Milwaukee Bucks: All-Time Greatest Centers
By Adam McGee
Bob Lanier
Bob Lanier was a key component of some of the best teams in Milwaukee basketball history. The Bucks won their division in every single season that the New York native was with the team, even making two trips to the Conference Finals in the process.
Lanier was every bit the dominant throwback big man, that we unfortunately don’t see as many of in the modern NBA. It wasn’t just the fact that Lanier could score, but the fact that he could do so by banging inside, with a delicate hook shot, or stretching with an impressive mid-range jump shot.
Lanier was a towering rebounder too, and in spite of coming to Milwaukee towards the tail end of his career when knee problems were starting to become an issue for him, he still left an indelible mark in Bucks history.
Only one of Lanier’s eight All-Star appearances came in his time in Milwaukee, but he still put up incredibly strong numbers without having to be “the guy” on teams that included Sidney Moncrief, Marques Johnson, Bob Dandridge, Junior Bridgeman and Brian Winters.
That was more than good enough for him to earn the right for his jersey to hang from the rafters of the Bradley Center to this day.
For the Bucks, Lanier posted averages of 13.5 points and 5.9 rebounds.
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