Khris Middleton is part of the All-Star team again. On Thursday night, NBA announced that Middleton would be an All-Star reserve for the second straight year. Middleton might have been one of the biggest locks when it came to selecting All-Stars in the Eastern Conference. He is putting together a great season, and add to the fact, Middleton plays on a team with 41 wins in 47 games, all the votes locked him in. As Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said after Wednesday game, “Anyone who knows basketball understands how good Middleton is.”

Maybe, just maybe, this will continue the acceptance of Middleton as the second banana. I love Giannis like a son, but Middleton might more of a favorite player. I’ve always been a guy who likes players that aren’t loved by everyone else. I want people to wake up and realize how good this guy is. And how lucky Bucks fans are that they get to watch Middleton on a regular basis. It is such a joy to watch him give buckets to different guys in the league especially when they’re smaller than him (Shouts to Eric Nehm’s I Think You Should Leave GIF).

We all know what needs to happen for Middleton to gain acceptance from Bucks’ fans… a huge playoff series or playoffs. That is the only way that Bucks fans will welcome him with open arms (He averaged 19 points, shot 50% from three versus Boston but whatever). Middleton will never be people’s favorites because he’s not a flashy player. You don’t see the YouTube highlight reels of him. Or a demand to get his jersey. He would be the first option on a helluva lot of team. There is a bevy of playoff teams that would love him as a second option.

Congrats to Middleton on his second All-Star appearance!

Charlie.