Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton was distinguished with his second straight All-Star honor this week. The 28-year-old former second-round pick firmly cemented his revitalized NBA career co-starring along with last year's MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Originally a role player first taken by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft, competing there for one season before arriving in Milwaukee, Middleton transformed his career narrative—and all it took was playing with Antetokounmpo.
Middleton reacted to this week's All-Star reserves news by calling it not a “fluke” he was invited to his second All-Star Game. Via Eric Woodyard in ESPN.com).
“It just proves that the first time really wasn't a fluke,” Middleton said. “I earned it last year. I again earned it this year so it's definitely just a proud moment, not only for myself but for this team. We've got two All-Stars but we should've had three or four I thought, but it's still a great feeling.”
Middleton's second All-Star Game appearance occurs Feb. 16 in Chicago, Illinois. It comes on the heels of teammate Antetokounmpo's strong words in defiance of point guard Eric Bledsoe's seeming absence. Bledsoe, 30, a ten-year NBA veteran, is averaging 15.5 points and 5.2 assists this season with the Bucks. However, the “Greek Freak” believes the floor general on the league's best team is deserving of an All-Star nod.
“I want to be honest. I feel like at times that we don't get as much respect and it's OK, we haven't earned anything, at the end of the day,” Antetokounmpo said during shootaround, ahead of Friday's game against Denver. “I think [Eric Bledsoe] should've made the team. We have a great team. We have guys that don't play a lot of minutes.
Giannis will have to settle with playing with Bucks teammate Khris Middleton in Chicago next month.
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