Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton surfaced as a legitimate 20-point threat last season after finally breaking out of the high-teens scoring bubble and posting his first 20-point scoring average next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Another bombastic season could put Middleton in the All-Star Game crosshairs, especially under the newfound leadership of Mike Budenholzer, who has the Bucks holding the second-best record in the East.
Middleton, a Charleston, SC native, would be playing next to his hometown, as the All-Star game is set to take place in Charlotte, NC next year, able to play in front of those near and dear to his basketball journey.
“It would definitely be cool,” Middleton told Sean Deveney of Sporting News. “First, just to be part of All-Star, that would be a dream come true for me. But then to be in the closest city, next to Charleston, that would be even more special. To have family and friends be able to come there and support, that would mean the world to me.”
Antetokounmpo, who has seen Middleton's rise to the next level, thinks he should have been an All-Star this past year, full-knowing just how his own success depended on Middleton's shotmaking ability from the perimeter.
“I thought he should make it last year,” Antetokounmpo said. “This year, I think, he has to make it, to be an All-Star. My success comes because of him because he can shoot and the defense has to be out there to guard him. So, I tell everyone to vote for him.”
The Bucks' record at the halfway mark of the season was not good enough to warrant two players named to the All-Star festivities, considering Antetokounmpo was named a starter. This time around, Milwaukee might give the NBA no choice but to look at Khris Middleton as one of the fast-rising wings who merits a spot among the league's best.
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