Milwaukee Bucks: Welcome to History Month 2017 at Behind the Buck Pass

MILWAUKEE, WI - 1971: The 1970-71 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks pose for a team portrait in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Seated from left, Bob Boozer, Greg Smith, Bob Dandridge, Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, John McGlocklin, Lucius Allen and Coach Larry Costello. Standing: Trainer Arnie Garber, Jeff Webb, Marvin Winkler, Dick Cunningham, Bob Greacen, McCoy McLemore, Assistant Coach Tom Nissalke. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2002 (Photo by NBA Photo Library/ NBAE/ Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - 1971: The 1970-71 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks pose for a team portrait in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Seated from left, Bob Boozer, Greg Smith, Bob Dandridge, Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, John McGlocklin, Lucius Allen and Coach Larry Costello. Standing: Trainer Arnie Garber, Jeff Webb, Marvin Winkler, Dick Cunningham, Bob Greacen, McCoy McLemore, Assistant Coach Tom Nissalke. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2002 (Photo by NBA Photo Library/ NBAE/ Getty Images)

As the franchise prepares to enter its 50th season in existence, we’re celebrating the eventful and decorated history of the Milwaukee Bucks to date.

It’s a very significant time in the history of the Milwaukee Bucks.

With a move to a state-of-the-art arena on the horizon, a minor league franchise being established in Oshkosh, and a young team starting to progress behind the talents of a potentially generational talent, the Bucks are entering a period in franchise history that will be looked back on with fondness for decades to come.

As the team prepares to enter its 50th season in existence, the timing couldn’t be much better for something of a resurgence in Milwaukee’s fortunes either.

More from Bucks History

Compared with the lengthier histories of some of the NBA’s heavyweights, such as the Celtics, Lakers, Knicks and Warriors, the Bucks are still one of the league’s relatively young franchises, yet there can be no doubt about the mark they’ve left on NBA history over the years either.

The Bucks were the NBA champions in 1971, had regular, sustained spells in contention throughout the 70s and 80s, and briefly returned toward the forefront of the playoff mix at the turn of the century.

Beyond the performances of individual teams, the Bucks have also had a mix of incredible players pass through Milwaukee over the years. With a pantheon of greats that many franchises would be envious of, the Bucks’ history is one that’s rich with special moments and surprising stories.

For the second year in a row here at Behind the Buck Pass, we’ve decided to use the month of September to shine a spotlight on the remarkable highs, desperate lows and incredible memories that combine to make up the much talked about DNA of the franchise.

Over the coming four weeks or so, we aim to help you reminisce about the teams and players that led you to love the Bucks in the first place, and hopefully you’ll also learn something new along the way too.

Our content across the course of the month will include the following:

  • 49 years in 49 days – A series that is already underway and will carry over into October, right up to the start of the regular season, where Ti Windisch will look back at the Bucks’ play over the years, progressing through the seasons day by day.
  • Icons Week – A week (or a little longer) of celebrating not just the defining players in franchise history, but also the stories that made them as special as they were.
  • Cult Heroes Week – A special look at many of the franchise’s unsung heroes, the players who resonated with the fans, and left a legacy much greater than their abilities arguably deserved.
  • Greatest Games Week – A week dedicated to the most memorable games the Bucks have ever played, regardless of whether the reasons were positive or negative.
  • Greatest Teams Week  An exploration of the greatest teams to ever suit up in a Bucks’ jersey, and the combination of personalities that made them fall into place.

There’ll be even more one-off history style pieces throughout the month, and of course, we’ll stay on top of all of the latest news surrounding the current day Bucks too.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1969-70 season

Make sure to check in with us regularly throughout the month for a special trip down memory lane before all focus shifts to the start of the Bucks’ 50th season.