Milwaukee Bucks · Franchise era 3 of 6
A decade in the middle: the Milwaukee Bucks story
Franchise era
1987–88—1997–98
A decade in the middle
Milwaukee Bucks
The story in one sentence
Milwaukee cycled from veteran competitiveness into a talented young frontcourt without finding a stable contender.
01
Sporadic stars, little continuity
02
Alvin Robertson, Glenn Robinson and Vin Baker gave the era its recognizable core.
03
Its ending created the conditions for the big three.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1987–88
What came before
The Bucks won seven straight division titles behind elite defense and balanced scoring, but the East's superteams blocked a Finals trip.
1988
Eastern Conference First Round: Milwaukee Bucks vs Atlanta Hawks
1989
Eastern Conference First Round: Milwaukee Bucks vs Atlanta Hawks
1989
Eastern Conference Semifinals: Milwaukee Bucks vs Detroit Pistons
After 1997–98
What came next
Allen, Cassell and Robinson formed one of the league's best offenses and came within one game of the 2001 Finals.
The core