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1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks season

NBA professional basketball team season

NBA professional basketball team season

(Jim Paschke, Jon McGlocklin) (lost to Pistons 0–4)

The 1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks season was the 21st season for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association. This was also the team's first season playing in the Bradley Center, after they moved there from the Milwaukee Arena, otherwise known as "The Mecca". The Bucks had the 13th overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Jeff Grayer out of Iowa State University. During the off-season, the team acquired Fred Roberts from the Miami Heat expansion team.

However, Grayer only played just eleven games this season due to being diagnosed with the chicken pox, and suffering two knee injuries. The Bucks struggled with a 3–4 start to the regular season, but later on posted a six-game winning streak in January, and held a 30–15 record at the All-Star break. The team finished in fourth place in the Central Division with a 49–33 record, and earned the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Terry Cummings averaged 22.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while sixth man Ricky Pierce averaged 17.6 points per game off the bench, and Jack Sikma provided the team with 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and also led them with 82 three-point field goals. In addition, Larry Krystkowiak averaged 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while Paul Pressey provided with 12.1 points, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game, Sidney Moncrief also contributed 12.1 points per game, and Jay Humphries averaged 11.6 points, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Meanwhile, Grayer contributed 7.4 points per game during his short 11-game stint, and Roberts provided with 5.9 points per game.

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, Cummings was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his second and final All-Star appearance. Cummings also finished tied in 17th place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Pierce finished tied in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, Krystkowiak finished tied in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting, and head coach Del Harris finished tied in seventh place in Coach of the Year voting.

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Bucks faced off against the 4th–seeded Atlanta Hawks, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward Dominique Wilkins, All-Star center Moses Malone, and Reggie Theus. After losing Game 1 on the road, 100–92 at the Omni Coliseum, the Bucks won the next two games over the Hawks to take a 2–1 series lead, but then lost Game 4 at home in overtime, 113–106 at the Bradley Center, as the Hawks evened the series. The Bucks then won Game 5 over the Hawks at the Omni Coliseum, 96–92 to win in a full five-game series; this marked the last time the Bucks would advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs until the 2000–01 season.

In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Bucks faced off against the top–seeded, and Central Division champion Detroit Pistons, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and Bill Laimbeer. However, due to injuries to Cummings, Pressey and Krystkowiak, the Bucks lost the first two games to the Pistons on the road at The Palace of Auburn Hills, then lost their next two home games, losing Game 4 at the Bradley Center, 96–94, thus losing the series in a four-game sweep. The Pistons would reach the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year, and defeat the 2-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals, winning their first ever NBA championship.

Following the season, Cummings was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, and Moncrief retired after ten seasons with the Bucks due to continuing knee problems. Shortly after the regular season began, team owner Herb Kohl was elected to the first of four terms representing the United States Senate in Wisconsin.

Draft picks

Main article: 1988 NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
113Jeff GrayerSF/SGIowa State
239Tito HorfordCMiami (FL)
363Mike JonesAuburn

Roster

  • Del Harris
  • Mack Calvin
  • Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
  • Frank Hamblen

