1995–96 Milwaukee Bucks season explained

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Bucks' 28th season in the National Basketball Association.^[1] The Bucks had the eleventh overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected Gary Trent out of Ohio University,^[2] but soon traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for top draft pick Shawn Respert out of Michigan State University.^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} During the off-season, the team re-signed free agent and former Bucks forward Terry Cummings,^{[7] [8] [9] [10]} and acquired former All-Star center Kevin Duckworth from the Washington Bullets.^{[11] [12]} Early into the season, they traded Todd Day and Alton Lister to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Sherman Douglas,^{[13] [14] [15] [16]} and dealt Eric Murdock and second-year forward Eric Mobley to the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies in exchange for Benoit Benjamin.^{[17] [18] [19] [20]}

The Bucks, led by developing superstars Vin Baker and second-year forward Glenn Robinson, were considered a team with playoff potential. However, the team continued to underachieve holding an 18–27 record at the All-Star break.^[21] After holding a 21–35 record as of March 2, 1996, and with Duckworth only playing just eight games due to a knee injury sustained during the preseason,^{[22] [23]} the team suffered a dreadful 15-game losing streak in March.^[24] The Bucks missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season, finishing seventh in the Central Division with a disappointing 25–57 record.^[25]

Baker averaged 21.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, and was selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game,^{[26] [27] [28] [29]} while Robinson averaged 20.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and Douglas provided the team with 11.5 points and 5.8 assists per game. In addition, Johnny Newman contributed 10.8 points per game, while Cummings provided with 8.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game off the bench, and Benjamin averaged 7.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.^[30]

Following the season, head coach Mike Dunleavy was fired after coaching the Bucks for four seasons,^{[31] [32]} while Cummings signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics midway through the following season,^{[33] [34] [35]} Duckworth signed with the Los Angeles Clippers,^{[36] [37]} Lee Mayberry signed with the Vancouver Grizzlies,^{[38] [39]} Marty Conlon signed with the Boston Celtics,^[40] and Benjamin signed with the Toronto Raptors.^[41]

For the season, the Bucks added new dark green alternate road uniforms, which showed a buck in purple and silver colors on the front of their jerseys.^[42] These uniforms remained in use until 1999.

Draft picks

See main article: article and 1995 NBA draft.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	11		PF		Ohio
2	38		C		Wisconsin
2	43		PG		Michigan State

