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1980–81 Milwaukee Bucks season

NBA professional basketball team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1980–81 Milwaukee Bucks season was the Bucks 13th season in the NBA.[1] They finished with 60 wins and 22 losses, placing first in their division and second in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics. It was the Bucks' best regular season record since 1972–73, and their only 60-win season without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on their roster until the 2018-19 season. The team's top scorer, fourth-year small forward Marques Johnson finished sixth in the MVP voting.

Head coachDon Nelson
General managerDon Nelson
OwnerJim Fitzgerald
ArenaMECCA Arena
Quick facts Milwaukee Bucks season, Head coach ...
1980–81 Milwaukee Bucks season
Division champions
Head coachDon Nelson
General managerDon Nelson
OwnerJim Fitzgerald
ArenaMECCA Arena
Results
Record60–22 (.732)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Central)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to 76ers 3–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionWVTV
RadioWTMJ
< 1979–80 1981–82 >
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Draft picks

Main article: 1980 NBA draft
More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team
363Al Beal United StatesOklahoma
486Jeff Wolf United StatesNorth Carolina
5109Ken Jones United StatesVirginia Commonwealth
6132Alex Gilbert United StatesIndiana State
7155Ron White United StatesFurman
8174Keith Valentine United StatesVirginia Union
9194Del Yarbrough United StatesIllinois State
10210Melvin Crayton United StatesAlabama State
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Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...
1980–81 Milwaukee Bucks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
SF 2 Junior Bridgeman 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1953–09–17 Louisville
PG 21 Quinn Buckner 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1954–08–20 Indiana
PF 42 Harvey Catchings 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1951–09–02 Hardin–Simmons
PF 6 Pat Cummings 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1956–07–11 Cincinnati
C 41 Len Elmore 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1952–03–28 Maryland
PG 5 Mike Evans 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1955–04–19 Kansas State
C 35 Kim Hughes 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1952–06–04 Wisconsin
SF 8 Marques Johnson 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1956–02–08 UCLA
PF 43 Mickey Johnson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1952–08–31 Aurora
C 16 Bob Lanier 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1948–09–10 St. Bonaventure
PG 4 Sidney Moncrief 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1957–09–21 Arkansas
SG 32 Brian Winters 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1952–03–01 South Carolina
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured
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Regular season

Season standings

More information W, L ...
Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Milwaukee Bucks6022.732–34–726–1523–7
x-Chicago Bulls4537.54915.026–1519–2220–9
x-Indiana Pacers4438.53716.027–1417–2417–12
Atlanta Hawks3151.37829.020–2111–309–21
Cleveland Cavaliers2854.34132.020–218–339–21
Detroit Pistons2161.25639.014–277–349–21
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More information #, Team ...
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Boston Celtics6220.756 –
2 y-Milwaukee Bucks6022.7322
3 x-Philadelphia 76ers6220.756–
4 x-New York Knicks5032.61012
5 x-Chicago Bulls4537.54917
6 x-Indiana Pacers4438.53718
7 Washington Bullets3943.47623
8 Atlanta Hawks3151.37831
9 Cleveland Cavaliers2854.34134
10 New Jersey Nets2458.29338
11 Detroit Pistons2161.25641
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Notes

  • z, y – division champions
  • x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

