Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1995-96 season

By Ti Windisch

SACRAMENTO, CA - 1996: Glenn Robinson #13 and Vin Baker #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks get into position against the Sacramento Kings during a game played on March 13, 1996 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. 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 1996 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - 1996: Glenn Robinson #13 and Vin Baker #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks get into position against the Sacramento Kings during a game played on March 13, 1996 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. 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 1996 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks had some fun young players, but they’d need more firepower to compete in the Eastern Conference.

The season: 1995-96

The record: 25-57

The postseason: N/A

The story:

For the first time in three years, the Milwaukee Bucks did not add an All-Star caliber player in the NBA Draft before the 1995-96 NBA season. The Bucks technically picked Gary Trent, but in actuality a draft day trade brought Shawn Respert to Milwaukee.

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Respert must’ve had high expectations on him, considering the Bucks’ last two first round picks were Vin Baker and Glenn Robinson. Unfortunately for both parties, he was not a suitable third banana to go with those too — Respert posted less than five points per game that season.

Two ancient Milwaukee Bucks’ traditions defined the 1995-96 campaign. The first was making inexplicable trades at odd times. Less than 10 games into the campaign, the Bucks traded Todd Day and Eric Murdock — their only two productive players outside of Baker and Big Dog in the previous season — plus two other role players for Sherman Douglas and Benoit Benjamin in a pair of trades.

Neither of those trades worked out well for Milwaukee, although, truthfully, none of the four players involved in the deal had very good seasons. The Bucks struggled to put competent players around their big two for the second consecutive season.

Oddly enough, the other Bucks tradition ended up working pretty well in the ’95-96 season. Milwaukee loved adding older players who used to be stars, and the washed MVP for the Bucks that season was none other than Terry Cummings.

One of the best three players during Milwaukee’s incredible run in the 1980s, T.C. was no longer able to post 20-plus points per night. Still, he did add eight points per game on decent efficiency while playing in 81 games.

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Four Bucks managed to play in all 82 games that season: Baker, Big Dog, Johnny Newman, and Lee Mayberry. This was Newman’s second straight season not missing a game with the Bucks, and his production picked up slightly in his second Bucks campaign, as he was one of just four Bucks to post double-digit points per game with 10.8. Mayberry was a role player who managed 5.1 points per game.

Baker and Robinson were transcendent, though. Baker put up 21.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 blocks per game, while Big Dog posted 20.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals each night.

As great as those two were, they needed help to survive in the East, which was still pretty damn tough in the 1990s. Michael Jordan was back on the Chicago Bulls and winning titles again, and the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers weren’t exactly slouches either.

Next: 49 years in 49 days: 1994-95 season

Luckily for the Milwaukee Bucks, they had better help at shooting guard coming in the next NBA Draft than Shawn Respert could provide to Milwaukee.

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