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1995-96 NBA Records
width=100	Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	TOR	UTA	VAN	WAS
Atlanta	–	4–0	3–1	0–4	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–0	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–0	2–1	2–2	2–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	0–2	0–2	4–0	1–1	2–0	1–3
Boston	0–4	–	2–2	0–3	1–3	0–2	1–1	2–1	0–2	1–1	0–4	2–0	0–2	3–1	3–1	2–0	2–2	0–4	1–3	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	3–1	0–2	1–1	2–2
Charlotte	1–3	2–2	–	1–3	3–1	2–0	2–0	1–3	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	0–3	3–0	0–4	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	3–1
Chicago	4–0	3–0	3–1	–	4–0	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	2–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	3–1	4–0	2–0	3–0	3–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	2–0	4–0
Cleveland	1–3	3–1	1–3	0–4	–	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0	1–2	3–1	1–2	4–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	3–1	0–2	2–0	3–1
Dallas	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	–	2–2	0–2	2–2	1–3	0–2	2–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–4	2–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	1–3	4–0	0–2
Denver	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	–	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	4–0	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–1	0–4	0–4	0–4	1–3	2–0	3–1	3–1	1–1
Detroit	2–2	1–2	3–1	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	–	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	4–0	0–4	1–3	4–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	0–2	2–0	1–2
Golden State	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	0–2	–	2–2	1–1	3–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–3	4–0	1–1
Houston	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–2	–	2–0	4–0	3–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–2	1–3	0–4	2–0	2–2	4–0	1–1
Indiana	3–1	4–0	3–1	2–2	2–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	0–2	–	2–0	1–1	3–0	3–1	1–1	1–3	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	0–2	2–0	3–0
L.A. Clippers	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	3–1	0–2	1–3	0–4	0–2	–	0–4	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–2	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–3	3–1	1–1
L.A. Lakers	2–0	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–0	2–2	2–0	3–1	1–3	1–1	4–0	–	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	3–1	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–2	4–0	1–1
Miami	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–3	3–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	0–3	1–1	0–2	–	3–0	1–1	5–0	1–3	1–3	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–1	0–2	1–1	2–2
Milwaukee	2–2	1–3	1–3	0–4	0–4	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	0–3	–	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–3	2–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–3
Minnesota	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	4–0	0–4	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	1–1	–	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	0–4	3–1	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–3	2–2	0–2
New Jersey	0–4	2–2	3–0	0–3	2–1	1–1	2–0	0–4	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	0–2	0–5	3–1	1–1	–	2–2	0–4	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	0–2	2–0	2–2
New York	1–2	4–0	0–3	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	2–2	–	1–3	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	4–0	1–1	1–1	3–1
Orlando	2–2	3–1	4–0	1–3	2–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	3–1	3–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	–	4–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–1	1–1	2–0	4–0
Philadelphia	1–2	0–4	1–3	0–4	0–4	2–0	0–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–4	–	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	1–1	1–3
Phoenix	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	1–3	0–2	3–1	1–3	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–0	–	2–2	2–2	1–3	0–4	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0
Portland	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	4–0	0–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	2–2	2–2	2–0	0–2	4–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	–	1–3	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–3	2–2	0–2
Sacramento	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–2	4–0	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	2–2	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	–	1–3	0–4	2–0	0–4	2–2	0–2
San Antonio	2–0	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–2	4–0	0–2	3–1	3–1	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–1	3–1	3–1	–	2–2	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1
Seattle	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	4–0	4–0	0–2	4–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	4–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	4–0	2–2	–	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1
Toronto	0–4	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–1	0–2	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–4	2–0	0–2	1–2	2–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	1–2	1–3	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	–	0–2	1–1	3–1
Utah	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	3–1	1–3	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	3–1	4–0	1–3	1–3	2–0	–	4–0	1–1
Vancouver	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–4	2–2	2–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	0–4	–	0–2
Washington	3–1	2–2	1–3	0–4	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–1	1–1	1–1	0–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	0–4	3–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	—

Game log

|-style="background:#bbffbb;"| 1 || November 3, 1995 || @ Boston| W 101–100|||| FleetCenter
16,321| 1–0|-style="background:#fcc;"| 2 || November 4, 1995 || New York| L 71–84|||| Bradley Center
18,633| 1–1|-style="background:#fcc;"| 3 || November 7, 1995 || @ Houston| L 89–106|Vin Baker (21)||| The Summit
15,095| 1–2|-style="background:#fcc;"| 4 || November 9, 1995 || @ Dallas| L 94–104|||| Reunion Arena
15,095| 1–3|-style="background:#bbffbb;"| 6 || November 14, 1995 || San Antonio| W 98–84|||| Bradley Center
13,464| 2–4|-style="background:#bbffbb;"| 9 || November 22, 1995 || Toronto| W 96–86|||| Bradley Center
14,959| 3–6|-style="background:#fcc;"| 14 || December 1, 1995 || @ Seattle| L 99–110|||| KeyArena
17,072| 4–10|-style="background:#fcc;"| 17 || December 9, 1995 || Chicago| L 106–118|||| Bradley Center
18,633| 6–11|-style="background:#bbffbb;"| 24 || December 23, 1995 || Atlanta| W 96–86|||| Bradley Center
15,658| 9–15|-style="background:#bbffbb;"| 42 || February 1, 1996 || Denver| W 108–102|||| Bradley Center
13,389| 16–26|-style="background:#fcc;"| 43 || February 3, 1996 || Cleveland| L 88–111|||| Bradley Center
17,979| 16–27|-style="background:#bbffbb;"| 44 || February 6, 1996 || Dallas| W 114–111|||| Bradley Center
13,854| 17–27|-style="background:#fcc;"| 79 || April 16, 1996 || Chicago| L 80–86|||| Bradley Center
18,633| 24–55

