Abdul-Jabbar And Robertson: Remembering The Bucks' Dynamic Duo

Image source: bleacherreport.com

Expansion teams in the NBA typically and understandably lose a lot of games during their first years in the league. The Milwaukee Bucks were an exception, though, because the timing of their entry into the association was fortunate.

The franchise was established in 1968 and lost 56 of their 82 games during their first season, which was tied for last among all teams. This allowed them to earn a coin flip against the Phoenix Suns to see who would be given the first overall pick in the 1969 rookie draft, which the Bucks won and used on Lew Alcindor.

Arguably the best center in NBA history immediately turned Milwaukee into a powerhouse with his exceptional scoring prowess and stingy defense. In a complete reversal, the team won 56 games and reached the second round of the playoffs, where they lost to eventual champions New York Knicks.

During the offseason, the Bucks got another gift in the name of Mr. Triple Double, Oscar Robertson. He had just lit the league during the previous ten years, pioneering the all-around game and blazing a trail for the likes of Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James.

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But The Big O had never reached the later stages of any playoffs in his career before then. But after teaming up with Alcindor to create one of the best inside-outside duos ever, Milwaukee won the franchise’s only championship in 1971. It was also this year when Alcindor would convert to Islam and change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Unfortunately, Robertson was already at the twilight of his career then, which led to the decline of his production on the court. Combined with injuries, the Bucks never won another title. The Abdul-Jabbar and Robertson partnership lasted for just five seasons, but it is enough to establish the legacy of the dynamic duo.

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Who Are The Greatest Bucks?

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Although not as high profile as the Lakers or Celtics or other dynasty teams, the Milwaukee Bucks have indeed made their mark in the NBA. They’ve won the NBA Championship once, the conference title twice, and their division 13 times. They’ve had a proud basketball tradition, and they’ve been led by some of the greatest players in NBA history. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Considered by many basketball experts and historians to be the greatest NBA center in the history of the league, the player formerly known as Lew Alcindor had been a dominant force in basketball for over three decades. He currently holds the record for the most points ever scored by a single NBA player in his career. He was long, lean, and fast. He could defend as well as he could score. Kareem became the quintessential NBA big man, emerging at the end of the careers of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. He was also the Bucks’ leader during their only championship season.

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Oscar Robertson

Very few NBA players were as versatile as the Big O. Alongside Kareem, Oscar Robertson helped the Bucks win their first and only NBA title in 1971. He was an NBA All-Star 12 times, and a part of the All-NBA team 11 times in his career. Robertson was an MVP once. He also did what until last season, nobody considered possible – get a triple-double average in an entire NBA season.

My name is Sandy Petrocelli, a business marketing student from Wisconsin. I’m a big fan of the Milwaukee Bucks and most Wisconsin sports teams. Visit this blog to learn more about the teams I follow.