The Milwaukee Bucks Tangle With Opponents to Achieve NBA Superiority
"What have you done for me lately?" Sports fans often ask this question of their favorite squads. While teams should always strive towards another championship, we should never forget successful squads and players of the past. For example, though the Milwaukee Bucks have had limited playoff success during the past few decades, they were consistently NBA heavyweights during the 1970s and 1980s.
Rick Grantham is an avid sports fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on milwaukee bucks merchandise. Many articles are related to nba gift ideas and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village.
How did the Bucks become the Bucks, instead of the Ducks? The team held a "name the team" contest to select the new team name. Although 45 people chose "Bucks," someone named R.D. Trebilcox won the contest for his reasoning. He argued that Bucks were "spirited," "fast," and "agile."
The Bucks charged into the NBA as an expansion team during the 1968-1969 season. Unfortunately, they lost their first battle 89-84, as they clashed with the Chicago Bulls. The Bucks played like fawns during their premiere season, earning a 27-55 record. However, there was a silver lining in the cloud of finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Division. The Bucks won a coin toss that granted them the first pick in the next NBA draft. The team chose Lew Alcindor, the UCLA all-star.
Later, the Bucks made their first trip to the NBA Finals, just two seasons after acquiring Alcindor. They also added Oscar Robertson, an NBA player from the Cincinnati Royals. Alcindor and Robertson complemented each other, leading the Bucks to an outstanding 66-16 record. In the playoffs, the Bucks disposed of the San Francisco Warriors (4-1), and then the Los Angeles Lakers (4-1). In the NBA Finals, the Bucks trampled the Baltimore Bullets, sweeping them in four consecutive games.
Two years later during the 1973-1974 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (formerly Lou Alcindor), led the Bucks to a solid 59-23 season. Again, they easily charged through the playoffs. The Bucks first defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (4-1), and then the Chicago Bulls (4-0). However, the NBA Finals between the Bucks and The Boston Celtics was a true war. Jabbar scored his signature "skyhook" at the final buzzer during Game 6, forcing a Game 7. However, the Celtics prevailed 102-87.
During their franchise's history, eight former Bucks have entered the basketball Hall of Fame. These players include:
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Center): 1969-1975
Jabbar won two NCAA Championships before winning an NBA Championship with the Bucks. In 1970, Jabbar became the NBA's Rookie of the Year. He also was the league's MVP during the 1970-1971 season.
2. Bob Lanier (Center): 1979-1984
During Lanier's five seasons with the Bucks, they won their division's crown during each of those years. During his entire NBA career, Lanier averaged 20.1 points each game, and 10.1 rebounds each game.
3. Oscar Robertson (Guard): 1970-1974
Nicknamed "The Big O," in 1971 he received the second most votes for the All-Time NBA Team (Wilt Chamberlain was ranked first). Upon retiring, Robertson had scored 27,710 points in the NBA!
The Bucks have a history of winning, which includes two NBA Finals appearances and an NBA Championship. Use Milwaukee Bucks Merchandise to cheer on the team as they tangle with their opponents!
