When the Bucks announced last month that, in celebration of the team's 50th anniversary, they would play a game at the MECCA this http://www.firestormkennel.com/donta-foreman-jersey-c-1_33.html season, it got us to thinking about arenas and history – especially as the franchise's future venue is quickly being built just down the street from its previous two buildings. Who were the best players from the old MECCA years? What about those from the more recent Bradley Center era?
The MECCA hosted some of the best basketball Milwaukee's ever seen – from the 1971 NBA Championship to the stretch of seven straight division titles in the '80s – during its time as the Bucks' home court (1968-88). Since the team's move to the Bradley Center in 1988, there's been significantly less success – though the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals team had plenty of individual talent, and the current squad has shown the league its huge potential.
When Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the Bucks move into their new arena – scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2018 season – they'll undoubtedly make their mark on and leave plenty of memories at the yet-unnamed building.
Until then, to commemorate the great players who hooped at the MECCA, as well as those that balled at the BC, we picked completely subjective, open-to-disagreement but nonetheless-authoritative All-Arena teams for both venues. (Note: The selection process was so difficult that we had to pick second teams; also, we used the current All-NBA format of choosing two guards, two forwards and a center, then we added a sixth man and a coach for each team.)
On Wednesday, we published our picks for Milwaukee's All-MECCA teams, and today we present the Bucks' All-Bradley Center teams:
Milwaukee Bucks' All-Bradley Center First Team
Guard: Ray Allen (1996-2003) – A two-time All-Star in Milwaukee, Allen in 2001 was an All-NBA Third Teamer and part of the Big Three that the Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals. He ranks sixth all-time in points per game average (19.6) and minutes (36.3), and is among the franchise's top 10 in total scoring, games played, minutes, steals, field-goal, 3-point and free-throw shooting. Adored in the community, Allen remains one of the most popular players among fans, and hopefully he'll make a celebratory return http://www.armacan.com/graham-gano-jersey-c-1_43.html to the BC this season while the Bucks are still there.
Guard: Michael Redd (2000-11) – One of the best shooters the Bucks have ever had, Redd – a second-round draft pick – ranks fourth in franchise history in scoring (11,554) and fifth in points per game average (20.0), despite having played on some of Milwaukee's lousiest teams. The lefty is in the Bucks' top three in 3-pointers made, 3-pointers attempted, free throws made and free throws attempted; in 2004, he was an All-Star and All-NBA Third Teamer. Had knee injuries not derailed his career, he could have been one of the organization's greatest players.
Forward: Glenn Robinson (1994-2002) – The Big Dog is the Bucks' second-leading scorer all-time in both total points (12,010) and per-game average (21.1). The former No. 1 overall draft pick signed a rookie-record 10-year, $68 million deal in 1994, and went on to be a two-time All-Star in Milwaukee. One of the most gifted offensive players that ever suited up for the Bucks, Robinson ranks among their top five in nearly every shooting category and was an underrated rebounder. Fun fact: He has 300 more turnovers than the next-highest person on the list.
Forward: Vin Baker (1993-97) – The physically dominant power forward spent five very extremely productive seasons with the Bucks, before being traded to Seattle and enduring personal problems. In Milwaukee, Baker made three All-Star teams, was named to the All-NBA Second Team and averaged 18.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He ranks second in team history in minutes per game (38.3) and third in rebounding average (9.5). From 1994-97, Baker and Robinson formed one of the league's most unstoppable frontcourts.
Center: Andrew Bogut (2005-12) – The No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005, Bogut's career in Milwaukee was promise-filled, occasionally Fozzy Whittaker Kids Jersey productive and injury-plagued. In 408 games over seven seasons, Bogut averaged 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, earning All-NBA Third Team honors in 2010, when he put up 15.9, 10.2 and 2.5. When he was healthy, he was one of the most consistent and important centers in the league. In 2012, he fractured his ankle and was traded to Golden State.