Behind the Bucks Pass
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks: Top-10 individual seasons in franchise history

By Ben Sewell

Inglewood, Calif.: Two of basketball's giants stare at each other as Milwaukee Buck Lew Alcindor tries to decide if he should go over Los Angeles Laker Wilt Chamberlain or pass the ball off during early action of the third game of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Alcindor tried to go over the Laker big man and missed the shot.
Inglewood, Calif.: Two of basketball's giants stare at each other as Milwaukee Buck Lew Alcindor tries to decide if he should go over Los Angeles Laker Wilt Chamberlain or pass the ball off during early action of the third game of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Alcindor tried to go over the Laker big man and missed the shot. /
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INGLEWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 13: (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 13: (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Sidney Moncrief – (1982-83)

Stat line – 22.5 points, 5.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals

Accolades – NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, NBA All-Defensive First team.

Bucks Record: 51-31 (2nd in Eastern Conference), 4-1 loss in Eastern Conference Finals

Depending on who you ask, Sidney Moncrief might just be the greatest Buck of all-time. No he does not have the most points, rebounds, assists, blocks or steals in Milwaukee history, but his 10-year tenure with the side, coincided with one of the most successful periods in Bucks history.

For Moncrief’s entire 10 years playing in Milwaukee, they never once missed the playoffs and three times made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, as he was integral to their success.

No year in Milwaukee was Moncrief’s value more important than in the 1982-83 season. Moncrief was an absolute monster at both ends of the court. He averaged 22.5 points per game (13th highest in the league) while shooting over 52 percent from the field. His offensive rating of 120 and offensive win shares of 9.7, were good enough for fourth and second highest in the league respectively.

Moncrief’s biggest influence was on defense, though, as he was voted the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Moncrief would be often be tasked with locking down the opponents best guard, which at that time, included the likes of Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson. Moncrief is still the only Milwaukee player to win Defensive Player of the Year, with the only other occurrence coming when he won it again the following year.

Moncrief combined with other Bucks greats including Marques Johnson and Junior Bridgeman that year to lead them all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. This was one of the best ever Milwaukee side,s and Moncrief was the clear leader in that season. For his complete level of dominance on both ends of the court, he earns second place on this list.

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