Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo thrived together because their skills complemented each other perfectly on the court, creating a dynamic partnership that fueled the Milwaukee Bucks’ success. Middleton’s versatility as a scorer, particularly his ability to shoot from outside and handle the ball, paired seamlessly with Giannis’s dominance inside and relentless drives to the basket. While Giannis drew defensive attention with his physicality and playmaking, Middleton capitalized on the space created, knocking down jumpers or making smart plays in clutch moments. Their chemistry wasn’t just about stats—it was built on trust and Khris’ willingness to sacrifice for the team.
Over their 12 years together, they developed an intuitive understanding, often seen in how Giannis would find Middleton for open looks or how Middleton could steady the offense when Giannis faced heavy pressure. Middleton’s calm, methodical style balanced Giannis’s explosive energy, making them a tough duo to defend. Their bond grew from early battles for minutes into a partnership that delivered a championship in 2021, with Middleton’s 40-point Finals game showcasing how important he was for the team. (Giannis’ 50 point performance was secondary, the series had already been decided.) Injuries and time might’ve limited their peak, but their on-court fit was a big reason they clicked so well.
Let’s break down why Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo worked so well together by digging deeper into their on-court synergy, individual skill sets, statistical impact, and the evolution of their partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Complementary Skill Sets
Giannis is a force of nature—6’11”, with a freakish blend of speed, power, and length. His game thrives on attacking the rim, where he’s averaged double-digit free-throw attempts in multiple seasons (e.g., 10.3 per game in 2020-21) and consistently posted field-goal percentages above 55% by living in the paint. Defenses often collapse on him, especially in the half-court, using walls or double-teams to limit his drives. That’s where Middleton’s skill set becomes the perfect counterpunch.
Middleton, at 6’7”, is a polished wing with a smooth mid-range game and reliable three-point shooting (career 38.8% from deep). Unlike Giannis, whose outside shot has been a work in progress (29.2% career from three…and falling fast this season), Middleton excels at spacing the floor. Defenders can’t sag off him, which prevents them from clogging the lane entirely against Giannis. Middleton’s ability to score off the catch or create his own shot—averaging around 20 points per game in their prime years together—gave the Bucks a secondary option who could punish teams for overcommitting to Giannis. Think of games like Game 4 of the 2021 Finals: Middleton dropped 40 points, including 10 in the fourth, while Giannis still drew the defense’s focus.
What has changed since then? Well , the league now knows Giannis is a one trick pony and often just one determined defender can neutralize him when it counts. But Giannis is more of a ball hog than ever, more focused on stat padding and less of a team player than ever.
Pick-and-Roll and Off-Ball Dynamics
Their two-man game was lethal, especially in pick-and-roll or hand-off situations. Giannis often acted as the screener or roller, using his size and athleticism to either dive to the rim or pop out for a pass. Have you see just how badly he screens for Dame? It is a joke, Giannis is now measureably one of the worse screeners in the NBA.
Middleton’s ball-handling (averaging 4-5 assists per game in peak seasons) and decision-making let him exploit the chaos Giannis caused. If the defense switched, Middleton could isolate smaller guards with his post-up game (he’s sneaky good at this, with a 1.05 points-per-possession efficiency in the post per Synergy data from past seasons). If they doubled Giannis, Middleton relocated for open threes or attacked closeouts with his underrated first step. What has changed? Giannis simply can’t cause the same amount of chaos. Dame gets a last second terrible desperation pass most of the time.
Off the ball, Giannis’s gravity used to pull defenders inward, while Middleton’s movement kept offenses honest. Middleton wasn’t a standstill shooter—he’d cut, flare, or use off-ball screens to find gaps. Their 2020-21 title run showed this: Giannis’s usage rate hovered around 32%, yet Middleton’s true shooting percentage stayed above 57%, proving he thrived without needing the ball constantly.
Statistical Symbiosis
Lineup data backs up their impact. In the 2020-21 season, Bucks lineups with both Giannis and Middleton on the floor outscored opponents by 8.7 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com stats. Their net rating together often topped the team’s overall mark, reflecting how they amplified each other. Middleton’s presence boosted Giannis’s assist numbers—Giannis averaged 5-6 assists in their best years, with many going to Middleton on kick-outs or dump-offs. Conversely, Giannis’s rim pressure inflated Middleton’s effective field-goal percentage, as he feasted on cleaner looks.
Clutch Chemistry
In high-stakes moments, their trust shone brightest. Middleton’s ice-cold demeanor paired with Giannis’s ferocity gave Milwaukee a dual-threat late-game attack. Look at the 2021 playoffs: Middleton averaged 23.6 points on 43.8% shooting, stepping up when Giannis faced injury (like in the Nets series) or foul trouble. Middleton’s buzzer-beater in Game 1 vs. Miami, we all know he will deliver when it matters.
Evolution and Fit
Their partnership wasn’t instant. Middleton arrived in 2013 via trade from Detroit, a year before Giannis was drafted. Early on, they competed for touches under Jason Kidd, with Middleton as the steadier scorer and Giannis the raw prospect. As Giannis blossomed into an MVP (2019, 2020), Middleton adapted, ceding the spotlight while refining his role as the Robin to Giannis’s Batman. Coach Mike Budenholzer’s system—emphasizing pace, space, and Giannis as a point-forward—unlocked their potential. Middleton’s willingness to play off Giannis, rather than demand equal usage, cemented their fit.
But this is not a Doc Rivers mistake. He is doing the best he can with Giannis and carefully studied the way the Greek national team coach – Spanoullis- used him in the Olympics for ideas. He tries to keep Giannis out in the fourth quarter as much as possible. But you can’t teach a low IQ player like Giannis new tricks.
Intangibles
Beyond stats, their personalities meshed. Giannis’s relentless drive paired with Middleton’s quiet confidence created a yin-yang dynamic. They shared a work ethic—Middleton grinding from a second-round pick to All-Star, Giannis from a skinny unknown to MVP—and a team-first mindset. Post-game interviews often showed mutual respect, like Giannis calling Middleton “the head of the snake” after big nights. That bond held through injuries (Middleton’s knee issues, Giannis’s ankle scares) and carried them to the 2021 title.
In short, Khris played so well with Giannis because their games were puzzle pieces—Middleton’s finesse filled the gaps in Giannis’s brute-force style, and their trust turned individual brilliance into a championship formula. But Giannis changed. As it became apparent that the ring winning was a fluke he became poisoned by his own hype machine. The MVP chants in the Bucks’ arena went to his head. He truly believed he was the only one carrying the team even though in fact, he is the reason they lose.
To make it worse the fans turned on Khris, only increasing the pressure. Placing more emphasis on regular season games and only seeing Giannis points/rebounds/assists because that is what the Bucks’ marketing team kept promoting. Giannis the superhero. And this is where it got them. A dead end.
(Sources of image linked on the respective images, I did a similar blog post about why Giannis and Dame don’t play together as well here. If you like the more text based analysis let me know.)