Player statistics

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
	82	82	40.5	48.9	20.8	67.0	9.9	2.6	0.8	1.1	21.1
Glenn Robinson	82	82	39.6	45.4	34.2	81.2	6.1	3.6	1.2	0.5	20.2
Sherman Douglas	69	62	30.4	51.4	37.9	75.4	2.3	5.8	0.9	0.1	11.5
Johnny Newman	82	82	32.8	49.5	37.7	80.2	2.4	1.9	1.1	0.2	10.8
	8	0	21.4	31.0	20.0	92.3	2.8	0.6	0.5	0.4	9.1
Terry Cummings	81	13	21.9	46.2	14.3	65.0	5.5	1.1	0.7	0.4	8.0
Benoit Benjamin	70	58	21.3	52.0	0.0	73.2	6.2	0.7	0.5	1.0	7.8
Eric Murdock	9	0	21.4	36.4	26.1	66.7	1.6	3.9	0.7	0.0	6.9
Marty Conlon	74	1	12.9	46.8	16.7	76.4	2.4	0.9	0.3	0.1	5.3
	82	20	20.8	42.0	39.7	60.3	1.1	3.7	0.8	0.1	5.1
Shawn Respert	62	0	13.6	38.7	34.4	83.3	1.2	1.1	0.5	0.1	4.9
Randolph Keys	69	1	11.8	41.8	31.0	83.7	1.8	0.9	0.5	0.2	3.4
Jerry Reynolds	19	0	10.1	39.6	10.0	61.9	1.7	0.6	0.8	0.3	2.9
Alton Lister	7	5	12.6	44.4	0.0	100.0	4.1	0.6	0.0	0.4	1.4
Mike Peplowski	5	0	2.4	60.0	0.0	33.3	0.8	0.2	0.2	0.4	1.4
Eric Mobley	5	3	13.0	28.6	0.0	50.0	2.4	0.0	0.2	0.2	1.2
Kevin Duckworth	8	1	7.3	21.4	0.0	50.0	0.9	0.3	0.3	0.0	1.1

^[43]

Transactions

Overview

Players Added Via draft Shawn Respert Via trade Benoit Benjamin Sherman Douglas Kevin Duckworth Via free agency Terry Cummings Randolph Keys Mike Peplowski

Players Lost Via trade Todd Day Alton Lister Eric Mobley Eric Murdock Via free agency Jon Barry Expansion Draft Ed Pinckney

Trades

June 28, 1995	To Milwaukee Bucks---- Shawn Respert	To Portland Trail Blazers---- Gary Trent
June 28, 1995	To Milwaukee Bucks---- Aurelijius Zukauskas	To Seattle SuperSonics---- Eric Snow
October 18, 1995	To Milwaukee Bucks---- Kevin Duckworth	To Washington Bullets---- Bob McCann
November 26, 1995	To Milwaukee Bucks---- Sherman Douglas	To Boston Celtics---- Todd Day Alton Lister
November 27, 1995	To Milwaukee Bucks---- Benoit Benjamin	To Vancouver Grizzlies---- Eric Mobley Eric Murdock

Free agents

Player	Signed	Former team
Randolph Keys	October 6, 1995	Quad City Thunder
Terry Cummings	November 2, 1995	San Antonio Spurs

Player Transactions Citation:^[44]

