Milwaukee Bucks: Reactions to Khris Middleton being named an All-Star

Many expected that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be the lone All-Star for the Milwaukee Bucks this season, but in a rather surprising turn of events, that will not be the case. Bucks fans were plesently shocked to learn Thursday night that Khris Middleton would be joining Antetokounmpo in Cleveland this season as an Eastern Conference representative.

This is Middleton’s third career All-Star selection, having earned the nod during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons prior to this one. The forward is averaging 19.6 points on .441/.382/.883 splits, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest this year, which are certainly All-Star-worthy numbers for the 30-year-old veteran. Perhaps his heroics from last year’s postseason run put him in a more favorable position, as he did not get selected last season.

Instant reactions to Khris Middleton earning his third All-Star selection for the Milwaukee Bucks

Many were shocked when they initially heard that Middleton would be an All-Star this season, but not because he was undeserving. Middleton has certainly earned the honors, but it was a shock to see him hear his name called due to his inconsistent play this year. Although the numbers will not properly reflect it, Middleton started the season putting up career lows in a handful of statistical categories. However, he has caught the hot hand as of late, and that must have boosted his case with the voters.

Perhaps fans were not shocked that Middleton was given the nod but that he was selected to the All-Star Game and fellow Buck Jrue Holiday was not. Many will argue that Holiday has been better than Middleton this season, mainly due to the latter’s slow start. Holiday had stepped up mightily in that stretch and has continued to do so throughout the entire season, as Milwaukee’s starting point guard has averaged 18 points on .495/.392/.755 shooting splits, 4.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

While he was not selected in the initial results, the guard will still have a chance to suit up for the All-Star Game as a potential replacement. Kevin Durant will likely not be playing due to injury, and the league will need to find a replacement. Holiday’s name will pop up in that conversation, and it would feel great to see him selected to play alongside Milwaukee’s two other All-Stars. For now, it remains clear that Holiday is still the most underrated player in the league, as he has been playing at a high level for so many years and has not been named an All-Star since 2013.

Although he was not selected, at least not yet anyway, Holiday likely will not be losing any sleep over it, and he certainly will not hold any animosity toward Middleton for making it. At the end of the day, Holiday remains focused on the bigger picture, and he will be glad for his teammates for getting the recognition they deserve. The only question is when Holiday will finally start to get his kudos for everything he has done for this Milwaukee team.

Nevertheless, this is more about Middleton making it. Congratulations to Middleton for earning his third All-Star nod!

Stay tuned to find out if Holiday will potentially join Antetokounmpo and Middleton in Cleveland as a potential injury replacement player.