Bucks' Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday say Olympics is not a distraction amid playoff run

Milwaukee Bucks stars Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday recently announced they would be participating in next month's Tokyo Olympics, committing to play for Team USA. 

Because of that, some fans feel that the duo might be distracted amid the Bucks Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Middleton insisted he's currently only focused on bringing a title to Milwaukee. 

"We're in the middle of a championship run," Middleton said, according to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "To take a second to think about something outside of this season, it was a little tough to think about it. But it was an easy decision for me to go ahead and commit."

Holiday added that he's only focused on what's currently happening. 

"I think I'm always focused on the immediate, what's happening right now. That's been my main focus, and it's going to continue to be that," Holiday said. "If we go the Finals or whatever happens, up until that point, this is what matters."

Middleton and Holiday will be competing in their first Olympics this year. 

Holiday added that he wanted to experience the Olympics by actually competing. The 31-year-old has experienced the Games as a fan, supporting his wife, Lauren Holiday, who won Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women's soccer team in 2008 and 2012. 

Middleton, Holiday and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker are the only members of Team USA still competing in the NBA playoffs. The Bucks and Hawks series is currently tied 1-1, and the Suns lead the Los Angeles Clippers 2-1 in the Western Conference finals. 

Game 7 of the NBA Finals, if necessary, would be July 22. Team USA's first game at the Olympics is July 25. If the Bucks and Suns reach the finals, Middleton, Holiday and Booker wouldn't have much time to rest before heading to Tokyo. 

Regardless, the trio will be ready to join their Team USA teammates to compete for gold on the world's biggest stage.