See also

• 1995-96 NBA season

Notes and References

1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1996.html 1995-96 Milwaukee Bucks
2. Web site: 1995 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . June 3, 2023.
3. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board . The New York Times . June 29, 1995 . June 3, 2023.
4. News: Heisler . Mark . NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way . Los Angeles Times . June 29, 1995 . June 3, 2023.
5. News: Associated Press . NBA DRAFT: Clippers Deal No. 2 McDyess to Nuggets: Pro Basketball: L.A. Gets Rodney Rogers and Rights to Oregon State's Brent Barry. O'Bannon Goes Ninth to New Jersey, and Zidek Is Selected No. 22 by Charlotte . Los Angeles Times . June 29, 1995 . June 3, 2023.
6. News: Nakamura . David . Joe Goes West as Warriors Make Smith No. 1 Pick . The Washington Post . June 29, 1995 . June 3, 2023.
7. News: Transactions . The New York Times . November 3, 1995 . November 10, 2022.
8. News: Smith . Sam . Webber's Mouth Works Out as He Faces Sitting Out . Chicago Tribune . November 5, 1995 . November 12, 2023.
9. News: Smith . Sam . Milwaukee Bucking Odds with Latest Moves . Chicago Tribune . November 30, 1995 . November 12, 2023.
10. News: Milwaukee Bucks: 25 Best Players to Play for the Bucks - Hoops Habit . Hoops Habit . August 11, 2016 . January 17, 2022.
11. News: Bembry . Jerry . Bullets Shed Duckworth with Trade to Bucks . The Baltimore Sun . October 20, 1995 . November 18, 2022.
12. News: The Milwaukee Bucks Decided to Keep Center Kevin Duckworth . Associated Press . October 27, 1995 . June 7, 2022.
13. News: Douglas Traded for Day, Lister . United Press International . November 26, 1995 . September 24, 2022.
14. News: Associated Press . Celtics Trade Douglas to Bucks . Los Angeles Times . November 27, 1995 . December 3, 2022.
15. News: Faltering Bucks Get Douglas from Celtics . Chicago Tribune . November 27, 1995 . July 29, 2021.
16. News: Associated Press . Celtics Trade Douglas for Lister, Day . Deseret News . November 27, 1995 . July 5, 2023.
17. News: Grizzlies Trade Benjamin to Bucks . United Press International . November 27, 1995 . September 24, 2022.
18. News: Associated Press . Grizzlies Trade Benjamin Away to Bucks . Los Angeles Times . November 28, 1995 . July 29, 2021.
19. News: Fair Trade? Grizz Only Get 2 Bucks for Benjamin . Deseret News . November 28, 1995 . July 5, 2023.
20. News: Bucks Deal for Benjamin . Tampa Bay Times . November 28, 1995 . December 13, 2022.
21. News: NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996 . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2023.
22. News: Justice . Richard . Bullets' Price Seeks Opinions . The Washington Post . October 26, 1995 . January 4, 2023.
23. News: The Milwaukee Bucks Decided to Keep Center Kevin Duckworth . Associated Press . October 27, 1995 . June 7, 2022.
24. News: Smith . Sam . Rising Heat Good for Bulls . Chicago Tribune . April 1, 1996 . October 4, 2022.
25. Web site: 1995–96 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule Results. Basketball-Reference. July 1, 2021.
26. News: Bembry . Jerry . NBA Coaches Recognize Howard's Star Quality; Bullets' 2nd-Year Player Named Eastern Reserve . The Baltimore Sun . January 31, 1996 . April 19, 2023.
27. News: Heisler . Mark . NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes . Los Angeles Times . February 11, 1996 . January 2, 2023.
28. News: NBA.com Staff . 1996 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . May 16, 2023.
29. Web site: 1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118 . Basketball-Reference . November 27, 2021.
30. Web site: 1995–96 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. July 1, 2021.
31. News: Associated Press . Dunleavy Gets Fired as Coach, But Kept as G.M. . Los Angeles Times . April 28, 1996 . November 18, 2022.
32. News: Bucks Remove Dunleavy as Head Coach . United Press International . April 27, 1996 . November 18, 2022.
33. News: Associated Press . Seattle May Sign Cummings . Los Angeles Times . January 12, 1997 . March 5, 2023.
34. News: Associated Press . Sonics Dump Pacers; Cummings May Sign Monday with Seattle . The Spokesman-Review . January 12, 1997 . March 5, 2023.
35. News: Sonics Sign Terry Cummings . Associated Press . January 13, 1997 . March 5, 2023.
36. News: Baker . Chris . They Cut to the Fat--Sign Duckworth . Los Angeles Times . October 11, 1996 . July 18, 2022.
37. News: Baker . Chris . Long Season? Try an Eternity . Los Angeles Times . November 1, 1996 . December 27, 2022.
38. News: Associated Press . Grizzlies Jettison Scott to Make Room to Sign Free Agent Mayberry . Los Angeles Times . July 23, 1996 . June 30, 2022.
39. News: Grizzlies Sign Mayberry . The Oklahoman . July 24, 1996 . November 18, 2022.
40. News: Celtics Sign Forward Marty Conlon . Associated Press . October 21, 1999 . June 30, 2022.
41. News: Associated Press . Raptors Sign Benjamin for Backup Role . Los Angeles Times . October 12, 1996 . March 5, 2023.
42. News: Milwaukee Bucks Uniform . Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net  . July 8, 2021.
43. Web site: 1995–96 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. July 1, 2021.
44. Web site: 1995–96 Milwaukee Bucks Transactions. Basketball-Reference. July 3, 2021.