Feb 20, 2014; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue alumni and NBA veterans Glenn Robinson (right) and Brian Cardinal (left) watch at court side in the 2nd half as Michigan State defeats Purdue at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Continuing our look at the franchise’s great players, let’s go back in time and delve deep into the history of the Milwaukee Bucks.
More from Bucks All-Time Lists
- Ranking Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 10 best Bucks teammates of all time
- How well do you know the Milwaukee Bucks’ top 20 career point leaders?
- 5 Worst signings in Milwaukee Bucks history
- 5 Players the Milwaukee Bucks gave up on way too soon
- Milwaukee Bucks memories: 10 best Giannis Antetokounmpo moments
Our goal is to try to identify the franchise’s All-Time 15 man roster, their greatest starting five, and highlight the work of some of the franchise’s greats who may have flown under the radar.
Having looked at the backcourt options already, this time we move on from the guards to the wing forwards.
The Bucks have had a terrific variety of small forwards over the years, and a common theme amongst the players who are mentioned on this is an all-round balance of fundamental basketball skills. The greatest small forwards in Bucks history have all been able to score, pass, rebound and much more.
Who are the greatest small forwards in franchise history though?
That may not necessarily be who had the greatest individual numbers, but who left the most significant marks in the history of the Bucks, and who made the teams they played on that much better?
Let’s look at some of the contenders below, and at the end, don’t forget to vote for the three small forwards who you feel deserve to be in with a shot of making the final 15 man All-Time Bucks roster!
The final results will be decided by a combination of readers votes and opinions and those of our staff here at Behind The Buck Pass, so make sure to have your say.
Next: The Greyhound
Bob Dandridge
Dandridge’s name will be familiar to even some of the younger Bucks fans out there, thanks to the fact that his no. 10 jersey was retired by Milwaukee towards the end of last season.
Although Dandridge could affectionately be referred to as the third wheel of Milwaukee’s championship team due to being paired up with Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, his role in the history of the franchise should not be downplayed in any way.
After that famous duo had left for different cities, Dandridge remained in Milwaukee making an impact at the start of a new era for another successful Bucks team.
Even though, Dandridge would eventually move on to the Washington Bullets where he would remain for four seasons, fittingly he returned to Milwaukee to finish off his professional career.
Dandridge’s game mixed dynamic scoring with an intelligence which made him a skilled playmaker and master of the box-out. He was an ever-reliable in every way.
As a Buck, Dandridge averaged 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Next: The Point Forward
Marques Johnson
After only picking up 30 wins and missing the Playoffs in 1976-77, the Bucks were lucky enough to get a rebuilding shortcut in the form of a young Marques Johnson.
Johnson arrived in Milwaukee as a 21-year-old, third overall pick, in the post-Kareem era, but he wasn’t daunted in any way by his new team’s recent history.
The Louisiana native came straight in to average 19.5 points and 10.6 rebounds as a rookie, and act as a pivotal force in Milwaukee’s resurgence.
Johnson went on to play seven full seasons for the Bucks, making four All-Star appearances in the process. In fact, in his second season as a pro he was selected to the All-NBA First Team.
Even after leaving Milwaukee, Johnson continued to be a success, as a player who very much resembled the vision that we’ve all since become familiar with as the modern day mold for elite small forwards.
Fondly remembered as a Buck, for his time in Milwaukee, Johnson averaged 21.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Next: The Rubber Band Man
Paul Pressey
Not unlike so many of the Bucks other great small forwards who appear on this list, Pressey was incredibly versatile as a three.
Pressey’s varied skill-set was a key component of Milwaukee’s relentless run through the 80’s. The Bucks never missed the post-season in that decade, and it’s not hyperbolic in any way to lay a large slice of the credit for that at the feet of Pressey.
Pressey and Moncrief were the perfect wing tandem during that time, and part of what made Milwaukee so tough to stop was the fact that on any given night they had so many players who could step up and be “the guy”.
