Behind the Bucks Pass
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks: A Look At The First-Ever Bucks Game

By Ti Windisch

Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A Milwaukee Bucks fan holds up a sign prior to the game against the Chicago Bulls in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A Milwaukee Bucks fan holds up a sign prior to the game against the Chicago Bulls in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Milwaukee Bucks dancers perform during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-110. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Milwaukee Bucks dancers perform during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-110. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Fred Hetzel

Fred Hetzel was the only Milwaukee Buck outside of Embry and Rodgers to score in double figures in Milwaukee’s first game. Hetzel notched 12 points against the Bulls, less than the 15.9 points per game he scored with Milwaukee that year.

Hetzel wouldn’t last the season, as the Bucks traded him after 53 games to the Cincinnati Royals. Hetzel was a workhorse–he ended up playing 84 regular season games that year because of where the team schedules were at when he was traded!

Although he never got an All-Star nod in his six season NBA career, Hetzel did average 19 points per game with the Warriors in 1968. Unfortunately that was his high point–after leaving Milwaukee he never broke 12 points per game again in his NBA career.

That big scoring season might’ve been what brought Milwaukee’s attention to Hetzel in the first place. Who knows if the Bucks take him in the expansion draft if not for that prodigious scoring year by Hetzel? Unfortunately he couldn’t return to form in this first game–a few more baskets from Hetzel could’ve been the difference in the first Bucks/Bulls game ever.

Next: Bob Love

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