2000-2001 Milwaukee Bucks: Deer Stampede

2000-2001 Milwaukee Bucks: Deer Stampede

2000-2001 Milwaukee Bucks: Deer Stampede

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s the Milwaukee Bucks hung around as one of those teams that were solid enough to compete with any other team in the NBA, though they were not an overwhelming powerhouse filled with big name talent. The talent the Bucks did have on their roster was pretty impressive considering the time. It just so happened to be that this Bucks team at the turn of the 21^st Century managed to make a deep run with the roster they had.

In the 2000-2001 NBA season the Milwaukee Bucks went 52-30, winning the Central Division by 5 games over the Toronto Raptors. The Bucks went 31-10 on their home court of the Bradley Center and 21-20 on the road. The Bucks went 19-9 in divisional play.

Shooting guard Ray Allen emerged as one of the better shooters in the NBA. Allen had 1,806 points, 428 rebounds, 374 assists and 124 steals, making 202 of 467 3-point shots and 348 of 392 free throws. Small forward Glenn Robinson had 1,674 points, 526 rebounds, 252 assists, 86 steals and 62 blocks, making 55 of 184 3-point shots and 251 of 306 free throws. Point guard Sam Cassell had 1,381 points, 580 assists and 88 steals, making 30 of 98 3-point shots and 277 of 323 free throws. Together this trio of Allen, Robinson and Cassell developed terrific plays for the Bucks all season long, and it was their consistency that led the Bucks to success as a team.

Power forward Tim Thomas had 954 points and 78 steals, making 107 of 260 3-point shots. Point guard Lindsey Hunter was traded to the Bucks from the Detroit Pistons on August 22, 2000 in exchange for small forward and shooting guard Billy Owens. Hunter had 825 points and 102 steals, making 152 of 407 3-point shots and 77 of 96 free throws. Power forward Jason Caffey had 500 points and made 142 of 211 free throws. Center Scott Williams had 403 points and made60 of 70 free throws. Center Ervin Johnson had 613 rebounds and 97 blocks and made 108 of 198 field goal shots.

In the First Round of the Eastern Conference playoffs the Bucks had no problems in getting past the Orlando Magic as they downed the Magic 3 games to 1. In Game 1 on April 22 at the Bradley Center the Bucks won 103-90. Ray Allen had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, making 2 of 3 3-point shots. Scott Williams had 19 points and 16 rebounds. Sam Cassell had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. In Game 2 on April 25 the Bucks won 103-96. Allen had 27 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals, making 2 of 3 3-point shots. Cassell had 26 points and 4 rebounds.

The Magic got their only win of the series by beating the Bucks 121-116 in overtime in Game 3 at the TD Waterhouse Center. However, the Bucks would shut the door on the Magic right after with a 112-104 win in Game 4 on May 1. Allen had 26 points and 5 rebounds, making 2 of 2 3-point shots. Cassell had 25 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists, making 2 of 3 3-point shots. Glenn Robinson had 17 points and 8 rebounds, making 1 of 3 3-point shots.

The Eastern Conference Semifinals would be tougher for the Bucks to overcome as they met a team that had just as much talent in the Charlotte Hornets. The Bucks and the Hornets went the 7-game distance in a back and forth series. In Game 1 on May 6 at the Bradley Center the Bucks beat the Hornets 104-97. Cassell had 33 points, 4 rebounds and 11 assists. Robinson had 29 points and 6 rebounds. Allen had 23 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists, making 3 of 6 3-point shots.

In Game 2 on May 8 the Bucks edged out the Hornets 91-90. Allen had 28 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists, making 4 of 7 3-point shots. Robinson had 19 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks. The next 3 games would go to the Hornets as they convincingly beat the Bucks each time, winning 102-92 in Game 3 on May 10 at the Charlotte Coliseum, 85-78 in Game 4 on May 13, and 94-86 in Game 5 on May 15 at the Bradley Center.

The Bucks would rebound in a big way as they won Game 6 on May 17 at the Charlotte Coliseum 104-97. Cassell had 33 points, 4 rebounds and 11 assists. Robinson had 29 points and 6 rebounds. Allen had 23 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists, making 3 of 6 3-point shots. In the deciding Game 7 on May 20 at the Bradley Center the Bucks beat the Hornets 104-95 to send them home. Robinson had 29 points and 5 rebounds, making 3 of 5 3-point shots. Allen had 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, making 2 of 6 3-point shots. Cassell had 17 points, 3 rebounds and 13 assists, making 1 of 3 3-point shots.

The Eastern Conference Finals would be another back and forth battle, this time pitting the Bucks against the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that had a superstar of their own in Allen Iverson. Unfortunately for the Bucks they wouldn’t get the better end of this 7-game series as they fell to the 76ers 4 games to 3.

In Game 2 on May 24 at the First Union Center the Bucks beat the 76ers 92-78. Allen had 38 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, making 7 of 11 3-point shots. Robinson had 16 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists, making 2 of 5 3-point shots. In Game 3 on May 26 at the Bradley Center the Bucks won 80-74. Sam Cassell had 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Allen had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Robinson  had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals, making 2 of 5 3-point shots. The Bucks tied the series at 3 games apiece with a 110-100 win in Game 6 on June 1 at the Bradley Center. Ray Allen had 41 points, 4 assists and 3 steals, making 9 of 13 3-point shots. Glenn Robinson had 22 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists, making 1 of 2 3-point shots.

The Bucks would return to the playoffs in 2004 and 2005, but both of those playoff appearances would result in early exits from the First Round. The Deer Stampede of 2000-2001 was a special spark for the Bucks organization, even if it was brief.