Regular season

Season standings

:z - clinched division title :y - clinched division title :x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | | @ Indiana | W 117–103 | Terry Cummings (26) | Jack Sikma (10) | Jay Humphries (5) | Market Square Arena | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | | Atlanta | L 94–107 | Terry Cummings (19) | Jack Sikma (10) | Ricky Pierce (5) | Bradley Center 18,649 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | | Philadelphia | W 114–103 | Terry Cummings (31) | Larry Krystkowiak, Paul Pressey (7) | Jay Humphries (6) | Bradley Center 14,192 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | | Boston | W 108–100 | | | | Bradley Center 18,673 | 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | | New Jersey | L 96–105 | | | | Bradley Center 15,419 | 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | | @ Cleveland | L 99–106 | | | | Richfield Coliseum 17,287 | 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | | @ Indiana | L 91–105 | | | | Market Square Arena | 3–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 8 | | Washington | W 124–102 | | | | Bradley Center 15,102 | 4–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 9 | | @ Boston | L 96–115 | | | | Boston Garden 14,890 | 4–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 10 | | Miami | W 103–93 | | | | Bradley Center 18,573 | 5–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 11 | | Portland | W 119–114 | | | | Bradley Center 13,918 | 6–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 12 | | Cleveland | L 96–99 | | | | Bradley Center 14,215 | 6–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 13 | | @ New Jersey | W 103–92 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 7–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 14 | | Detroit | W 106–84 | | | | Bradley Center 15,619 | 8–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 15 | | @ New York | L 109–113 | | | | Madison Square Garden 14,356 | 8–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 16 | | @ Chicago | L 100–118 | | | | Chicago Stadium 17,592 | 8–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 17 | | L. A. Lakers | W 95–94 | | | | Bradley Center 18,633 | 9–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 18 | | @ Philadelphia | W 109–91 | | | | The Spectrum 10,003 | 10–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 19 | | @ Detroit | W 119–110 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 | 11–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 20 | | @ Atlanta | L 112–115 | | | | The Omni 14,379 | 11–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 21 | | Chicago | L 93–112 | | | | Bradley Center 18,633 | 11–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 22 | | Charlotte | W 125–115 | | | | Bradley Center 15,075 | 12–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 23 | | @ Charlotte | W 112–100 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum 23,010 | 13–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 24 | | Dallas | W 113–101 | | | | Bradley Center 18,633 | 14–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 25 | | Indiana | W 120–107 | | | | Bradley Center 18,633 | 15–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 26 | | Atlanta | L 113–117 | | | | Bradley Center 18,633 | 15–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 27 | | L. A. Clippers | W 110–102 | | | | Bradley Center 15,287 | 16–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 28 | | @ Washington | W 128–121 2OT | | | | Baltimore Arena | 17–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 29 | | Utah | W 107–89 | | | | Bradley Center 18,633 | 18–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 30 | | Denver | W 123–106 | | | | Bradley Center 15,702 | 19–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 31 | | @ Miami | W 107–101 | | | | Miami Arena 15,008 | 20–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 32 | | Detroit | W 120–112 | | | | Bradley Center 18,633 | 21–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 33 | | @ Atlanta | L 98–111 | | | | The Omni 15,387 | 21–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 34 | | Charlotte | W 118–106 | | | | Bradley Center 16,145 | 22–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 35 | | @ Utah | L 96–98 | | | | Salt Palace 12,444 | 22–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 36 | | @ Denver | W 116–107 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena 17,022 | 23–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 37 | | @ Sacramento | W 114–110 | | | | ARCO Arena 16,517 | 24–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 38 | | @ Portland | W 127–109 | | | | Memorial Coliseum 12,848 | 25–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 39 | | @ L. A. Clippers |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 40 | | @ Seattle |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 41 | | Sacramento |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 42 | | @ Indiana |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 43 | | @ Washington |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 44 | | Cleveland |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 45 | | @ Detroit |- align="center" |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 46 | | New Jersey |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 47 | | @ Chicago |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 48 | | Chicago |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 49 | | Indiana |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 50 | | @ Boston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 51 | | Houston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 52 | | San Antonio |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 53 | | New York |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 54 | | @ Chicago |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 55 | | @ Cleveland |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 56 | | Washington |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 57 | | Seattle |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 58 | | Phoenix |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 59 | | @ Dallas |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 60 | | @ San Antonio |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 61 | | @ Houston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 62 | | Detroit |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 63 | | @ New York |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 64 | | Boston |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 65 | | @ Cleveland |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 66 | | Cleveland |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 67 | | Golden State |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 68 | | Chicago |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 69 | | @ Phoenix |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 70 | | @ L. A. Lakers |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 71 | | @ Golden State |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 72 | | New York |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 73 | | Philadelphia |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 74 | | @ Detroit |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 75 | | New Jersey |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 76 | | @ Washington |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 77 | | @ Atlanta |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 78 | | @ New Jersey |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 79 | | @ Philadelphia |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 80 | | Atlanta |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 81 | | @ Charlotte |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 82 | | Indiana

