The Bucks are enjoying a purple patch right now, giving the good people of Milwaukee plenty to be optimistic about.
Whether it is the giant figure of Giannis Antetokounmpo making 50 points in a game, or the not-so-distant memory of a second NBA title, the Fiserv Forum is a good place to be. Around the world, basketball fans have been awakened to Mike Budenholzer and the team, who are once again serious contenders for the NBA title.
Cold they join Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and LA Lakers as a team securing back-to-back championship wins since the turn of the century? The latest basketball odds from Ladbrokes certainly suggest they may do just that. They’re currently fourth favorites to repeat their victory against Phoenix Suns from last year and make themselves a little slice of history in the process.
Every team claims to make a bit of history from time to time, and the Bucks are no different. Of course, the 2021 win was a pinnacle of their recent history after a few dry years (to say the least), but it was just one moment from several that long-term Bucks fans hold dear to their hearts. Here are some other big moments from Bucks history that could all be trumped by the team with a second successive title.
Giannis Antetokounmpo MVP
Giannis isn’t just a hero to Bucks fans; he’s a hero to many for shaking off his disadvantaged background and making it to the very pinnacle of the basketball world. Since center Abdul-Jabbar won MVP in 1974, few Bucks players have got near the award. All that changed when the Greek Freak stepped onto the court, and in 2019, he got the accolade to prove it. He gave an emotional speech, one which resonated with people worldwide. It also kicked off a period in Bucks history that is still being written.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Double MVP
We’ve already mentioned Abdul-Jabbar once (and will do again), such is his impact on Bucks history. He took back-to-back MVPs in the seventies, and rightly so, as he was bang in his prime. He’s the greatest points scorer in NBA history and took the award in 1971 and 1972. In 1971, he averaged 31.7 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game whilst wearing Bucks colours. He took that into 1972, with 34.8 points, 16.6 boards, and 4.6 assists per game. He was the legend Bucks fans thought would never be surpassed, and even he didn’t think they’d win the title. However, they did and now he certainly has a rival for the title of Bucks legend these days.
1970/71
Until last year, 1971 was the one moment in Bucks history that stood out from all others. Oscar Robertson and Abdul-Jabbar led them, and they didn’t just win the title; they smashed everyone in their way. They had the best offense and the best defense of any side they came across. They led the league in scoring at 118.4 points per game, and they won 66 games during the regular season. In the postseason, they dismissed the Warrior 4-1 and then the Lakers by the same score. In the final, they whitewashed Baltimore 4-0. The current team could be set to surpass these achievements, but they will always be there in Bucks history.
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