Bucks all-time greats thrilled, humbled by selections to 40th anniversary team
by Truman Reed / special to Bucks.com
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April 23, 2008
MILWAUKEE -- When the Milwaukee Bucks honored the members of their 20-man, 40th anniversary team during halftime of their March 28 game against the Orlando Magic at the Bradley Center, they also built a bridge across a generation gap.
Several of the all-time greats who were recognized enjoyed their heyday during the 1960s and '70s. Others claimed their fame in the 1980s and '90s. The rest ushered Bucks basketball into the 21st century and are young enough to be the trail blazers' sons.
But they bonded more like brothers on that night, and will be commemorated as such by a new banner that hangs from the southeast rafters of the Bradley Center.
From the "Original Buck," Jon McGlocklin, to the current one, Michael Redd, some of the honorees shared their sentiments on what it means to be revered as one of the greatest players in the 40-year history of Milwaukee's National Basketball Association franchise.
Jon McGlocklin:
"I have to say that the NBA championship we won, my being inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, and my number being retired were the three biggest thrills of my athletic career.
"This town is my home. It's where my family and I have lived. I've raised my children here. I love the town and I love the people. It's been a wonderful marriage for me. I can't say enough about what I owe this city.
"It's been such a privilege to be part of this team, this organization and this city for the past 40 years. And people here have always treated me here so well. Having my jersey number retired here is probably the single greatest honor I've had. It's a different realm... rare air. You're being recognized as one of the greatest players in an organization's 40-year history, and nobody can take that away from you."
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:
"It's really nice to be able to reconnect with Milwaukee and this tradition that I helped established. It's funny to have lived so long and have played so long that it has become a tradition. I run into Bucks fans everywhere I go. They seem to be snowbirds. When I'm in the southern part of the United States, I see people from Milwaukee who are Bucks fans everywhere.
"I remember basically that we got great support from the fans. They really appreciated what we brought here, and they were very supportive. I had a really good relationship with management here. There was never any tension there. They really felt that I gave my best, and they did their best to make me happy here. A lot of times, you don't see things working out that way nowadays between management and players. It's a little bit more sterile. I guess that's the best word. Back then, it was more like family."
Bob Dandridge:
"It is a thrill, especially with the elite players the Bucks have had here. I think one thing that is real significant, no matter how young old you are, if you're a Bucks fan, everybody is conscious of the players on the world championship team and their accomplishments. Young fans today want to know what our guys have done in the past, and what shoots our is our championship team. And I think we accomplished some things and set some milestones in the history of the franchise. And the people of Milwaukee and Wisconsin have never forgotten that. I think when you speak of world championships, you speak volumes of a franchise.
"We cross each others' paths, especially the ones who may be involved in basketball as scouts or as coaches. The common bond, again, is the Milwaukee Bucks. It's not a major market; it's not a bigger-than-life franchise. So when you get the opportunity to get together, it's almost a family thing. I think when all of us met, we don't have to do a whole lot of explaining about accomplishments. We know of each other's accomplishments because the Bucks are such a family-type organization of good guys who came in here and played hard. Even the ones who may not have been on the championship team were within an eyelash of winning it all.
"We've had some great citizens, too - guys like Junior Bridgeman, Terry Cummings and so many others. Good, good, quality people. And the Bucks organization has maintained a certain high level of quality, from Wes Pavalon all the way through to the Senator (Kohl), holding onto this team. There's just something special about being here, something you find that doesn't exist in other franchises in the country."
"I'm 60 now. I've been blessed to achieve what I have in sports, and that's just real special to me."
Oscar Robertson:
"Like a lot of things in life, you should have occasions when you can get together with people and remember things, and hopefully that can go on in the future. That was such a special time for Milwaukee, when we won the championship. Things like that are important to people.
"The people of Milwaukee were great, and they always have been. For me to have an opportunity to come back and be a part of something like this and see some of those people again, I have to take advantage of it. People need an opportunity to get together sometimes. Gatherings like this are special."
Brian Winters:
"Well, you know, it's another great honor. Having the jersey retired and rededicated is a great honor, and then to be considered one of the better players in Bucks history is a great honor, too. A lot of great players have come through here. Some of them I've played with, such as Junior and Bob Lanier and Marques Johnson, and some I didn't, like Oscar. It's a great honor, and it's fun to be back and be around these guys. This franchise has had a lot of good teams and players over the years, and it's fun to be around these guys.
"It is rewarding and it's fun. It's a tribute to the guys we had on the court, and they were good guys off the court. It's just a pleasure to be around them. I think Milwaukee can be proud of the guys who put forth the efforts they did here and had good teams and always played hard. It's unfortunate that we didn't win a championship in my era, but some other teams were just a little bit better at that particular time."
Junior Bridgeman:
"I'm so appreciative. It seems like that time frame of your life when you were playing went by overnight. I'm really proud to have been a part of that.
"Most importantly, they formed a nucleus consisting not only of good players and a good team, but good people. I think that's really what brought about the connection between the community and the team."
Marques Johnson:
"I was excited, and mainly honored, when thinking of all the great players that have come through this organization. To be selected as one of the top 20 in that whole group, it's a big honor for me.