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | | @ Atlanta | L 92–100 | Jay Humphries (20) | Terry Cummings (8) | Sidney Moncrief (6) | The Omni 14,541 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | | @ Atlanta | W 108–98 | Terry Cummings (22) | Terry Cummings (8) | Jack Sikma (7) | The Omni 15,742 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | | Atlanta | W 117–113 (OT) | Ricky Pierce (35) | Terry Cummings (14) | Jay Humphries (10) | Bradley Center 18,469 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | | Atlanta | L 106–113 (OT) | Jack Sikma (24) | Larry Krystkowiak (10) | Jay Humphries (15) | Bradley Center 18,633 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | | @ Atlanta | W 96–92 | Ricky Pierce (25) | Jack Sikma (9) | Jay Humphries (5) | The Omni 16,220

3–2
- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
1

| | @ Detroit | L 80–85 | Ricky Pierce (25) | Sidney Moncrief (6) | Jay Humphries (6) | The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | | @ Detroit | L 92–112 | Krystkowiak, Pierce (22) | Larry Krystkowiak (13) | Rickey Green (6) | The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | | Detroit | L 90–110 | Ricky Pierce (22) | Randy Breuer (8) | Jay Humphries (5) | Bradley Center 18,633 | 0–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | | Detroit | L 94–96 | Fred Roberts (33) | Randy Breuer (9) | Jay Humphries (14) | Bradley Center 18,633

0–4

Player statistics

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Terry Cummings807835.346.746.778.78.12.51.30.922.9
Ricky Pierce75427.751.822.285.92.62.11.00.317.6
Jack Sikma808032.343.138.090.57.83.61.10.813.4
Larry Krystkowiak807730.947.333.382.37.61.31.20.112.7
Paul Pressey676232.447.421.877.63.96.61.80.712.1
Sidney Moncrief625025.749.134.286.52.83.01.00.212.1
Jay Humphries735030.448.326.681.62.65.51.90.111.6
Jeff Grayer11218.243.80.085.03.22.00.90.17.4
Fred Roberts71317.648.621.480.62.90.90.50.35.9
Rickey Green30016.754.533.389.51.53.50.70.15.4
Randy Breuer48410.748.00.054.92.80.50.20.84.2
Mark Davis3108.149.511.181.31.20.50.40.24.0
Tony Brown2909.449.328.678.31.00.70.40.13.2
Paul Mokeski7409.336.026.978.42.50.50.40.32.2
Tito Horford2504.532.60.063.20.90.10.00.31.7
Andre Turner403.350.00.00.00.80.00.50.01.5
Mike Dunleavy202.550.050.00.00.00.00.00.01.5

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Ricky Pierce9032.454.675.087.22.82.81.20.222.3
Fred Roberts9538.349.00.085.04.32.20.60.414.7
Jay Humphries9935.949.516.788.23.07.80.90.014.6
Terry Cummings5424.836.20.087.56.61.40.60.012.8
Jack Sikma9933.439.428.682.15.63.30.90.411.7
8829.942.60.087.15.61.50.30.110.6
Sidney Moncrief9920.439.628.693.82.91.40.60.26.1
Paul Mokeski5012.257.1100.075.03.40.60.00.04.6
Randy Breuer9118.053.10.038.54.40.60.20.74.3
Rickey Green8013.841.450.0100.01.62.30.60.03.6
Tony Brown6011.536.40.075.01.21.00.30.01.8

Player statistics citation:

Awards and records

  • Terry Cummings, All-NBA Third Team

Transactions

Trades

October 4, [1988](1988-89-nba-season)To **Milwaukee Bucks**----To **Seattle SuperSonics**----

Free agents

Rickey GreenMarch 1, 1989Charlotte Hornets
SubtractionsPlayerDate signedNew team
John StroederExpansion Draft June 23, 1988Miami Heat
Jim LesOctober 20, 1988Utah Jazz

