Milwaukee Bucks: Meet the 1990s All-Decade Team

Milwaukee Bucks: Meet the 1990s All-Decade Team – Dale Ellis

Just as was the case with the center position, the Bucks’ instability and numerous roster and personnel changes throughout the decade certainly affected their pursuit to find a Sixth Man. The same certainly goes for the lack of success they primarily experienced as well.

Ricky Pierce’s hold in the sixth man role carried over into the 1990s, but he was eventually shipped out midway through the 1990-91 season for the very player that would take over his highly impactful role and under similar circumstances.

Like Pierce, Dale Ellis’ demands for a new contract with the Seattle SuperSonics came to a head throughout that season as Ellis’ unhappiness came out both on and off the court. That, along with serious off-the-court issues and skirmishes with teammates, led to his exit, despite his prolific scoring. Those concerns didn’t trouble Bucks head coach Del Harris as he said the following after acquiring Ellis from Seattle:

"“If they eliminated all the players and coaches in this league who’ve had problems, it would be a small league,” he said. “We’ve done enough investigating of Dale not to be worried.”"

Ellis welcomed the change of scenery as his scoring (19.3 points per game) and efficiency (41.9 percent from three, 55.9 true shooting percentage) jumped upon coming to Milwaukee as they finished out the 90-91 season with a 48-34 season.

Yet, Ellis’ season ended prematurely due to a herniated disc and the Bucks were without their new leading scorer for the final 10 games of the regular season and their subsequent sweep to the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs.

The former Volunteer’s first full season in Milwaukee was thrown by an early wrench by Harris’ surprise resignation 17 games into the year and the Bucks remained competitive under interim head coach Frank Hamblen before plummeting after the All-Star break. Ellis’ time in Milwaukee was made short-lived when he was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs after the 1991-92 season.

The lethal 3-point gunner eventually returned to Milwaukee for an even briefer stint during he 1999-2000 season, before he was jettisoned to the Charlotte Hornets after 18 appearances and eventually called it quits on a well-traveled 18-year career later that year.

In his 120 appearances with the Bucks, Ellis averaged 15 points on .472/.413/.752 shooting splits, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists across 26.2 minutes per contest.

With the 20th century now wrapped up, we’ll enter the new millennium with our Bucks All-Decade Teams in our next entry.