Milwaukee Bucks

Two NBA titles, including the 2021 ride behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The story

Two titles, fifty years apart

The Bucks entered the league in 1968 and won fast, taking the 1971 title in only their third season with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, and the veteran Oscar Robertson.

Then came a half-century wait. Milwaukee was often good, rarely great, and small-market patience was the only option.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak who arrived as a skinny teenager and became an MVP, ended the drought in 2021 with a 50-point closeout game for the ages.

Before Giannis there were bright spells, like Ray Allen's sharpshooting and the side that reached the 2001 conference finals, but none of them found the closer the Greek Freak became.

For the fans

You back a small market that landed a generational talent and refused to let him leave. Milwaukee basketball is loyalty repaid.

For the punters

A strong regular-season team that can be matchup-dependent in the playoffs. Reliable at home; watch the half-court offense in tight series.

See the Bucks odds board →Rivalries: Celtics · Bulls

Power rank

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Record

29-25

Conference

East

Division