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Khris Middleton won’t be thinking about anything for now other than what the Milwaukee Bucks are trying to achieve in the NBA playoffs.
An invitation to play in the Olympics, this is not usual.
Milwaukee guards Middleton and Puppy Holidays have begun planning to play for the United States at next month’s Tokyo Olympics, yet both insist that doesn’t distract them from the Bucks’ quest to win their first NBA title in 50 years.
“We’re in the middle of a championship race,” Middleton said. “To take a second to think of something outside of this season, it was a bit difficult to think of. But it was an easy decision for me to go ahead and commit.”
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Middleton, Holiday and Devin Booker of Phoenix are the three members of the squad, as it is currently built, to remain in the NBA playoffs. The Bucks were in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks. The Suns face the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Finals.
The rest of the Olympic team: Boston’s Jason Tatum, Miami’s Pam Adebayo, Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant, Chicago’s Zach Lavigne, Cleveland’s Kevin Love, Portland’s Damien Lillard, Detroit’s Jeramy Grant, Washington’s Bradley Beal and Golden State’s Draymond Green. These nine players will begin training on July 6 in Las Vegas.
Middleton, Holiday and Booker plan to join the team once the NBA seasons are over. NBA will take them to Tokyo separate from the rest of the Olympic team if necessary. The American team plans to arrive in Tokyo around July 21, two days before the opening ceremony. Game seven of the NBA Finals, if necessary, will be on July 22, and the US men’s first game at the Olympics will be on July 25.
“I think I’m always focused on what’s happening now,” Holiday said. “That was my main focus, and it always will be.” “If we go to the finals or whatever happens, up to that point, that’s what matters.”
The 2021 NBA playoffs will produce a new champion, with the Lakers out. None of the remaining four teams have won a title since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.
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I’ve experienced the Olympics holiday before – as a fan. His wife, Lauren Holiday, won Olympic gold medals as part of the US women’s soccer team in 2008 and 2012, and now he’s hoping to add to the family’s medal pool.
“I thought it would be cool to try it out from actual play,” Jrue Holiday said.
Middleton said making the Olympic decision during the playoff round was “a little tricky,” but he was able to quickly refocus once he committed to the NBA game. Holiday also said it wasn’t a very difficult choice.
“I don’t think I should have moved my focus,” Holiday said. “I think it’s an honor to play for your country, and especially an opportunity like this to be able to get out there and have ‘USA’ on your chest.”
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