Milwaukee Bucks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Milwaukee Bucks
Conference	Eastern
Division	Central
Founded	1968
History	Milwaukee Bucks 1968–present
Arena	Fiserv Forum
Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Team colors	Good Land green, Cream City cream, Great Lakes blue, black, white
Main sponsor	Motorola Mobility
President	Peter Feigin
General manager	Jon Horst
Head coach	Doc Rivers
Ownership	Wes Edens, Jimmy Haslam, Jamie Dinan, Mike Fascitelli
Affiliation(s)	Wisconsin Herd
Championships	2 (1971, 2021)
Conference titles	3 (1971, 1974, 2021)
Division titles	19 (1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2001, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Retired numbers	9 (1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 16, 32, 33)
Association Icon Statement City Classic

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Bucks are part of the Central Division in the Eastern Conference.

The team started in 1968 as a new expansion team. Their home games are played at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks have won two NBA championships, in 1971 and 2021. They have also won three conference titles and 19 division titles. Many famous players have played for the Bucks, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both Abdul-Jabbar and Antetokounmpo won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award while playing for the Bucks. They also won the Finals MVP award for the team.

History of the Milwaukee Bucks

How the Team Started (1968–1969)

On January 22, 1968, the NBA decided to add a new team in Milwaukee. A contest was held to name the team, and over 40,000 fans sent in ideas. The most popular name was "Robins," but the judges chose "Bucks." This name refers to Wisconsin's official wild animal, the white-tailed deer. A fan named R. D. Trebilcox won a car for explaining why "Bucks" was a good name. He said bucks are "spirited, good jumpers, fast and agile."

The Bucks' first season in 1968–69 was tough, as it often is for new teams. They won their first game against the Detroit Pistons. In total, they won 27 games that year. They then won a coin flip against the Phoenix Suns to get the first pick in the upcoming draft. This pick was used to choose Lew Alcindor from UCLA, a player everyone wanted.

The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Era (1969–1975)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a star for the Bucks, averaging 30.4 points and 15.3 rebounds per game.

Oscar Robertson helped the Bucks win the 1971 Championship.

With Alcindor joining the team, the Bucks greatly improved in the 1969–70 season. They finished with a 56–26 record, which was the second-best in the league. Alcindor was named the NBA Rookie of the Year.

The next season, the Bucks traded for guard Oscar Robertson. This made the team even stronger. They finished the 1970–71 season with a 66–16 record, which was a team record at the time. They also had a 20-game winning streak. On April 30, 1971, the Bucks won their first NBA championship by beating the Baltimore Bullets in four games. They won the championship in only their third season, which was very fast for a new team.

The Bucks continued to be a strong team in the early 1970s. In 1972, Alcindor changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The team reached the conference finals again but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1973, they had their third straight season with 60 wins. In 1974, the Bucks played in the 1974 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Abdul-Jabbar made a famous "sky hook" shot in a thrilling double-overtime game. However, the Bucks lost the series in game seven. They would not return to the NBA Finals until 2021.

After the 1974–75 season, Abdul-Jabbar asked to be traded to a bigger city. On June 16, 1975, the Bucks traded him to the Lakers. In return, they received Elmore Smith, Junior Bridgeman, Brian Winters, and David Meyers.

Building a New Team (1976–1979)

After Abdul-Jabbar left, the Bucks went through a period of change. In 1976, Don Nelson became the head coach. The team started to get better with new players like Marques Johnson and Sidney Moncrief. Don Nelson won the NBA Coach of the Year award twice with the Bucks.

In 1980, the Bucks traded for veteran center Bob Lanier. They then won the Midwest Division title. After that, the Bucks moved to the Eastern Conference's Central Division.

The Sidney Moncrief Era (1979–1990)

In the Central Division, the Bucks won six division titles in a row. They were a strong team in the Eastern Conference, thanks to players like Moncrief, Marques Johnson, Paul Pressey, Junior Bridgeman, Terry Cummings, and Ricky Pierce. However, they could not reach the NBA Finals, often losing to the Boston Celtics or Sixers.

In the 1980s, the Bucks made history. In 1983, they were the first team to sweep the Boston Celtics in a best-of-seven playoff series. They were also the first team to beat Michael Jordan in a playoff series during his rookie year in 1985.

