Milwaukee Bucks: Time For Marques Johnson’s Number To Be Retired

By Adam McGee | Sep 22, 2015

To date there have been eight Milwaukee Bucks to have the honor of seeing their jersey retired by the franchise. It’s one of the greatest accolades and privileges that an NBA player can have bestowed upon them, and the Bucks tend to be more forthcoming in honoring their players in that manner than many other teams.

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That’s not to say that any of the Bucks famous eight were anything but deserving of their jersey retirement, as the list genuinely represents a who’s who of franchise history.

There are championship winners like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Jon McGlocklin and, most recently, Bob Dandridge.

Then there are stalwarts of the franchise’s consistently excellent team that rarely dipped below 50 wins on a season throughout the 80s, names like Junior Bridgeman, Bob Lanier, Brian Winters and, of course, Sidney Moncrief.

Although there are other players throughout Bucks history who may have a case on seeing themselves added to that list, as it is the absence of one player in particular is more glaring than any other. In fact, it’s bizarre, and it needs to be addressed immediately.

I’m talking about Milwaukee’s very own MJ, one of the game’s original point forwards, the one and only Marques Johnson.

Johnson played 524 games for the Bucks, and in that time he certainly made a point of securing his place in franchise history. 18,240 minutes, 10,980 points, 3,923 rebounds, 1,934 assists, 697 steals, 439 blocks, a four-time All-Star representing Milwaukee, six playoff appearances in seven seasons; quite simply a franchise legend.

Per Basketball-Reference, Johnson ranks top ten in Bucks history in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, games played, minutes and field goal percentage.

Johnson had a win share of 71.1 as a Buck, the third highest mark the team has ever seen with only Abdul-Jabbar and Moncrief ahead of him as players who helped contribute more wins in their time on the floor.

Johnson’s impact during his time on the Bucks wouldn’t have been easily substituted either, as Johnson has the second highest value over replacement player too, with only Moncrief representing a more significant drop off if he had been replaced by an average player at the time.

So, we’ve established that Johnson has the numbers to merit immortal status in Bucks history, but the other aspect that can often factor in should now be in his favor too.

In many cases, NBA teams like their legends to have a continued involvement, and to at least maintain a presence at games or in the community from time to time.

If this was a criteria that Johnson hadn’t been meeting in the past, that’s changed in the last week too. Johnson was announced to be taking up a new role as a color commentator for Fox Sports Wisconsin for 55 games this season, which will make him one of the most recognizable faces and voices around the franchise once again.

Our own Jordan Treske talked about how that move may be further evidence of the ownership looking to honor star names from the past, and I think that’s something that fans would get on side with.

So, what about the jersey itself?

Milwaukee’s no. 8 jersey has been vacant since Larry Sanders stepped away from basketball last season, is that because nobody has wanted to wear it in the time since though?

Well, let me introduce you to our current favorite conspiracy theory at Behind The Buck Pass, and one that has tenuous links back to our site!

When the Bucks acquired Miles Plumlee as a part of the Brandon Knight deal, the Bucks asked for questions for Plumlee along with fellow new additions Michael Carter-Williams and Tyler Ennis for a Q&A on the team’s official Facebook page.

Lover of puns that he is, our own Ti Windisch questioned as to why Plumlee hadn’t selected the number eight considering that he could then go by the nickname “8 Miles”.

Plumlee answered in a video response (found here) and said he wished he’d thought about it, “because it was an option”. Fast forward to this summer and the arrival of Greivis Vasquez, Plumlee gives up his no.21 for his Venezuelan teammate and then he selects no.8 for himself, right?

Not quite. He picked 18, which is close. Could he possibly have asked for no.8 and been told that it was unavailable?

Obviously, this is wild and mostly unfounded speculation, but the point behind is that I feel the team are likely very close to retiring Johnson’s jersey. Would it surprise me if the plan was already in motion? Not at all.

Who knows, it might even happen this season. Just remember, you heard it here first!

Do the right thing, Bucks, raise Johnson’s jersey to the rafters.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Pre-Training Camp Q&A With Charlie Westbrook

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