More information 1980–81 game log Total: 60–22 (home: 34–7; road: 26–15), Game ...
1980–81 game log
Total: 60–22 (home: 34–7; road: 26–15)
October: 9–2 (home: 4–1; road: 5–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1October 10, 1980@ Philadelphia W 106–103 Junior Bridgeman (21) The Spectrum 1–0
2October 11, 1980@ New York L 109–114 Marques Johnson (19) Madison Square Garden 1-1
3October 16, 1980Boston L 103–110 Marques Johnson (27) MECCA Arena 1–2
4October 18, 1980@ Cleveland W 107–105 Brian Winters (25) Coliseum at Richfield 2-2
5October 19, 1980New Jersey W 105–93 Brian Winters (22) MECCA Arena 3–2
6October 21, 1980Cleveland W 115–95 Marques Johnson (28) MECCA Arena 4–2
7October 22, 1980@ Indiana W 119–105 Market Square Arena 5–2
8October 25, 1980Chicago W 109–93 Marques Johnson (21) MECCA Arena 6–2
9October 26, 1980Washington W 111–88 Marques Johnson (21) Marques Johnson, Sidney Moncrief (9) Quinn Buckner, Brian Winters (7) MECCA Arena 7–2
10October 28, 1980@ Chicago W 106–99 Chicago Stadium 8–2
11October 29, 1980@ New Jersey W 132–116 Junior Bridgeman (26) Rutgers Athletic Center 9–2
November: 9–3 (home: 2–3; road: 7–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
12November 1, 1980@ Atlanta W 99–93 Omni Coliseum 10–2
13November 2, 1980Indiana W 135–121 Marques Johnson (40) MECCA Arena 11–2
14November 4, 1980Detroit L 96–98 MECCA Arena 11–3
15November 7, 1980@ Boston w 102–101 Boston Garden 12–3
16November 9, 1980Philadelphia L 121–136 MECCA Arena 12–4
17November 11, 1980@ Cleveland W 100–96 Marques Johnson (19) Coliseum at Richfield 13–4
18November 12, 1980@ Detroit W 122–98 Junior Bridgeman (27) Pontiac Silverdome 14–4
19November 14, 1980New York W 125–106 MECCA Arena 15–4
20November 16, 1980Chicago L 108–114 MECCA Arena 15–5
21November 18, 1980@ Utah W 126–93 Sidney Moncrief (21) Salt Palace 16–5
22November 20, 1980@ Portland W 97–93 Mickey Johnson (22) Memorial Coliseum 17–5
23November 23, 1980@ Los Angeles W 110–94 Marques Johnson (24) The Forum 18–5
24November 28, 1980Atlanta W 114–108 OT MECCA Arena 19–5
25November 29, 1980@ Washington L 89–98 Capital Centre 19–6
26November 30, 1980Boston W 107–105 MECCA Arena 20–6
December: 8–5 (home: 7–0; road: 1–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
27December 2, 1980Utah W 119–108 MECCA Arena 21–6
28December 5, 1980Indiana W 102–100 MECCA Arena 22–6
29December 6, 1980@ New York L 94–104 Madison Square Garden 22–7
30December 9, 1980@ Boston L 89–112 Boston Garden 22–8
31December 11, 1980New York W 119–107 MECCA Arena 23–8
32December 13, 1980@ Atlanta L 119–122 Omni Coliseum 23–9
33December 14, 1980San Antonio W 115–98 MECCA Arena 24–9
34December 17, 1980@ New Jersey L 112–115 Rutgers Athletic Center 24–10
35December 18, 1980Detroit W 121–104 MECCA Arena 25–10
36December 19, 1980@ Chicago L 106–129 Chicago Stadium 25–11
37December 21, 1980Houston W 123–91 MECCA Arena 26–11
38December 27, 1980Dallas W 112–96 MECCA Arena 27–11
39December 30, 1980@ Washington W 115–94 Capital Centre 28–11
January: 10–3 (home: 6–0; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
40January 4, 1981San Diego W 128–95 MECCA Arena 29–11
41January 6, 1981New Jersey W 102–86 MECCA Arena 30–11
42January 8, 1981Atlanta W 98–95 MECCA Arena 31–11
43January 10, 1981@ Indiana L 102–106 Market Square Arena 31–12
44January 11, 1981Phoenix W 123–109 MECCA Arena 32–12
45January 13, 1981@ Detroit W 119–96 Pontiac Silverdome 33–12
46January 15, 1981Philadelphia W 113–110 MECCA Arena 34–12
47January 16, 1981Kansas City W 118–112 OT MECCA Arena 35–12
48January 18, 1981Portland W 110–103 MECCA Arena 36–12
49January 21, 1981@ Golden State W 105–98 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 37–12
50January 23, 1981@ Phoenix L 122–131 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 37–13
51January 24, 1981@ San Diego W 121–117 San Diego Sports Arena 38–13
52January 28, 1981@ Seattle W 119–110 Kingdome 39–13
53January 29, 1981@ Denver W 188–131 McNichols Sports Arena 39–14
February: 1–0 (home: 0–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
62February 17, 1981@ Dallas W 114–106 Reunion Arena 45–17
March: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1980–81 schedule
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Playoffs

