Milwaukee Bucks: The franchise's forgotten Hall of Famers

Milwaukee Bucks: The franchise’s forgotten Hall of Famers

By Adam McGee | Sep 3, 2018

SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 8: Inductee Gary Payton speaks during the 2013 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on September 8, 2013 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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MILWAUKEE – 1982: (Photo by Robert Lewis/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dave Cowens

Dave Cowens only played 40 games for the Bucks, but the truth is his presence was felt extensively throughout the franchise’s history even prior to his arrival in Milwaukee.

The fourth overall pick in the 1970 NBA Draft, Cowens went on to be an integral cog in the Boston Celtics’ success throughout that decade, meaning he was frequently a thorn in the side of a Bucks team forced to go toe-to-toe with Boston at the business end of the season on a near annual basis.

Cowens was named an All-Star in eight of his 10 seasons with the Celtics, picked up MVP honors in 1973, and was a part of Boston’s championship success in 1976 and, most painfully from a Bucks’ perspective, in 1974.

Cowens set himself apart from his peers, as not only was he a dominant presence around the basket, but he also boasted an impressively well-rounded mix of skills too.

That was best illustrated in the 1977-78 season when Cowens led the Celtics in all five major statistical categories, a rare feat that has since been matched by Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Cowens retired as a Celtic in 1980, only to be drawn out of retirement by his former teammate, Donnie Nelson, then head coach of the Bucks, for the 1982-83 season. Cowens averaged 8.1 points and 6.9 rebounds for his time in Milwaukee.

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