Now, with over a third of the season in the books, Middleton is shooting 51.6% from the floor, 45% from the three-point line and 91.6% at the free-throw line. It is no longer just a hot streak. “I don’t think most people truly understand, unless you’re a Khris Middleton fan, family member or in his local market, the journey that he’s had and the remarkable steps he’s made in his career,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “He was a throw-in in an early trade in his career and he’s turned himself into a perennial all-star. You know he can shoot the three. You know he can take smaller guys into the post and post-up efficiently.