The Milwaukee Bucks have introduced a new four-part documentary podcast titled Bucks vs. The World, featured in Season Six of their official series Behind the Bucks, presented by Gallagher.
Narrated by Charlie Berens and produced by Bucks+, the series explores the 1987 McDonald’s Open, the inaugural tournament that matched an NBA team against international professional clubs and national squads.
The podcast delves into Milwaukee’s impact on the globalization of basketball, emphasizing how their involvement helped open the door for NBA players to compete in the Olympics and contributed to the emergence of international talent.
Bucks vs. The World
Milwaukee Bucks 1987-’88
The first episode, For the Good of the Game, outlines FIBA Secretary General Boris Stankovic’s ambitious vision and explains how the Bucks were chosen to represent the league against EuroLeague champion Tracer Milan.
Episode two, The World Basketball Revolution, examines the tournament’s international ripple effects, spotlighting Tracer Milan’s showing and the NBA’s increasing focus on European prospects ahead of the Soviet Union national team’s arrival.
Episode three, Glasnost in Milwaukee, explores the Cold War backdrop that shaped the tournament, detailing the Soviet team’s commanding win over Tracer Milan while shedding light on the political and cultural forces at play.
The fourth and concluding episode, The Crystal Cup, centers on the title matchup between Milwaukee and the Soviet Union, the first-ever meeting between an NBA franchise and a national team. The series underscores the event’s enduring impact, from the Soviet Union’s eventual Olympic gold medal to FIBA’s landmark move to permit NBA players in international tournaments.
Personalities in the podcast
The series features interviews with former Bucks and NBA personalities including Del Harris, Jack Sikma, Terry Cummings, Don Nelson, Russ Granik, and Rick Welts. European standouts Dino Meneghin and Mike D’Antoni also share their perspectives.
Soviet standouts Sarunas Marciulionis and Alexander Volkov also contribute their perspectives. Reporters and commentators including Jack McCallum, Bob Ryan, and Jim Paschke add further background, offering detailed analysis and personal recollections from the event.
