It just feels like the Milwaukee Bucks are on the brink of a dynasty. Their recent surge has been mainly due to the emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo as one of the best players in the league. Behind the Greek Freak is a staggering depth chart led by All-Stars Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday.
During its entire history, this franchise has won just one NBA title. This was in 1971 when a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-led squad bannered Bucks news everywhere with a championship victory. Between then and now, a lot has transpired. Milwaukee has had some pretty good teams, and some awful ones as well. Nonetheless, there has been no shortage of outstanding players gracing this team's roster. Today, what we have for you are three of the best power forwards in franchise history.
3. Vin Baker
Vin Baker arrived in Milwaukee as a 22-year-old rookie. The Bucks selected him eighth overall following a highly-impressive college career for the University of Hartford. He would make the All-Rookie team in his debut season and would be called up to the All-Star squad as early as his sophomore year. This would be succeeded by two more All-Star appearances for the 6-foot-11 power forward, making it three straight.
Unfortunately, Baker was part of a Bucks side that struggled to make its mark in the league. Throughout Baker's four years with the team, they never eclipsed 34 wins in a single season, making them miss out on the playoffs throughout his tenure. Nonetheless, Baker was still able to establish himself as one of the best power forwards in the league, averaging 21.0 points (on 50.5 percent shooting), 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game in his final year with the Bucks.
In 1997, Milwaukee decided to move on from Baker, including him in a blockbuster three-team deal, which also involved All-Star forward Shawn Kemp making the move from the Seattle Supersonics to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Baker would go on to have a relatively successful career with the Sonics, before bouncing from team to team in the final three years of his career. There is no denying that the best spell of his career was with the Bucks.
2. Terry Cummings
There is little doubt that 6-foot-9 forward Terry Cummings is up there as one of the all-time great Bucks, and he actually takes the second spot in our all-time power forwards list.
Cummings was the second overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, being selected by the San Diego Clippers. He won Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season, and after two successful campaigns with the Clippers, the Bucks got their hands on the highly-touted youngster via a trade deal in 1984.
In his first season in Milwaukee, Cummings averaged 23.6 points (on 49.5 percent shooting), 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, en route to his first out of two All-Star appearances while with the Bucks. Playing alongside the great Sidney Moncrief, Cummings would help lead the team to five straight playoff appearances, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1986.
After five seasons with the Bucks, Cummings would make his way to the San Antonio Spurs via trade. He went on to have a long career ahead of him, but he had his best years in Milwaukee. Cummings retired at 38 years of age in 2000, after 18 years in the business.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Basketball-Reference lists Giannis as a power forward, point guard, small forward, and shooting guard. Safe to say, he can pretty much play any position on the basketball court, but for the purposes of our discussion here, we're pegging him as a four — the greatest power forward in Bucks history, that is.
What's amazing about Antetokounmpo is that he's just 26 years old, and is currently just on his eighth season as a Buck. He's already achieved a lot during this time — five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA first team, two-time All-Defensive first team, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and of course, two Most Valuable Player trophies.
No other power forward in franchise history has a more impressive resume than Giannis, which makes him the very best. The only thing missing from his trophy cabinet is the NBA championship, but if everything goes according to plan, then Antetokounmpo is looking like the man who will lead the team to their first title since 1971.
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