Player Transactions Citation:

References

References

  1. [https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1989.html 1988-89 Milwaukee Bucks]
  2. Weil, Mike. (June 28, 1988). "The Los Angeles Clippers Today Attained Some of the...". United Press International.
  3. Goldaper, Sam. (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times.
  4. "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.
  5. Goldaper, Sam. (June 24, 1988). "Miami Chooses "Who?" First". The New York Times.
  6. Edes, Gordon. (June 24, 1988). "Billy Thompson Goes to Miami; Valentine Winds Up in Cleveland". Los Angeles Times.
  7. (October 14, 1988). "Roberts Hopes He'll Be with Bucks Long Enough to Get Bags Unpacked". Deseret News.
  8. (October 30, 1988). "Milwaukee Bucks First-Round Draft Choice Jeff Grayer Was Hospitalized...". United Press International.
  9. (January 3, 1989). "In Brief: Milwaukee's Grayer Injured Again". Los Angeles Times.
  10. (January 13, 1989). "Jeff Grayer of the Milwaukee Bucks, a Guard on...". United Press International.
  11. "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference.
  12. "1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
  13. "1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
  14. McManis, Sam. (February 12, 1989). "Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same". Los Angeles Times.
  15. (September 13, 2021). "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com.
  16. "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference.
  17. (May 23, 1989). "NBA MVP Voting". The Victoria Advocate.
  18. "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.
  19. (May 9, 1989). "NBA Sixth Man Voting". Rome News-Tribune.
  20. (May 16, 1989). "Johnson Named Most Improved Player". Lewiston Tribune.
  21. (May 25, 1989). "Fitzsimmons Coach of Year". Los Angeles Times.
  22. (April 28, 1989). "Bucks Control Pace, But Hawks Pull It Out". The New York Times.
  23. (April 28, 1989). "Inside". The New York Times.
  24. Moffit, David. (April 28, 1989). "Atlanta 100, Milwaukee 92". United Press International.
  25. (May 8, 1989). "Bucks Defeat Hawks and Clinch Series". The New York Times.
  26. Hafner, Dan. (May 8, 1989). "NBA Playoffs: Bucks Defeat Hawks, Take on Pistons Next". Los Angeles Times.
  27. "1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Bucks vs. Hawks". Basketball-Reference.
  28. Brown, Clifton. (May 16, 1989). "Pistons Edge Bucks to Complete a Sweep". The New York Times.
  29. (May 16, 1989). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Pistons Sweep Bucks Out of the Way". Los Angeles Times.
  30. "1989 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Bucks vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference.
  31. Goldaper, Sam. (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers". The New York Times.
  32. McManis, Sam. (June 14, 1989). "Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97". Los Angeles Times.
  33. "1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference.
  34. (May 29, 1989). "Cummings Is Traded for 2 Spurs Starters". The New York Times.
  35. (May 29, 1989). "Spurs Get Cummings for Robertson, Anderson". Los Angeles Times.
  36. (May 29, 1989). "Bucks Trade Cummings to San Antonio for Robertson, Anderson". The Washington Post.
  37. (October 13, 1989). "THE SIDELINES - Bucks' Moncrief Retiring". Los Angeles Times.
  38. Yates, Tommy. (October 13, 1989). "Ex-Bucks Star Sidney Moncrief Retires". United Press International.
  39. (October 14, 1989). "Sidney Moncrief Retires". Deseret News.
  40. Dewar, Helen. (September 4, 1988). "3 Open Senate Seats Critical to G.O.P.". The Washington Post.
  41. (September 14, 1988). "Team Owner Wins Wisconsin Primary". Los Angeles Times.
  42. Rosenbaum, David E.. (October 31, 1988). "The Race for Congress; Choice in Wisconsin: Rich Is (A) Evil, or (B) Good". The New York Times.
  43. "1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks Transactions". Basketball-Reference.
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