If you listened to this week's episode of the TapCast, than you heard the WST team try it's hardest to build a monument to the four greatest figures in Milwaukee Bucks history. We found agreement on the two greatest players the organization and state of Wisconsin has ever had the chance to call their own - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Giannis Antetokoumpo. And by a vote of 2-1, the other two figures were long time franchise owner Herb Kohl, who played a pivotal role in keeping the Bucks in Milwaukee. And the most remembered of the Bucks "Big Three" from their Eastern Conference finals run in the 2000-2001 season: Ray Allen.
As the member of the triumvirate that disagreed with the other two members, I can whole heartedly say we got it horribly, horribly wrong. Here to present the minority (and correct) opinion: yours truly.
The Big Two
Picking the first two names was easy. Kareem and Giannis both brought the Bucks championships, when you get into the statistical leaderboard Giannis is on top of nearly every category, and in many cases Kareem is in second. These two players have defined Bucks basketball and will continue to be the gold standard for a very, very long time. On to the contentious spots.
Why Not Ray Allen?
Let me preface this by sayin Ray Allen is one of my all-time favorite players. His contributions to Milwaukee as a player and off the court have left him as a friend to the city and will have Bucks fans remembering him fondly for a generation. But here's why he's not on my mountain.
He played 18 NBA seasons, only the first six and a half where in Milwaukee. Sure he was traded and that's not his fault, but how can a player who only spent a third of his career in the city be said to have a monumental impact? And let's look at the teams performance in those full seasons:
1996-97 - 33-49, missed the playoffs.
1997-98 - 36-46, missed the playoffs.
1998-99 - 28-22, lost in the first round.
1999-00 - 42-40, lost in the first round.
2000-01 - 52-30, lost in the Eastern Conference finals.
2001-02 - 41-41, missed the playoffs
So three playoff appearance, two of which ended in first round losses. And officiating in the Milwaukee-Philly final in 2001 aside, that series still goes down a loss. By comparison, Michael Redd made the playoffs more often, and stayed with the Bucks longer. So did Sidney Moncrief, and Marques Johnson, who we will discuss later.
You simply can't justify including Ray Allen as a top four Milwaukee Bucks figure based on what he accomplished in his time in Milwaukee. He had a Hall of Fame career, and is an All-Time NBA great, but his Milwaukee accomplishments make him top ten for Cream City at best.
Why Khris Middleton?
In twelve seasons with the Bucks made the playoffs ten times. Included in those ten playoff appearances are two runs to the conference semi-finals, a run to the conference final, and of couse as the second best player on the 2020-21 NBA Championship team. Better postseason resume, check.
Something important to remember about that postseason run? The Bucks don't make the NBA Finals without Middleton. With the Eastern Conference Finals tied 2-2, and the All-World Giannis out with a knee injury, he took over. In game five, Middleton had 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight assist - against only one turnover. Bucks win. In game six, he puts up 32 with seven more assists. Bucks advance. The rest is history.
How does he stack up numbers wise to Allen? Middleton's numbers show a portrait of a complete player, He has more assists, more steals, more rebounds, and more triple doubles than Allen. In straight scoring? More points, more three points, more free throws. Because he played with the Bucks longer? Absolutely, and that's the point.
To tell the story of the Milwaukee Bucks, Ray Allen is an interesting page. Khris Middleton is a compelling chapter.
Why Not Herb Kohl?
He's an owner. Look that's what it boils down to. I wouldn't include Bud Selig for the Brewers, and I won't include Herb Kohl for the Bucks. I don't go to a Bucks game and think to myself, man I really hope I see Herb Kohl tonight. His influence is undeniable, but so is the money that he made off the franchise.
Yes, thank you for keeping the Bucks in Milwaukee. And thank you for the huge number of philanthropic enterprises that you have done for your home state of Wisconsin. But I'm in this for the players, for the team, and for the thrill of a season.
Why Marques Johnson?
Drafted third overall in 1977, Johnson enjoyed a seven year run in Milwaukee in which he made the playoffs five times. He made the All-Star team four times, and was all NBA three times. His performance in that run was significant enough that he sits top ten all-time for the franchise in Points, Rebounds, Blocks, Steals and Rebounds. There's a case to be made that he's the NBA's original Point Forward.
That's the on the court Marques Johnson. Let's not forget his role in the eminently enjoyable 1992 film White Men Can't Jump.
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| Sidney Moncrief |
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