New Owners and a New Arena

In 1985, the Bucks' owners decided to sell the team. Milwaukee businessman and future U.S. Senator Herb Kohl bought the Bucks. He wanted to make sure the team stayed in Milwaukee. Around the same time, Lloyd Pettit and his wife, Jane Bradley Pettit, donated money for a new arena called the Bradley Center. This new arena helped keep the team in the city.

Tough Times (1990–1998)

The 1990s were a difficult time for the Bucks. They only made the playoffs three times and won just one playoff game. From 1991 to 1998, the team had losing seasons for seven years in a row. During this period, the Bucks drafted Glenn Robinson in 1994 and got Ray Allen in a trade in 1996. Both players would become important for the team later on.

In 1998, the Bucks made a trade that many people still talk about. They drafted Dirk Nowitzki but traded him to the Dallas Mavericks for Robert Traylor. Nowitzki became a superstar, winning a championship and an MVP award, while Traylor only played two seasons for the Bucks.

The team also changed its logo and uniforms in 1993. The new colors were green, purple, and silver, and the old cartoon deer logo was replaced with a more realistic one.

The "Big Three" Era (1998–2003)

After many losing seasons, the Bucks hired experienced coach George Karl in 1998. With new players like Tim Thomas and Sam Cassell, the Bucks became a top team in the Eastern Conference. The "Big Three" of Ray Allen, Cassell, and Robinson, along with Coach Karl, brought success back to Milwaukee.

In the 2000–2001 season, the team won 52 games and their first division title in 15 years. They reached the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals but lost to the 76ers in seven games. This time was known as the "Let It Fly" era because of the team's high-scoring offense.

After getting so close to the NBA Finals in 2001, the Bucks tried to add more players. They got Anthony Mason, but the team struggled. They missed the playoffs in 2002. This led to tension between Coach Karl and the players. Glenn Robinson was traded to Atlanta.

In the 2002–03 season, the Bucks traded Ray Allen to the Seattle SuperSonics for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason. This trade gave more playing time to a rising star, Michael Redd. The Bucks made the playoffs but lost in the first round. After this season, Coach Karl left, and many key players were traded.

The Michael Redd Era (2003–2009)

Michael Redd was a key player for the Bucks.

For the next six years, the Bucks faced challenges with injuries and inconsistent play. They reached the playoffs twice during this time, in 2004 and 2006, but lost to the Detroit Pistons both times. During this period, Michael Redd became an All-Star and the main player for the team. In the 2005 NBA draft, the Bucks picked center Andrew Bogut as the first overall pick.

In 2008, the Bucks hired John Hammond as their new general manager and Scott Skiles as head coach.

The Brandon Jennings Era (2009–2013)

Brandon Jennings played point guard for the Bucks.

In the 2009 NBA draft, the Bucks picked point guard Brandon Jennings. With Jennings' good play, the improvement of Andrew Bogut, and a trade for John Salmons, the team became a playoff contender. In April 2010, the Bucks made the playoffs for the first time in four years.

During this time, the phrase "Fear the Deer" became popular among fans. The Bucks finished the 2009–10 season with a 46–36 record. They were eliminated in a seven-game series against the Atlanta Hawks. Andrew Bogut suffered a broken arm late in the season, which hurt the team's playoff chances.

In 2012, the Bucks traded Bogut to the Golden State Warriors for Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, and Kwame Brown. In 2013, the Bucks fired Coach Skiles. They made the playoffs that year but were swept 4–0 by the Miami Heat.

The Giannis Antetokounmpo Era (2013–Present)

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time NBA MVP.

Starting with Giannis (2013–2014)

In 2013, the Bucks hired Larry Drew as their new coach. On June 27, 2013, the Bucks drafted Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick. They also made several other player changes. The 2013–14 season was very tough, and the Bucks finished with the worst record in the league (15–67).

In April 2014, long-time owner Herb Kohl sold most of his share of the team to new owners, Wes Edens and Marc Lasry. They paid $550 million for the team. The new owners promised to keep the team in Milwaukee and help build a new arena. The NBA approved the sale in May.

Under Coach Jason Kidd (2014–2018)

In July 2014, the Bucks hired Jason Kidd as their new head coach. The team's new slogan for the 2014–15 season was "Own The Future." The Bucks improved a lot that season. They won 15 games by December, matching their total from the previous year. They finished the season with a 41–41 record, a huge improvement. They made the 2015 NBA playoffs but lost to the Chicago Bulls in six games.

