Bucks History

MILWAUKEE - 1972: Wilt Chamberlain

Milwaukee Bucks: Snapping the Los Angeles Lakers’ all-time win streak

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1990-91 season

Milwaukee Bucks: The greatest regular season game in NBA history

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1989-90 season

PORTLAND, OR - 1988: Milwaukee Bucks head coach Del Harris smiles against the Portland Trailblazers at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon circa 1988. 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 1988NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1988-89 season

BOSTON - 1988: (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1987-88 season

BOSTON, MA - CIRCA 1987: Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free-throw against the Milwaukee Bucks during an NBA game circa 1987 at The Boston Garden in Boston Massachusetts. Bird played for the Celtics from 1979-92. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1986-87 season

NEW YORK - JUNE 25: (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings’ 55-point masterpiece

BOSTON, MA - 1986: Dennis Johnson #3 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against the basket against Sidney Moncrief #4 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game circa 1986 at the Boston Garden in Boston, 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 1986 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1985-86 season

Milwaukee Bucks: Darvin Ham was a slam dunking sensation

MILWAUKEE, WI - CIRCA 1986: (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1984-85 season

The Milwaukee Bucks rode the wave generated by two sensational stars pretty far during the 1982-83 NBA season.The season: 1982-83The record: 51-31The postseason: 5-4, lost in Conference FinalsThe story:The Milwaukee Bucks took yet another loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs in stride at the start of the 1982-83 NBA season. The Bucks had some postseason warts, sure, but they continued to dominate the competition for the rest of the year.MORE FROM BEHIND THE BUCK PASS9/14 - Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Potential Trades Before Training Camp9/14 - Milwaukee Bucks Daily: Bucks Reportedly Interested In Andrew Bogut9/13 - Milwaukee Bucks Daily: Khris Middleton Cracks Sports Ilustrated’s Top 50 Players9/12 - Milwaukee Bucks: 49 Years In 49 Days – 1981-82 Season9/12 - Milwaukee Bucks: Ersan Ilyasova Should Be Remembered Fondly Over TimeWith Sidney Moncrief and Marques Johnson on the roster, it was pretty obvious why Milwaukee didn't have problems with any teams but the absolute best ones. Sid the Squid was an All-Star the season before, but the 1982-83 season really cemented his legacy in a lot of ways.First off, he quickly backed up his All-Star season with another, proving he was here to stay. Even more importantly, Moncrief's defense was so tight the NBA just so happened to introduce the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1983, and none other than Moncrief would be the first-ever recipient of it.His offense wasn't half-bad either. Moncrief averaged 22.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Leading any team in scoring is a big-time accomplishment. Leading a team with prime Marques Johnson in scoring is on another level.Marques didn't take the year off himself. The original MJ put up 21.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game during the '82-83 season. Both Moncrief and Marques were All-Stars that year.Unfortunately, a bad trade involving a different MJ had negative repercussions on Milwaukee. Mickey Johnson, who had a great series against the 76ers in the previous postseason, was dealt after just six games for Phil Ford and a future second round pick.Ford was a noticeable downgrade from Johnson, who went on to have a nice season for the New Jersey Nets and Golden State Warriors after the deal. A trade for a point guard was necessary, thanks to Milwaukee giving up their own starting floor general earlier in the year.Quinn Buckner, who had been a two-way contributor who fit perfectly in Don Nelson's team-based offense, was dealt in September for Dave Cowens. Younger readers of this entire series of articles might initially rejoice--Cowens tore up the Bucks last time he met up with Milwaukee in the playoffs!The problem was that Cowens had retired after the 1980 postseason. He stayed retired for the 1980-81 season. And the 1981-82 season. Then came out of retirement at age 34, somehow still as a Celtic, and netted his old club Quinn Buckner.He lasted 41 games before retiring again, leaving the Bucks without two big-time players from their last playoff jaunt. Moncrief and Marques were good enough to get Milwaukee to 51 regular season wins, but could they carry the Bucks through the postseason even with a light supporting cast?Early on, the answer seemed to be yes. After getting a bye into the second round, the Bucks met up with the Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics. Milwaukee, shockingly, swept the Celtics for the first time ever in a seven-game series. Boston responded by letting head coach Bill Fitch go after the season, and going on a legendary tear for the rest of the decade.MORE FROM BEHIND THE BUCK PASSMilwaukee Bucks: 5 Potential Trades Before Training Camp1 h agoMilwaukee Bucks Daily: Bucks reportedly interested in Andrew Bogut3h agoMilwaukee Bucks Daily: Khris Middleton cracks Sports Ilustrated’s Top 50 players1 d agoMilwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1981-82 season1 d agoMilwaukee Bucks: Ersan Ilyasova should be remembered fondly over time2d agoThe victory meant the Bucks were going to the Eastern Conference Finals, and taking on a very familiar nemesis--the Philadelphia 76ers. Philly had sent the Bucks packing in seven games two postseasons prior, and in six games in the season before.Unfortunately for Milwaukee, the Sixers continued the pattern and beat the Bucks in five in 1983. Julius Erving was aging out of his prime, but stellar contributions from Andrew Toney and a prime Moses Malone made up for his sagging production.For the second straight postseason, Moncrief's scoring dropped heavily against Philly, again going down to about 15 points per game. Without the scoring punch Mickey Johnson provided the postseason prior, the Bucks didn't have the firepower to outlast Philadelphia.NEXT: 49 years in 49 days: 1981-82 seasonWho knows how differently that series--and decade--could've looked if Milwaukee still had Buckner, who missed the last Sixers series due to a thumb injury, and Johnson, who tore up Philly last time around.

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1983-84 season

MILWAUKEE, WI - CIRCA 1983: Alton Lister #53 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots over Moses Malone #2 of the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game circa 1983 at the MECCA Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Lister played for the Bucks from 1981-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1982-83 season

BOSTON - 1981: (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1981-82 season

CHICAGO, IL - (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: Ersan Ilyasova should be remembered fondly over time

26 May 2001: Scott Williams #42 and Darvin Ham #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate in game three of the eastern conference finals against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks won 80-74. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/Allsport.

Milwaukee Bucks: Scott Williams’ legend was further forged in conspiracy

PHILADELPHIA - 1980: Julius Erving #6 of the Philadelphia 76ers waits under the basket for a pass against the Milwaukee Bucks during an NBA game in 1980 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 1980 NBAE (Photo by Jim Cummins/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1980-81 season

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 02: (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: Worst injuries in franchise history

BOSTON - 1983: (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1979-80 season

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 17: Larry Sanders

Milwaukee Bucks: Larry Sanders and what could have been

MILWAUKEE - 1982: Junior Bridgeman #2 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles against the San Antonio Spurs circa 1982 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 1982 NBAE (Photo by Robert Lewis/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1978-79 season

MILWAUKEE, WI - CIRCA 1970s: Marques Johnson #8 of the Milwaukee Bucks in a game in the 1970s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/ Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1977-78 season

LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1985: (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: Terry Cummings was key to 80s success

BOSTON - 1981: Head coach Don Nelson of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics played in 1981 at the Boston Garden in Boston, 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 1981 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1976-77 NBA season

PORTLAND, OR - 1985: (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: Sidney Moncrief was the picture of consistency

1974

Milwaukee Bucks: Unselfish Jon McGlocklin is one of the franchise’s great heroes

PHILADELPHIA - CIRCA 1980: (Photo by Ron Koch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1975-76 season

(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 1974-75 season