Sidekicks: Best supporting players in basketball

Khris Middleton There's no denying the Milwaukee Bucks depend wholeheartedly on Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it's not outlandish to believe the Greek Freak's own success hinges on the contributions of Middleton. Gary Dineen / Getty

Playing setup man 👀 Eric Nehm @eric_nehm Something about the Lakers makes Khris Middleton want to put some nutmeg on his passes. In the first Bucks-Lakers matchup, he put one in between LeBron James' legs. Last night, it was Markieff Morris on Brook Lopez's poster dunk. Apr 1

“ He's really taken on a more impactful leadership role. The scoring and the threes, everybody sees, but I like how he's taken on leadership. Mike Budenholzer commends Middleton's locker room presence John Denton, The Associated Press Nathaniel S. Butler / Getty

Good luck stopping these two 🤯 NBA @NBA Middleton PINPOINT logo lob to Giannis! 🔭 📲💻: NBA LP Mar 4

Middleton in 2020-21 GP 51 PTS 20.3 REB 6.0 AST 5.4 STL 1.1 3P% 43.5 Dylan Buell / Getty

“ Not to disrespect any of the other players that made the team, they're all having great, great seasons, but Khris is an All-Star. Bottom line, he’s an All-Star. Giannis praises Middleton after his All-Star snub Eric Nehm, The Athletic Gary Dineen / Getty

Better together Middleton can carry games himself, but the Bucks truly shine when he's alongside Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee boasts a 9.8 net rating when they're on the court together, but that number drops to just 0.4 when Middleton plays without the Greek Freak. Gary Dineen / Getty

On the same wavelength 〰 Bally Sports Wisconsin @BallySportWI Giannis Antetokounmpo talks about playing with Khris Middleton: "We know how to play off each other." #FearTheDeer Feb 23