The Milwaukee Bucks were established as an NBA expansion team in 1968.1)
They won their first NBA championship just three years later in 1971 — one of the fastest in NBA history.2)
Since 2018, the Bucks have played at the Fiserv Forum, a state-of-the-art arena in downtown Milwaukee.3)
Legendary guard Oscar Robertson joined the Bucks in 1970, helping them win the 1971 title.4)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) won three MVPs with the Bucks (1971, 1972, 1974).5)
Kareem changed his name from Lew Alcindor to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971, during his time with the Bucks.6)
The team’s colors have evolved, but green has been a consistent element. “Cream City” was introduced in the 2015 rebrand.7)
The Bucks' official mascot, Bango, debuted in 1977 and is a fan favorite for his stunts.8)
The Bucks won their second NBA championship in 2021, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo.9)
In Game 6 of the 2021 Finals, Giannis scored 50 points — one of the greatest Finals performances ever.10)
“Fear the Deer” started as a social media hashtag but became the team’s rallying cry.11)
In 2014, a group led by Marc Lasry and Wes Edens bought the team from Senator Herb Kohl.12)
The Bucks selected Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft — a franchise-altering move.13)
The team’s longest winning streak is 20 games, set during the 1970–71 season.14)
The Bucks have had four MVP awards: three by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and two by Giannis Antetokounmpo.15)
Their “Cream City” alternate jerseys are inspired by Milwaukee’s iconic cream-colored bricks.16)
Don Nelson coached the team from 1976 to 1987, becoming one of the most successful coaches in franchise history.17)
Ray Allen played for the Bucks from 1996 to 2003 and was one of the top shooters in the league during that time.18)
In 2009, rookie Brandon Jennings scored 55 points in a game — still a franchise rookie record.19)
Bucks guard Glenn Robinson III won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2017.20)
Milwaukee became a title town again in 2021, 50 years after the Bucks’ first championship.21)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, and Bob Dandridge were the Big Three that won the 1971 title.22)
The outdoor space near Fiserv Forum, known as the Deer District, became famous during the 2021 playoff run.23)
Fred Hetzel was the Bucks' first-ever draft pick in 1968, selected from the expansion draft.24)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Bucks’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem in 2022.25)
Game 6 of the 2021 Finals drew over 65,000 fans to the Deer District — a record for an outdoor watch party.26)
Moncrief won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1983 and 1984.27)
The Bucks were heavily rumored to be interested in trading for Chris Paul before the 2020 season — it never happened.28)
Milwaukee’s nickname “Cream City” comes from the light-colored bricks made from clay native to the region.29)
The Bucks picked Australian big man Andrew Bogut first overall in the 2005 NBA Draft.30)
In 2013–14, the Bucks had their worst record ever: 15–67.31)
The 2019–20 Bucks led the NBA in defensive rating, fueling their transition-heavy offense.32)
Center Brook Lopez earned the nickname “Splash Mountain” for his surprising three-point shooting skills.33)
Larry Sanders was once a defensive anchor, but retired early due to mental health struggles.34)
Their 2021 championship ended a 50-year title drought — one of the longest in NBA history.35)
In the 2021 playoffs, the Bucks came back from 0–2 down to win both the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals.36)
Budenholzer won NBA Coach of the Year in 2019 and led the team to the 2021 championship.37)
Giannis signed a supermax extension in 2020, staying with the Bucks when many speculated he would leave.38)
The Bucks once scored 158 points in a game against New Orleans in 1979.39)
Former Bucks include Gary Payton, Michael Redd, Vin Baker, and Sam Cassell.40)
The Bucks are one of the few teams to have two players (Oscar and Giannis) win the NBA MVP award while with the team.41)
The Wisconsin Herd, based in Oshkosh, is the Bucks’ G League affiliate.42)
The blue “City Edition” jerseys are a tribute to the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan.43)
Senator Herb Kohl required new owners to keep the team in Milwaukee, and even contributed $100 million for the arena.44)
With Giannis’ rise, the Bucks have gained a massive international following, especially in Greece and Africa.45)