In July 2015, the future of the Bucks in Milwaukee was secured. The Wisconsin State Senate voted to use public money to help build a new arena. This new arena would replace the old BMO Harris Bradley Center.

On September 19, 2016, the Bucks signed Giannis Antetokounmpo to a big contract extension. The team also added new young players like Thon Maker and Malcolm Brogdon. In the 2016–17 season, Giannis was voted as an All-Star starter, the first Bucks All-Star since 2004. The team finished with a 42–40 record and made the playoffs, but lost to the Toronto Raptors.

In January 2018, the Bucks fired Jason Kidd as coach. Assistant coach Joe Prunty took over for the rest of the season. The team finished with a 44–38 record and made the playoffs again, losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games.

Under Coach Mike Budenholzer (2018–2023)

On May 17, 2018, the Bucks announced Mike Budenholzer as their new head coach. On August 26, 2018, the Bucks' new arena, Fiserv Forum, opened.

The Bucks had an amazing 2018–19 season, finishing with a 60–22 record. This was their best record since 1980–81. They had the best record in the league, giving them home-court advantage in the playoffs. They swept the Detroit Pistons in the first round, their first playoff series win since 2001. They then beat the Boston Celtics to reach their first Conference Finals since 2001. However, they lost to the Toronto Raptors. After the season, Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the league's Most Valuable Player.

In the 2019–20 season, the Bucks quickly secured a playoff spot. During the playoffs, the Bucks players refused to play a game to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake. Giannis Antetokounmpo won his second straight MVP award. The Bucks lost in the semi-finals to the Miami Heat.

Before the 2020–21 season, the Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to the largest contract in NBA history. They also traded for Jrue Holiday and signed Bobby Portis. The Bucks finished the season with a 46–26 record and won their third straight Central Division title.

The Milwaukee Bucks celebrating their 2021 championship at the White House.

In the 2021 NBA playoffs, the Bucks swept the Miami Heat. They then beat the Brooklyn Nets in seven games. Next, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks to reach their third NBA Finals in team history, and their first since 1974. In the NBA Finals, the Bucks faced the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks came back from being down 2–0 to win the series 4–2! Antetokounmpo was named Finals MVP after an amazing performance, including a 50-point game in the final win.

The Bucks continued to play well in 2021–22, finishing with a 51–31 record and their fourth straight division title. They beat the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. However, they lost a key player, Khris Middleton, to injury. Without him, they lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round.

In the 2022–23 season, the Bucks finished with the best record in the league (58–24). They were the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo got a back injury early in the first game. Despite his return, the Bucks lost the series 4–1 to the Miami Heat. After this loss, Coach Budenholzer was fired.

Recent Changes (2023–Present)

On June 5, 2023, Adrian Griffin became the new head coach. On September 27, 2023, the Bucks traded for seven-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. However, Griffin was fired after only 43 games. On January 26, 2024, Doc Rivers was named the new head coach.

Team Owners

The Milwaukee Bucks are owned by a group of people and companies. Some of the main owners include Wes Edens, Jamie Dinan, and Michael D. Fascitelli. In 2023, Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam, who own the NFL's Cleveland Browns, bought a share of the team. Junior Bridgeman, a former Bucks player whose jersey number is retired, also bought a part of the team in 2024. Other notable owners include Aaron Rodgers, a famous American football player.

Mascot: Bango

The Bucks' official mascot is named Bango. The name "Bango" was first used by Eddie Doucette, who announced games for the Bucks. He would shout "Bango!" when a player made a long-range shot.

Bango has been the Bucks' mascot since October 18, 1977. His original outfit was a green wool sweater with a "B" on it. Now, Bango wears a Bucks uniform with the number 68, which is the year the team started. Bango is very popular and appears at schools, parades, and festivals. He is known for his amazing acrobatic dunks and funny actions that get fans excited at the Fiserv Forum. Bango has also been at the NBA All-Star Game every year since 2001.

At the 2009 All-Star Weekend, Bango got hurt during a mascot show. He fell from the basket rim and tore his ACL. He couldn't perform for the rest of the season and sometimes appeared in a wheelchair. A video of his injury became popular online.