More information 1981 playoff game log, Game ...
1981 playoff game log
Conference semifinals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 5 @ Philadelphia L 122–125 Junior Bridgeman (32) Marques Johnson (14) Quinn Buckner (8) Spectrum
9,727		 0–1
2 April 7 @ Philadelphia W 109–99 Marques Johnson (22) Bob Lanier (10) Quinn Buckner (6) Spectrum
15,259		 1–1
3 April 10 Philadelphia L 103–108 Marques Johnson (29) Marques Johnson (9) Marques Johnson (8) MECCA Arena
11,052		 1–2
4 April 12 Philadelphia W 109–98 Marques Johnson (35) Sidney Moncrief (10) Marques Johnson (7) MECCA Arena
11,052		 2–2
5 April 15 @ Philadelphia L 99–116 Mickey Johnson, Moncrief (20) Mickey Johnson (13) Marques Johnson (7) Spectrum
15,384		 2–3
6 April 17 Philadelphia W 109–86 Mickey Johnson (22) Mickey Johnson (12) Lanier, Buckner (6) MECCA Arena
11,052		 3–3
7 April 19 @ Philadelphia L 98–99 Marques Johnson (36) Bob Lanier (10) four players tied (4) Spectrum
6,704		 3–4
1981 schedule
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Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

More information Player, GP ...
Season[2]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Marques Johnson 7633.455.20.070.66.84.61.50.520.3
Junior Bridgeman 7728.848.714.388.43.83.01.10.416.8
Bob Lanier 6726.252.5100.075.16.22.71.11.214.3
Sidney Moncrief 8030.254.122.280.45.13.31.10.514.0
Quinn Buckner 8229.149.316.773.43.64.72.40.013.3
Mickey Johnson 8225.844.816.778.96.63.51.10.912.5
Brian Winters 6925.747.535.386.92.03.31.00.111.6
Pat Cummings 7414.653.90.070.73.90.80.40.38.0
Mike Evans 7112.846.014.378.11.22.40.50.14.5
Harvey Catchings 7721.244.70.064.16.11.30.42.44.2
Len Elmore 7212.835.80.072.02.91.00.50.72.9
Kim Hughes 457.435.60.00.01.70.50.40.50.7
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Playoffs

More information Player, GP ...
Playoffs[2]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Marques Johnson 7738.055.60.071.99.44.91.41.024.7
Bob Lanier 7733.758.80.071.97.44.01.71.117.6
Sidney Moncrief 7739.643.50.074.56.72.91.70.414.0
Junior Bridgeman 7026.146.2100.081.32.13.30.90.014.0
Mickey Johnson 7724.340.00.085.76.71.91.30.911.7
Brian Winters 7025.945.933.375.03.33.11.40.110.0
Quinn Buckner 7726.143.30.068.82.95.01.60.09.0
Mike Evans 409.552.90.087.50.31.50.00.36.3
Pat Cummings 505.027.30.075.01.20.00.20.01.8
Harvey Catchings 7015.618.80.0100.03.71.10.01.61.1
Len Elmore 403.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
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Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Week/Month

All-Star

Season

Records

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

September 11, 1980 To Milwaukee Bucks---- To Indiana Pacers----

Free agents

PlayerSignedFormer team
Kim Hughes October 31, 1980 Denver Nuggets
More information Subtractions, Player ...
Subtractions
Player Date signed New team
Dave Meyers April 30, 1980 Retired
Richard Washington Expansion Draft May 28, 1980 Dallas Mavericks
Lloyd Walton October 6, 1980 Kansas City Kings
Scott Lloyd October 20, 1980 Dallas Mavericks
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References

See also

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