When you live in a place like Wisconsin or a city like Milwaukee, you get miffed about respect. It’s natural. We’re the little brother to Chicago, and we act like it sometime. It’s part of our appeal, and at times, it can lead to our annoying demise. NBA national media would like it if the Milwaukee Bucks did not exist. Milwaukee doesn’t do the engagement numbers and views like a story about Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Zion Williamson, or even the hapless New York Knicks. Therefore, Milwaukee’s success is put on a back-burner despite having MVP and doing incredible things. It is Milwaukee versus everyone at this point, and only the smart people want to praise Milwaukee.

After the Bucks big win in Toronto that should have been a top headline everywhere on sports talk radio, Colin Cowherd wondered what Golden State Warriors would look like with Giannis. This Warriors Reddit fantasy that has zero proof in it besides Giannis and Steph Curry liking each other. Stephen A. Smith went on First Take to talk about the Miami Heat as the top contender against Milwaukee. That’s the headline. There is nothing about Milwaukee winning 50 games before March 1st. Nothing on Milwaukee beat the NBA Champs on a back-to-back and three games in four nights. While the ‘look at me’ attitude can be fucking annoying, we have to speak out when praise is barely being handed out.

The worst part is it will only get worse in March. Milwaukee has a brutal schedule. A schedule that will likely lead to more losses and ultimately cost them the 70-win mark. I could be wrong, but I’m not going to go blind into this month. Therefore, the takes are going to get insufferable. My advice is to make peace with knowing that the Bucks aren’t the team they want to make to the NBA Finals. Boston and Philadelphia are ratings and headline hogs. Miami is a place where Stephen A. likes to go as he’s mentioned on broadcast before. Until Milwaukee proves to producers and executives they can make mone like the others, this will continue to happen no matter who is on the team.

As I noted, smart people understand the greatness of the Bucks. John Hollinger, a former NBA exec and writer, praised Milwaukee after their win on Tuesday along with a solid dig too. Zach Lowe, Howard Beck, Ryen Russillo, and others have gone out of their way to speak in high regard for what Milwaukee is doing right now. Those people matter. Marques Johnson says ‘The basketball heads’ know about the Bucks right now. That feels good. But it’s hard as a fan to keep hearing negative nonsense whenever you flip on ESPN or FS1 about your team. This would not be happening if the name Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Sixers as across the chest. Period.

The only way for this to go away and bury in the ground is for Milwaukee to win the NBA Championship. But I’m sure one of the top media people would find a way to spin how a Finals win means Giannis is leaving Milwaukee more than if they hadn’t won.

Charlie.