Bango has continued to do amazing stunts. In 2010, he did a back-flip dunk from a 16-foot ladder. He also dunked the ball while in a human hamster wheel in 2012. Bango has won awards like "Mascot of the Year" in 2010 and "Most Awesome Mascot" in 2011. He has also appeared in TV commercials and a documentary series called Behind the Mask.

Logos and Uniforms

Early Years (1968–1977)

When the Bucks first started, their uniforms were hunter green and white with red trim. The white uniforms had "Bucks" in green letters, and the green uniforms had "Milwaukee" in white letters.

Over time, the colors and styles changed slightly. In 1971, the letters on the white uniform became red with green trim. In 1975, the white uniform changed to have a script "Bucks" lettering.

The "Irish Rainbows" (1977–1993)

In 1977, the Bucks changed their uniforms again. They added colorful side stripes with different shades of green, which fans called the "Irish Rainbows." The team removed the color red from their uniforms in 1985.

Purple and Green Era (1993–2006)

The Bucks changed their logo and uniforms again for the 1993–94 season. Green became a trim color, and purple was added as a main color, along with silver. The old cartoon deer logo was replaced with a more realistic one.

1995–99 Uniform

In 1995, the Bucks introduced a hunter green alternate uniform. It had a script "Bucks" logo that faded from white to silver and purple. These uniforms were used until 1999.

Modern Look (2006–2015)

Milwaukee Bucks wordmark, 2006–2015.

The uniforms were changed again for the 2006–07 season. The home uniform was white with green stripes and thin red stripes. The road uniform was hunter green. Both jerseys said "BUCKS" across the chest. In 2008, a red alternate uniform was added, similar to the team's early uniforms.

In 2014, the uniforms were updated slightly, and a gold tab was added to celebrate their 1971 championship.

Current Design (2015–Present)

On April 13, 2015, the Milwaukee Bucks showed off new logos and colors. The new colors are Good Land green, Cream City cream, Great Lakes blue, black, and white. "Good Land" refers to the meaning of "Milwaukee," and "Cream City" comes from the cream-colored bricks used in many Milwaukee buildings.

Milwaukee Bucks wordmark, 2015–present.

On June 6, 2015, the Bucks revealed their new home and road uniforms. The home uniform is white, and the road is green. Red was replaced by cream. The word "Milwaukee" returned to the road uniforms for the first time since 1976. The uniforms also have a unique color pattern on the sides called the "Cream City Rainbow," which is a tribute to the "Irish Rainbow" design from the 1980s. The words "Fear the Deer" are written upside down on the bottom left. A small gold tab on the back collar celebrates their 1971 and 2021 NBA championships.

On October 3, 2015, the Bucks showed a new black alternate uniform. This uniform, called the "Fear the Deer uniform," has the new Bucks logo in the center. The team also unveiled a special alternate court design to go with it.

In 2017, the Bucks added more uniform sets. They have their regular white ("Association") and green ("Icon") uniforms, plus their black ("Statement") uniforms. For their retro uniform, they brought back a version of their first home uniforms from 1968 to 1970. They also got new "City" uniforms, which are cream-colored with the "Cream City Rainbow" pattern.

For the 2018–19 season, the "City" uniform paid tribute to the famous MECCA court, with yellow, beige, and red colors. The "Earned" uniform was similar but inspired by the "Irish Rainbow" home uniform from 1977–1985.

The Bucks have continued to update their "City" and "Statement" uniforms each season, often celebrating different parts of Milwaukee's history and culture, like the Cream City bricks, the city's rivers, and local neighborhoods.

Recent Season Records

This table shows how the Bucks have done in their last five seasons:

Famous Players in the Hall of Fame

Many players who have played for the Milwaukee Bucks are now in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Retired Jersey Numbers

The Bucks have retired the jersey numbers of nine players to honor their contributions to the team. This means no other player on the Bucks can wear these numbers.

• The NBA also retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all teams in 2022.

Home Arenas

• Milwaukee Arena/Mecca Arena (1968–1988)
• Bradley Center (1988–2018)
• Fiserv Forum (2018–present)

How to Watch and Listen to Games

Since 2007, most Bucks games are shown on regional cable TV through FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. Some games are also shown on local TV channels like WMLW-TV.

For radio, you can listen to Bucks games on WTMJ (620/103.3) and other stations across Wisconsin on the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network.

Images for kids

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  Toni Kukoč playing for the Bucks.

See also

In Spanish: Milwaukee Bucks para niños