In Milwaukee, the huge emotion of Khris Middleton

Four years after he made Bucks history with this title NBA championand a few months after his transfer to the Wizards, Chris Middleton he returned to the Fiserv Forum, this time in a different jersey. For the first time since his transfer, he stepped on the floor of Milwaukee as a visitor. The emotion was palpable: both for him, and for his former teammates, and for the entire audience that never forgot him.

As soon as the teams were introduced, the room rose to cheer former No. 22. The emotion grew even higher when the traditional two-minute tribute video appeared on the giant screens, showing his twelve seasons in Milwaukee: his decisive shots, his complicity with Giannis Antetokounmpoand of course, the 2021 NBA title banner.

At the end of the video, Khris Middleton walked to the free throw line alone, raised his hands to the stands… and Fiserv Forum exploded.

Bucks legend

“It’s strange, when you leave a place where you’ve spent so much time, you feel like a part of you stays there”he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “But that’s life. I’m happy to be back, see people, play here again.”

Traded to Washington last February, Chris Middleton turned the page on a unique adventure. Arriving in 2013 from the Pistons with a simple second-round draft status, he will be the thread of the Bucks’ transformation from a rebuilding franchise to NBA champions.

In twelve seasons, he became the best 3-point shooter in the history of Milwaukee, second in the number of games and minutes played, third in points and assists, and above all a three-time All-Star, Olympic champion with the USA team and of course NBA champion.

“It was like attending your own funeral”

But beyond the statistics, his duo with Giannis will remain etched in the collective memory. The complicity evident in their multiple hugs on the sidelines of the meeting, won by the Bucks.

“I know she didn’t like me saying that, but I told my mother that coming back here was a bit like attending my own funeral.” he failed. “That’s how it is for athletes. We move, we exchange, we have the right to tribute videos… and we see a part of our past lives again. It’s sad, in a way, but also exciting, because you realize how much you’ve achieved — and you’re there to see it, which makes the moment even more special. You get these flowers, you all thought you had these flowers, me. and people in general — are looking for: to feel that love, and to feel respected.”

With 23 points on 9/14 shooting, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, Khris Middleton proved he hasn’t lost a single touch. At the final siren, he received a third standing ovation. As he walked back into the visitor tunnel, he raised his fist, his eyes watering.

“The standing ovation is something really unique, I think. I didn’t expect so much love and respect from the fans… it’s amazing. I think we all imagine, when we’re kids, waving to a crowd of 20,000 people. And today I finally got to experience that moment. It was really great.”