The Milwaukee Bucks officially joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) as an expansion team on January 22, 1968. This marked a significant moment for the city of Milwaukee, as it brought an NBA franchise back after a 13-year absence, following the relocation of the Hawks to St. Louis in 1955. The new team was awarded to Milwaukee Professional Sports and Services, a group spearheaded by businessmen Wesley Pavlon and Marvin Fishman, laying
the groundwork for what would become a storied franchise in professional basketball.
The Naming of a New Franchise
One of the earliest and most engaging aspects of the team's formation was the process of naming the franchise. Over 40,000 fans actively participated in a contest to suggest a name for Milwaukee's new NBA team. While the name "Robins" initially emerged as the most popular choice among the fans, the team owners ultimately decided to go with the second-most popular suggestion: "Bucks." This choice was made in direct reference to Wisconsin's state wild animal, the white-tailed deer, a creature known for its agility and spirit.
The fan credited with famously suggesting the name "Bucks" was R. D. Trebilcox. He articulated his reasoning by describing bucks as "spirited, good jumpers, fast and agile," qualities that perfectly encapsulated the desired characteristics for a professional basketball team. As a token of appreciation for his pivotal role in naming the team, Trebilcox was awarded a new car, a memorable gesture that further cemented the community's involvement in the team's inception.
Building the Inaugural Roster and First Season Challenges
With the franchise established and a name chosen, the next crucial step was assembling a team. The Milwaukee Bucks participated in the 1968 NBA expansion draft, a mechanism designed to allow new teams to acquire players from existing franchises. Notable players selected by the Bucks in this draft included former first overall pick Fred Hetzel, six-time All-Star Larry Costello, five-time All-Star Wayne Embry, four-time All-Star Guy Rodgers, and one-time All-Star Len Chappell. Interestingly, Larry Costello, despite being selected, retired from playing due to injury prior to the season and was instead named the franchise's first head coach.
Ten players from the expansion draft joined the Bucks for their inaugural season. However, only three of these players remained with the team for more than one season. Jon McGlocklin, one of the players acquired in the expansion draft, went on to play eight seasons with the Bucks and was named to the 1969 All-Star Game, becoming the franchise's first All-Star. He was also the only player from that initial expansion draft class to be part of the Bucks team that won the NBA championship in 1971, highlighting his long-term impact.
The First Game and Early Struggles
The Milwaukee Bucks played their very first NBA regular-season game on October 16, 1968, facing off against the Chicago Bulls. This historic event took place before a crowd of 8,467 people. While the excitement of a new team was palpable, the inaugural season proved to be a challenging one on the court. The team managed to win only 27 games throughout the entire year, a common experience for expansion teams as they work to build chemistry and acquire talent.
Despite the initial struggles, the establishment of the Milwaukee Bucks represented a significant return of professional basketball to the city. The fan engagement in the naming process, the strategic selections in the expansion draft, and the eventual development of key players like Jon McGlocklin laid the essential groundwork for the team's future success. This foundational period, though marked by a modest win-loss record, was crucial in setting the stage for the Bucks to eventually become an NBA champion.
