Ranking the greatest Milwaukee Bucks of all time

Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. (Photo by JB Autissier/Panoramic/Icon Sportswire)

Dan Halverson

May 3rd, 2021

The Milwaukee Bucks have been around since 1968, and the franchise's all-time starting five could compete with any roster in NBA history.

Join us now as we fondly recall the best five players to don a Bucks uniform, and daydream about how they'd mop the court with anyone who dared face them.

5. Sidney Moncrief

PTSREBASTSTLBLK
15.6
4.7
3.6
1.2
0.3

Position: Shooting guard
Years active: 1980-1991
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 5x All Star, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Defensive, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

One of the best defensive guards in NBA history, Moncrief twice won the Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a skilled scorer, who averaged double-digits in nine of his 10 seasons with the franchise.

During the 1980’s with Moncrief leading the team, the Bucks had the third highest winning percentage in the NBA behind only the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. 

4. Ray Allen

PTSREBASTSTLBLK
15.6
4.7
3.6
1.2
0.3

Position: Shooting guard
Years active: 1997-2014
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 2x NBA champion

One of the most lethal three-point shooters in the history of the NBA, Ray Allen began his career in Milwaukee and immediately made an impact as a double-digit scorer. The 40% career three-point shooter would eventually move on to win championships in Boston and Miami, but he spent seven years in Milwaukee before doing so, more than any other stop in his long and respected career.

Steph Curry is on his way to surpassing him, but Allen is the leading three point shooter in NBA history.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

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15.6
4.7
3.6
1.2
0.3

Position: Power forward
Years active: 2014-present
Accolades: 5x All-Star, 4x All-NBA, 3x All-Defensive, 2x MVP

The "Greek Freak" made Bucks fans happy in the 2020 offseason when he signed a five-year contract extension for $228 million to stay in Milwaukee as the centerpiece of the organization. At just 26 years old, the athletic phenom has already made a significant impact on the court. The Bucks are perennial contenders, and the two-time MVP is clearly the reason why.

Now in his prime, Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Assuming he continues on his present path, he's poised to become the greatest Bucks player of all time.

2. Oscar Robertson

PTSREBASTSTLBLK
15.6
4.7
3.6
1.2
0.3

Position: Point guard
Years active: 1961-1974
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x All-Star, 6x assist champion, 11x All-NBA, 1 x MVP, 1x NBA champion

One of the most well-rounded offensive players in NBA history, Oscar Robertson was a 12-time All-Star who helped deliver Milwaukee's only championship in franchise history. In 1971, after 10 seasons in Cincinnati, Robertson arrived in Milwaukee and took the Bucks all the way to the pinnacle of the sport.

The career leader in triple-doubles, Robertson only spent four seasons in Milwaukee, but he left a lasting mark on the franchise by delivering its lone title.

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

PTSREBASTSTLBLK
15.6
4.7
3.6
1.2
0.3

Position: Center
Years active: 1970-1989
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 19x All-Star, 15x All-NBA, 11x All-Defensive, 6x MVP, 4x block champion, 2x scoring champion, 6x NBA champion

Perhaps the most decorated player in NBA history and the greatest center of all time, Abdul-Jabbar spent six seasons in Milwaukee before going on to his more legacy-making 14 seasons with the Lakers.

While in Cream City, Abdul-Jabbar was twice the NBA scoring champion and in 1971 helped the Bucks win an NBA championship while paired with fellow Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. During that memorable championship season, Abdul-Jabbar averaged an incredible 31.7 points and 16.0 rebounds per game.