Pressey influenced games in a variety of ways. He was an able scorer who would not only accumulate points off the dribble and with jump-shots, but also with a wicked post game. He passed like an elite point guard, and he was such a lockdown defender that he was named to the All-Defensive First Team in both 1985 and 1986.
As a Buck, Pressey averaged 11.9 points, 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals.
Next: Junior
Ulysses Lee “Junior” Bridgeman
It’s funny how things pan out sometimes. There’s perhaps been no player more important in Bucks history than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and yet if he hadn’t been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee would have a different All-Time appearances leader right now.
After being drafted by the Lakers with the eighth overall pick of the 1975 NBA Draft, Bridgeman was immediately traded to Milwaukee along with Brian Winters, Elmore Smith and David Meyers in exchange for Kareem.
The Indiana native would go on to play in Milwaukee for ten seasons in total, amassing 711 total appearances as a Buck. Often filling a Sixth Man role for the team, the type of drive that led Bridgeman to be successful after basketball, was just as important in ensuring he seized every minute he spent on the floor in the NBA.
Much like Bob Dandridge, Bridgeman left Milwaukee towards the end of his professional career, but then returned for one final hurrah in MKE. Bridgeman’s no. 2 jersey hangs from the rafters in the Bradley Center.
With the Bucks, Bridgeman averaged 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
Next: Big Dog
Glenn Robinson
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kent Benson, Andrew Bogut, and Glenn Robinson all have the honor of being number one overall draft picks selected by the Milwaukee Bucks. Outside of The Captain, there can be little doubt that Robinson was the most influential of that bunch during his time in Milwaukee though.
After an outstanding college career with Purdue, Robinson arrived in Milwaukee and made an impact from day one. Robinson averaged 21.9 points and 6.4 assists as a rookie on his way to making the All-Rookie First Team, and finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting to Grant Hill and Jason Kidd.
Although there wasn’t enough talent on the Bucks roster to allow them to really make a mark in Robinson’s early years, he teamed up with Vin Baker to form a formidable front court duo.
It was alongside Sam Cassell and Ray Allen that Big Dog really came into his own though. Robinson became an All-Star in 2000 and 2001, and was a driving force in the George Karl coached team that made it to the Conference Finals in the latter of those years.
As a Buck, Robinson achieved averages of 21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists overall in Milwaukee.
Next: The Best Of The Rest
Jan 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard
Giannis Antetokounmpo(34) drives with the ball against Philadelphia 76ers forward
Robert Covington(33) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Best Of The Rest
Even though we listed six worthy contenders above, there were still some others who could have laid valid claims to their spot on this countdown.
First of all, it seems worth mentioning that even if things play out in a way that just about meets expectations for how he will play over the next few seasons, there’s every chance that Giannis Antetokounmpo will eventually force his way on to this list.
Staying in the past though, let’s look at those who just missed out.
Desmond Mason may only have spent two and a half seasons in Milwaukee, but his contributions were nothing short of sensational. Mason’s Bucks teams didn’t make any genuine splash, yet he did find himself in the playoffs in two of his four seasons in Milwaukee. Mason averaged 14.3 points and 4.4 rebounds as a Buck.
Another player who may not have been a Buck for long but was impressive nonetheless was Dale Ellis. Ellis had a 16 year career in the NBA, notching up over 19,000 points. In 120 career games with the Bucks he was no slouch either, averaging 15 points per game before moving on to San Antonio.
Mickey Johnson spent two years with the Bucks in the early 1980’s, and played a significant role in a team that consistently made the playoffs. Johnson averaged 12.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in Milwaukee.
Who are the greatest small forwards in Bucks history though?
Who do you think should make the final cut for the 15 man roster?
Vote for your three favorites below, and leave your thoughts in the comments section, or plead your case for them by mailing your thoughts to winin6podcast@gmail.com.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: All-Time Greatest Shooting Guards
More from Behind the Buck Pass
- Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
- Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
- Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
- Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
- New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited