Milwaukee Bucks: 3 bold predictions for the defending champs in 2021-22
By Dalton Sell
Bold prediction No. 2 — The Milwaukee Bucks will have three players participate in the 2021-22 All-Star Game
The Bucks had just one All-Star on their roster during their title-winning campaign, a number that should certainly increase next season.
As he has been for the past five seasons, Giannis Antetokounmpo is virtually a lock for an All-Star nod next season. The reigning All-Star Game MVP has cemented his status in the upper echelon of players in the NBA today, and he will be a starter in the game once again next season, barring any unforeseen occurence. The Bucks will have at least one All-Star representing them in Giannis, but the biggest question is who will be joining him.
Khris Middleton seems like the likeliest candidate after being snubbed from earning a nomination last season despite averaging some of the best numbers in his career. If the forward can average reputable numbers once again, he will likely get the proper consideration this time around, as it seems like he has started to get his well-earned respect following this title-run. Middleton should have a strong case to notch his third All-Star nod with the Bucks next season if he can pick up right where he left off.
While the cases for both Antetokounmpo and Middleton are rather concrete, Jrue Holiday is where things could get interesting. The guard has been considered the league’s most underrated player for the past several years, a moniker he eradicated in this past playoff run. Holiday has racked up just one All-Star nomination back in his career, which came back in 2012-13, and this recent run should spin some spotlight in his direction. He is coming off an impressive season with the Bucks, and if he can have another productive year in 2021-22, he could finally earn another All-Star nod. He will face some stiff competition in players like James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Trae Young, but it is an achievable goal for Holiday.
If these three could all earn All-Star recognition, it would be the very first time since the 1974-75 season when they had three All-Stars – Jim Price, Bob Dandridge, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.