The Milwaukee Bucks' historic game that changed global basketball forever
The NBA All-Star game is set to feature a highly anticipated showdown between American and international players. The event, themed as US vs. World, will see a team of international players and two teams of U.S. players compete in a round-robin tournament. Among the international players, the star of the show will be Giannis Antetokounmpo, a beloved player for the Milwaukee Bucks and a native of Greece.
As the spotlight shines on the league's international talent, the Bucks organization is releasing a new documentary podcast series, titled 'Bucks vs. the World', which delves into a pivotal 1987 tournament in Milwaukee. This tournament, which featured the Bucks, the former Soviet Union national team, and the Tracer Milan club team, is widely regarded as a turning point in international basketball.
The podcast, narrated by Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens, highlights the Bucks' overwhelming victory over the Soviets, with a final score of 127-100. According to the podcast, this game not only changed the trajectory of international basketball but also paved the way for the NBA's global expansion.
Monis Kahn, the producer and writer of 'Bucks vs. the World', sheds light on the pre-1987 international basketball landscape. He explains that international players faced a dilemma: they had to choose between playing for their national teams or joining the NBA, as the NBA's talent pool was dominated by American players.
The introduction of the McDonald's Open in 1987, a tournament that featured the Bucks, the Soviets, and Tracer Milan, was a significant step forward. It challenged the notion of amateurism and the separation between NBA talent and international talent. The FIBA Secretary General, Boris Stanković, played a pivotal role in this transformation.
Stanković's insistence on lowering barriers and allowing NBA players to participate in the Olympics was a game-changer. This decision not only brought international players into the NBA but also fostered a mutual respect and admiration between the NBA and international basketball communities.
Kate Archer Kent, in an interview with WPR's 'Wisconsin Today', delves into the impact of the 1987 game. She asks Monis Kahn about the state of international basketball before the 1987 tournament. Kahn explains that there was a rigid notion of amateurism, with NBA players considered professionals and international players, even those earning substantial salaries in European leagues, deemed amateurs.
Stanković's vision, as described by Kahn, was to break down these barriers and allow the best players from around the world to compete against each other. This included players from Yugoslavia, Russia, Italy, and Spain, who would never reach their full potential without playing against the top NBA talent.
The choice of Milwaukee as the host city for the tournament was strategic. The Bucks had a strong record, having won 50 games in seven straight seasons, and the NBA wanted to showcase a competitive team. Milwaukee's passionate fan base and the NBA's desire for a packed house sent a powerful message to FIBA representatives and fans, demonstrating the demand for international basketball.
The Cold War context added an intriguing layer to the tournament. The U.S. and the former Soviet Union were locked in a power struggle across various sports. The Soviet Union, in 1987, was considered one of the best national teams in the world, having proven their prowess at the 1988 Olympics.
However, the Bucks faced a significant challenge: their star player, Sydney Moncrief, suffered a knee injury just before the tournament, ruling him out for the season. This injury added an element of uncertainty, as no one knew how the teams would perform without their best players.
The 1987 game had far-reaching consequences, as it paved the way for NBA players to compete in the summer Olympics, a privilege they had not enjoyed before. This change was largely due to the relationships formed between David Stern, the NBA commissioner, and the FIBA officials, who initially held skepticism towards the NBA. The mutual respect and admiration displayed in Milwaukee played a crucial role in aligning their visions for the future of basketball.
The success of the 1987 tournament led to a 1989 vote that affirmed Boris Stanković's vision. This vote allowed NBA talent to participate in the Olympics, eliminating the dilemma faced by international players. Even today's top players, like Giannis Antetokounmpo, face a similar challenge when choosing between the NBA and their national teams.
Monis Kahn emphasizes the profound impact of the 1987 game on the NBA and global basketball. He argues that without this game, Giannis Antetokounmpo might not have become a star player for the Bucks. Kahn credits Boris Stanković's refusal to accept the status quo and his belief in bringing the best players together as the catalyst for this transformation.
The McDonald's Open, as a prototype, demonstrated the potential of international basketball. This success story is further exemplified by the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers' struggles against European teams a few years later. The talent gap, once significant, closed rapidly, thanks to Stanković's vision and the consensus it built.
