Hoops fans and experts around the globe know that Giannis Antetokounmpo is the alpha dog of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Greek Freak is likely going to repeat as NBA MVP as the Bucks gun for 70 wins. However, don't overlook Khris Middleton's massive role in Milwaukee's success.

Middleton, now in his seventh season of service with the Bucks, is quietly putting together the best season of his career in the NBA. He has made 46 appearances in this campaign (43 starts), racking up averages of 20.5 points on 50.5 percent shooting from the field (43.9 percent from beyond the arc), 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a steal in 29.5 minutes per outing. Several of these marks are career highs for Middleton, including his points, rebounds, assists and field goal percentages, and that's despite the limited playing time thanks to so many Bucks blowout victories.

At 6-7, Middleton runs the floor well and is efficient in pick-and-rolls. He also stretches opposing sides with his ability to knock down shots from the perimeter. He can play defense, too, making hime one of the league's best two-way players.

As good as Antetokounmpo is, the Bucks have been just as dominant when Middleton is on the court without him. In fact, Milwaukee has the best offense in the league by a wide margin in those scenarios, and Middleton even scored 51 points in a game earlier this season without Giannis. The Bucks are 5-0 without Antetokounmpo this season.

Middleton and Eric Bledsoe had 28 points apiece in Monday night's 123-111 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The Bucks were without the services of Antetokounmpo, as he and his girlfriend welcomed their first child.

Sacramento was nipping at the Bucks' heels well into the fourth quarter. However, Middleton came up with a big deflection/steal in the closing minutes that led to a breakaway dunk. The former second-round pick finished with 28 points on 9-of-21 shooting (4-of-8 from downtown), 11 rebounds and eight assists.

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer praised Middleton for his timely play:

“Khris knocks the ball away, gets the deflection, and then gets out and gets the break,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said, via ESPN. “I think it was a six-point game right then and they had the ball and a chance to maybe cut it to four, instead we're back up to eight and feel more confident.”

As a testament to his current level of play, Middleton now has seven straight games with 20 or more points:

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During his postgame media availability, Middleton noted that the Bucks, who have now won five straight, can “still hold it down” without Giannis:

Impressively, Middleton is on pace for the elusive 50/40/90 mark, which is a shooting percentage at or above 50 percent for field goals, 40 percent for 3-pointers, and 90 percent for free throws during an entire NBA regular season while also achieving the minimum number of makes in each category. Only nine players in NBA and WNBA history have achieved this feat.

He may not be as well-known as some of the NBA's bigger stars, but Khris Middleton is a name that should be recognized even more as he prepares to head to Chicago for the All-Star Game. Let's see if he can continue this level of play as the regular season comes to an end and the Bucks attempt their postseason march to a title.