Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking the 10 greatest seasons in franchise history

2. 1973-74 season

59-23, Lost 4-3 in The Finals

As a more experienced, and increasingly veteran team, the Bucks entered the 1973-74 season off the back of three straight 60-win seasons, yet with just one championship banner to show for their consistency.

As such, the Bucks could have been forgiven for taking their foot off the pedal a little in the regular season, as long as they were then positioned to make a stronger push in the postseason again.

In truth, the Bucks didn’t really let up all that much in the regular season, where even with falling below the 60-win mark, Milwaukee boasted the NBA’s best record when the season came to an end.

Abdul-Jabbar remained as imposing as ever in what proved to be his third MVP-winning season in four years, while Bob Dandridge and Lucius Allen upped their games at a time when Oscar Robertson‘s production began to noticeably tail off.

The Bucks opened up their postseason play with a gentleman’s sweep over the Lakers, something they would have done anything for a couple of years earlier. From there, the Chicago Bulls lay in wait, and in spite of coming second in the Midwest Division to the Bucks and winning 54 games of their own, they were powerless to resist as the Bucks advanced in a sweep.

Returning to The Finals three years after their ultimate success, the Bucks were the favorites to get the best of the Celtics, and in spite of plenty of rough moments throughout, a dramatic Game 6 win in double overtime left Milwaukee just one home win away from achieving their goal.

Unfortunately, an exhausted Bucks team could never get going in the final game, leading to a massive letdown on their home floor as the Celtics clinched glory with a 15-point blowout win.