Toronto Raptors: Where do Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry rank as a duo?

7. Giannis Antetokounmpo & Khris Middleton

Despite being the NBA’s reigning and conquering MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo only clocks in at seventh here, courtesy of his teammate Khris Middleton. Still, to be this high on this list is a fairly impressive accomplishment.

Antetokounmpo delivered an outstanding display all season, averaging 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, the best numbers of his career across the board. He led the Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the NBA with a 60-win season and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

Middleton averaged 18.3 points, six rebounds, 4.3 assists per game. While his numbers fell from a year ago, he did suffer a decrease in his minutes. Middleton is a solid third star but feels a bit out of place as the second option on a title-contending team.

That looked no more evident than against the Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals. Middleton averaged an, ahem, average 13.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in six contests against the eventual title-winners. In truth, those averages were bulked up by a big Game 4 where Middleton knocked down 30 points.

Middleton is still an above-average player in the league though, he can score from all over the court and is a solid defender. The Bucks probably paid him too much this offseason, but they are putting all the talent behind Antetkoumnpo to make a run at the Finals, and that’s why this duo is ranked so highly.