"The thing is, basketball is this great continuum. That's the thing that attracted me to the sport when I was young, growing up watching Elgin Baylor and Jerry West and Bill Russell and all the greats of my day, and then to watch Kareem and Oscar when they came along, and to one day be a part of what we did in the '70s and early '80s. After I left, they had Terry Cummings and Jack Sikma and that crew, and then Vin Baker and 'Big Dog.' There's just such a continuum of terrific players and great moments. It's a big deal."
Sidney Moncrief:
"When I first had my jersey retired the first time, it was right after I retired. Everything happened so quickly, and there was so much going on. You didn't really understand the magnitude of what was happening. But now that you're not playing anymore, you go into all of these arenas and see the number of jerseys that are retired throughout the NBA over the last 40 years and you realize the significance of having your jersey retired. Hundreds of guys have worn that jersey, so it's more of a treat now than it was 20 years ago.
"Milwaukee is a very close-knit community, and they really want everything to transcend stats and the game itself there. What you've done in the community and to make the team and the franchise better comes into play.
"So I'm very honored to be placed beside a lot of the great players who have worn the Milwaukee Bucks uniform."
Bob Lanier:
"Well, obviously it's a big honor and I'm humbled by it. I'm not one that likes a lot of fanfare; I'm not one who likes a lot of recognition stuff, but it's a nice honor, I think more so, for my family.
"It was a great ride. I smile today and feel it in my heart when I think about it."
Terry Cummings:
"It's such an honor to be a part of the history of the Milwaukee Bucks, but more importantly, knowing the labor that went into this organization and having been a part of it.
"Some of us don't see each other much at all. People lose contact, and no one knows where everyone is. Group meetings like this one are like reunions."
Ricky Pierce:
"I was telling my wife, 'I know the fans appreciated me because I worked hard and had a ball here.' Not being arrogant, but I thought I played well here, and the fans appreciated that. I gave it my all when I was on the court.
"I'm in company with great players. Coming up through high school, I never could have imagined I'd wind up playing with and against so many great players, even in college. And then to be sitting in this room for this occasion with Oscar Robertson, Marques Johnson ... the other guys before me. I played with Terry (Cummings), who was a dominant player for so many years, and that was fun. I never had the pressure on me to just go out and lead the team every night, because he and Sidney Moncrief were doing it. Then they left, and they said, 'Hey, Ricky, you have to score.' By then, I was used to doing that, so it was cool."
Vin Baker:
"This is such an honor., when you consider the history of this franchise. I was very fortunate to play 14 years in the NBA. When I played here, I thought about Oscar Robertson, Lew Alcindor and Jon McGlocklin. And now I'm in the club.
"I'm just giddy. When I saw Oscar Robertson this morning (at the 40th anniversary ceremony) ... I'm just so happy and grateful to be a part of it. I mean, when I played here, I knew who Oscar Robertson was, but to be part of this, it's unbelievable."
Glenn Robinson:
"Oh, man. That (being informed that he was voted one of the greatest 20 Bucks of all time) was exciting news. Words can't explain it. To even be talked about as one of the best players in franchise history is big stuff. It's a great accomplishment.
"It reminds you of all the hard work you put in, and how much the fans appreciated that.
"I wish I had been able to be here to be even closer to Kareem. But man, just to be in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's shadow, man, words can't describe how big that is. He's one of the best ever to play the game."
Ray Allen:
"It's hard for me to even think about comparing myself to Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I think when you mean something to an organization and people who've watched a lot of basketball in their times, it makes for great feelings for the fans and players here who always stood for something, represented a great city.
"When you vote for somebody, you're going to pick people you appreciated and enjoyed watching. Young players might underestimate what being a good player is, and it's equally important to be a role model in the community."
Sam Cassell:
"That's big. That's big. The fans selected me to that, and what can you say? It's a great honor. I never thought it would happen, you know what I'm sayin'? But it happened, and I'm grateful that it happened."
"And I was picked with 'Big Dog' (Glenn Robinson) and Ray (Allen); actually three of my teammates, including Michael Redd. Things went well for me here. I think we understood how to play and how we were going to win."
Michael Redd:
"Man, it's just a blessing from the Lord. It really is. I've been blessed to come to a great organization, number one. Ernie Grunfeld and Larry Harris took a chance on me eight years ago. I've had some wonderful teammates over the years who've helped me and groomed me. They get a lot of credit, because without them, this wouldn't be possible. This is a great honor, it really is. And I don't take it lightly at all.
"Sam (Cassell) and Ray (Allen) and 'Big Dog' were really key in my career. They showed me how to approach the game in a professional manner, how to get open, how to score and how to win in this league. We won my first year. I'll never forget those guys.
"We had dinner last night (before the ceremony). Being there with 'Big O' and Bobby Dandridge and Brian Winters and Terry Cummings and Ricky Pierce and Marques Johnson, we all had a chance to talk, compare eras... it was a great, great time. Who would ever guess that a second-round pick from Ohio State ... was a huge fan of those other guys. I want to get their autographs.
"Being picked by the fans is big, too. They've really been terrific during my tenure here. Every way you look at it, I've been blessed, truly blessed."
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