Olympians.

Holiday was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team last week and has had stellar defensive efforts throughout the playoffs. I wrote about his outstanding play and noted that he finished the regular season ranked fifth in steals per game at 1.6.

Holiday’s defensive play was on full display in game 7 of the Eastern semifinal series against the Brooklyn Nets. With the Bucks ahead by two points and Kevin Durant attempting a 3-pointer to win the game, it was Holiday defending the former MVP.

In 11 playoff games this year he is averaging 15.2 points (39.8 percent), 5.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.4 steals.

Middleton has hit a number of clutch jumpers throughout the regular season, especially in the playoffs to keep the Milwaukee Bucks moving along. During 68 regular-season games, he averaged 20.4 points on 47.6 percent shooting. He also shot 41.4 percent from downtown, grabbed 6.0 rebounds, dished out 5.4 assists and had 1.1 steals per content.

Throughout these playoffs he is scoring 23.3 points, grabbing 8.0 rebounds, assisting on 4.3 field goals and stealing 1.5 passes per game.

Milwaukee swept the Miami Heat in the opening round with ease before fighting tooth and nail to get past the Brooklyn Nets in a 7-game series in the semifinals. The Bucks will square off against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals starting Wednesday night at 7:30 pm in Milwaukee.

Sports Illustrated is also reporting that 11 NBA players have committed to Team USA for the Summer Olympics.

Those 11 players are: Damiam Lillard (PG, Portland), Jrue Holiday (PG, Milwaukee), Devin Booker (SG, Phoenix), James Harden (SG, Brooklyn), Bradley Beal (SG, Washington), Jayson Tatum (SF, Boston), Kevin Durant (SF, Brooklyn), Khris Middleton (SF, Milwaukee), Kevin Love (PF, Cleveland), Draymond Green (PF, Golden State) and Bam Adebayo (C, Miami).

Team U.S.A. basketball has won three consecutive gold medals and 15 gold medals dating back to 1936. They also have one silver and two bronze medals.

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