Soaring Down South
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Position Rankings: Top 10 Shooting Guards in the NBA

By Collin Huguley

May 15, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) looks to play a ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) gives chase during the first quarter in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 116-89. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) looks to play a ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) gives chase during the first quarter in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 116-89. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton (22) during the game against the Miami Heat at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks won 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton (22) during the game against the Miami Heat at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks won 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Khris Middleton

Age: 25

2015-2016 Season Averages: 18.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals

Shooting Percentages: .444/.396/.888

Yes. Khris Middleton is a better all-around player than DeMar DeRozan.

When the Milwaukee Bucks get discussed in NBA circles, the guys who get mentioned are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker. Both guys have highly-regarded skill sets that are flashy and grab the spotlight.

That takes the shine off of Middleton, perhaps the key player in making the Bucks’ young core work.

When analyzing Middleton’s game, I challenge you to find a strong weakness in it. He is a Swiss Army Knife on both sides of the floor. At 6-8, Middleton is a long, slithery shooting guard that hurt you in so many ways.

Offensively, it starts with the perimeter shooting. With Antetokounmpo and Parker on the floor with no real floor spacer at point guard, Middleton’s range becomes so valuable. He is a career 40 percent shooter from beyond the arc and provides floor spacing that the Bucks do not have otherwise.

Middleton is also a fantastic creator with the ball in his hands. While Antetokounmpo is very ball-dominant, Middleton has a tremendous handle of his own. His basketball IQ is off the charts and he, like Giannis, can run the offense and find open guys. The Bucks have two wing players that are capable of running the point. That will be very dangerous, very soon.

But Middleton can also attack the basket. He is 235 pounds and can absolutely bully other shooting guards, and even small forwards, in the paint. His body control is excellent and he is often smart enough to create great angles to get his shot off.

On the defensive end, Middleton is elite. His size allows him to guard any position form shooting guard to power forward and he does it very well. He is capable of jumping passing lanes, as he averaged 1.7 steals per game this past year. He also uses his great length to smother opponents, and is very good at turning defense into offense in transition.

A former second-round pick, Middleton has always been overlooked. But I refuse to be one that does that any longer. His absence from the All-Star game this past year was ridiculous, but he will be there next season. Middleton is the total package and will be on this list for a long time.

Next: No. 3: The Alpha of Three Alphas

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