1997-98 Milwaukee Bucks season highlighted by Glenn Robinson scoring brilliance and Ray Allen growth but inconsistency doomed Chris Ford’s playoff hopes
The 1997-98 Milwaukee Bucks season was one filled with flashes of excitement, statistical brilliance, and moments where it seemed like the team was ready to take a bigger step forward, only for inconsistency and a lack of defensive discipline to drag them back down. With a record of 36-46, the Bucks missed the playoffs, but the roster had a unique mix of established stars, rising talents, and veterans nearing the twilight of their careers. The season may not have resulted in postseason success, but it was a transitional year that helped set the stage for what the Bucks would eventually build in the coming years.
The starting lineup was centered around three key figures: Terrell Brandon at point guard, Ray Allen at shooting guard, and Glenn Robinson at small forward. Alongside them were Tyrone Hill, a strong rebounder and physical presence in the paint, and Ervin Johnson, the rim protector who patrolled the back line of defense. This unit had balance in terms of scoring and defense, but the team often struggled to sustain momentum in the rugged Eastern Conference.
Glenn Robinson was the unquestioned scoring leader, averaging 23.4 points per game. Nicknamed “Big Dog,” Robinson was already an established star in the league by this time, known for his smooth mid-range jumper and ability to score in a variety of ways. He provided Milwaukee with a reliable offensive option, but there were times where the offense became overly reliant on him to carry the load. When he was hot, the Bucks looked competitive against nearly anyone, but when defenses keyed in on him, the rest of the roster struggled to step up consistently.
Meanwhile, Ray Allen was in his second NBA season and beginning to show signs of the superstar shooter and all-around scorer he would become. His smooth shooting stroke was evident, and his ability to space the floor complemented Robinson’s mid-range scoring. While Allen was not yet the perennial All-Star he would grow into, his development was one of the biggest positives of the season. Fans could sense that he was the future face of the franchise, and his growth gave Milwaukee hope for brighter days ahead.
At the point guard spot, Terrell Brandon was a steady floor general. Acquired the season before in a blockbuster trade involving Shawn Kemp and Vin Baker, Brandon brought stability to the position. He averaged 7.7 assists per game, leading the team in playmaking, while also contributing defensively with 2.2 steals per game. His presence ensured that the offense had direction, though injuries and fatigue limited his consistency at times. Still, Brandon was an important piece who helped facilitate the offense and bring order to a sometimes disjointed attack.
Tyrone Hill was the muscle inside, averaging a team-leading 10.7 rebounds per game. His work on the boards provided second chances on offense and limited opponents’ opportunities on defense. He was not a prolific scorer, but his toughness and rebounding presence were crucial for the Bucks to stay competitive against some of the more physical Eastern Conference frontcourts. Alongside him, Ervin Johnson anchored the defense with 2.0 blocks per game. Johnson was not known for scoring, but his rim protection and ability to deter opponents in the paint made him valuable. This frontcourt duo gave the Bucks an identity in the interior, even if it wasn’t always enough to counterbalance the scoring issues behind Robinson and Allen.
The reserves provided a mix of veteran leadership and young players trying to find their roles. Ricky Pierce, the veteran scorer who had already made a name for himself in Milwaukee during earlier stints, returned when the team signed him in December 1997. Pierce was no longer the Sixth Man of the Year-level scorer he had once been, but his presence gave the Bucks another offensive option off the bench. Michael Curry added defensive toughness and versatility on the wing, while Armon Gilliam provided reliable scoring and rebounding in the frontcourt. Elliot Perry, known for his quickness and energy, gave the team depth in the backcourt, while journeyman Litterial Green was signed in March 1998 to provide further guard depth late in the season. Younger players like Jerald Honeycutt and Jamie Feick were still trying to prove themselves, while Andrew Lang offered size and defense as a backup big man.
The mix of veterans and developing players gave head coach Chris Ford plenty of pieces to work with, but the team often struggled to find a consistent identity. Ford, who had previously coached the Boston Celtics, brought a structured approach, but the Bucks’ execution on both ends of the floor was uneven. The offense often relied too heavily on isolation scoring, while defensively, lapses in perimeter defense and rotations undermined the interior efforts of Hill and Johnson.
The Eastern Conference was a gauntlet during the late 1990s, with teams like the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks all playing at a high level. For a team like Milwaukee, trying to climb into playoff contention required not only talent but also consistent execution and toughness. While the Bucks had talented individual players, they lacked the cohesion and experience of the top-tier teams in the conference.
The 36-46 record reflected this inconsistency. Milwaukee would occasionally pull off impressive wins, especially when Robinson and Allen clicked offensively, but they struggled to maintain that level of play across stretches of the season. Defensive lapses, coupled with limited bench scoring, often led to losses in close games. The Bucks simply didn’t have the depth or discipline to compete with the elite teams on a nightly basis.
However, despite the frustrating record, the season carried significance in shaping the future of the franchise. Ray Allen’s growth stood out as the biggest storyline. His combination of shooting, athleticism, and work ethic was already making him one of the most exciting young players in the NBA. Fans and analysts could already project that he would be an All-Star and potentially one of the best shooters in league history. The seeds of that future were planted during this developmental phase in Milwaukee.
Glenn Robinson continued to provide star-level scoring, but questions about whether he could be the centerpiece of a championship contender remained. While his scoring numbers were impressive, critics often pointed to his defense and overall impact on winning as areas that limited his ceiling as a true franchise player. Nonetheless, his consistent production was a major asset for the Bucks, and paired with Allen, the team had a formidable one-two punch on the wing.
Terrell Brandon’s leadership also proved important, though injuries would later hamper his ability to remain a long-term solution at point guard. Still, his presence in 1997-98 brought professionalism and stability to a position that had been uncertain for Milwaukee in previous years. Tyrone Hill and Ervin Johnson both reinforced the idea that the Bucks were willing to put defense and rebounding at the forefront, even if it came at the expense of offensive firepower in the frontcourt.
Looking back, the 1997-98 season feels like a transitional year. The Bucks were not yet a playoff team, but they were laying the groundwork for the future. Within two years, under new head coach George Karl, Milwaukee would become a legitimate playoff contender, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001 with Robinson, Allen, and Sam Cassell leading the way. The frustrations of 1997-98 were part of the learning curve for a young team trying to find its identity in a tough era of Eastern Conference basketball.
The roster notes from the season also highlight how Milwaukee was searching for the right mix. Bringing back Ricky Pierce was a nod to the past, as he had been a fan favorite and key contributor during his earlier days with the Bucks. Signing Litterial Green in March 1998 showed how the team was still tinkering with its backcourt depth even late in the season, trying to find additional support behind Brandon and Allen. These moves didn’t transform the team’s fortunes, but they reflected the front office’s efforts to stay competitive and flexible.
Ultimately, the 1997-98 Milwaukee Bucks may not be remembered as one of the franchise’s most successful squads, but it was an important stepping stone. The combination of Glenn Robinson’s scoring, Ray Allen’s development, and the leadership of veterans provided a foundation. While Chris Ford’s tenure as head coach did not produce a playoff breakthrough, the lessons learned during this season helped push the franchise toward a more competitive future.
For fans, it was a season of mixed emotions—frustration with the losses, excitement about Allen’s rise, and appreciation for Robinson’s scoring ability. The record showed a team still searching for its identity, but the individual performances kept fans hopeful. In hindsight, the 1997-98 Bucks represented both the struggles of the late 1990s and the promise of what was to come in the early 2000s, when Milwaukee would finally return to playoff relevance.
