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Milwaukee Bucks’ Holiday, Middleton not distracted by Olympics inviations

By Steven Schauer

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates what would be the game winning shot in overtime during game seven of the Eastern Conference second round against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on June 19, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111 to win the series. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates what would be the game winning shot in overtime during game seven of the Eastern Conference second round against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on June 19, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111 to win the series. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are two parts of the Milwaukee Bucks ‘Big 3’ and are deep in a playoff run, needing three wins to reach the NBA Finals. The duo accepted an invitation on Tuesday to play for Team U.S.A. in the Tokyo Olympics.

One would think that such a life-changing decision would be a distraction, but it hasn’t been. Both are first-time Olympians.

"“I think I’m always focused on the immediate, what’s happening right now. That’s been my main focus, and it’s going to continue to be that,” Holiday said in a story written by the Associated Press. “If we go to the finals or whatever happens, up until that point, this is what matters.”"

Holiday this season has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team and has been a key contributor to the lineup both offensively and defensively. He was fifth in the league during the regular season for steals per game (1.6 ). Holiday is also the Bucks facilitator on offense and has recorded three double-doubles this postseason with 10-plus assists.

The 12th-year pro has experienced the Olympics before through his wife, Lauren Holiday, who won Olympic gold medals as part of the U.S.A. women’s soccer team in 2008 and 2012.

Middleton, meanwhile, is having one of his better seasons with the Bucks. The guard is dishing out a career-best 5.4 assists per game to go along with his 20.4 points and 6.0 rebounds.

He is the perfect compliment to go alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. During this postseason run, he has scored over 30 points twice, including a 38-point outing in game 6 against the Brooklyn Nets.

"“We’re in the middle of a championship run,” Middleton said. “To take a second to think about something outside of this season, it was a little tough to think about it. But it was an easy decision for me to go ahead and commit.”"

The Milwaukee Bucks have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in three seasons.

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