Thinking about Deonte's twitter post that said something along the lines of "When you think of Milwaukee you're going to think of me"... There really isn't a Milwaukee basketball person that the city identifies with, MU guys come and go, Bucks players come and go, but when you think of Milwaukee basketball legends in the past 25 years who do you think of? I guess limit this to people who call the city of Milwaukee home.
Spree had that potential at one point, but probably isn't the best role model out there, he also didn't really play any of his best basketball in Milwaukee. Anyone else?
DBuycks probably will average 40 pts in every league he plays in, but I don't think the NBA will ever be one those leagues.
A little to early too call the Landry brothers legends of Milwaukee.
Obviously a long way and a lot of hard work away, but the pedestal of best Milwaukee basketball player ever is open for the taking.
I think of Trevor Powell.
Devin Harris
The most successful basketball players born and raised in Milwaukee:
Downtown Freddie Brown
Terry Porter
Latrell Spreewell
All were all stars with careers that spanned at least a decade. None were HoF worthy however. I would say Devin Harris falls in the next rung below these guys.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on September 01, 2011, 10:47:15 AM
The most successful basketball players born and raised in Milwaukee:
Downtown Freddie Brown
Terry Porter
Latrell Spreewell
I would add Don Kojis to this list. Interesting factoid: He was drafted into the NBA by the Chicago Packers.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kojisdo01.html
Kojis and Brown are old school. I wouldn't think anyone under the age of 40 would identify with them.
I would think most people in the city would not want to be represented by Spree as the basketball ambassador of Milwaukee.
Not sure about his childhood, but Harris seems more of Tosa product.
Terry Porter would be a good representative, but I haven't heard of him back in the city ever except for what I assume is sponsoring the TP Elite team.
If having your name being synonymous with Milwaukee basketball is one of your goals in life, there are a lot of harder cities to try and achieve that in.
It was only 2 years, but I'd say Wade. He's pretty well identified with Marquette and there's no one in Milwaukee basketball over the past quarter-century to have his kind of impact on the game. Before him, the last guy who you really identified with here was probably Al McGuire. The problem with Bucks players is that most of them went elsewhere. Allen won titles with Boston, Robinson never lived up to the hype, Jennings has a chance but has to stay here.
For HS players, I'd agree with Harris, but can't really think of anyone else to be that big in the past 25 years. Even for Porter it's been 30 years since he played in Milwaukee (other than in a visitor's uniform). Burton would have a chance, but he has to return to Marquette, and probably be at least a 3-year player. UW-M won't give him that level of recognition, and if he goes anywhere else, he'll barely be considered a Milwaukee kid (assuming he spends 3/4 HS years at Brewster).
The fact that sprewell is even part of the conversation underscores the fact that Milwaukee is firmly basketball backwater.
Sprewell was an ass. However, he was a really good basketball player. In the early to mid 90s, he was one of the best players in the NBA - first team all-NBA in 93-94, second team all defense. Averaged 20+ points a game for four out of five years.
Didnt Caron Butler play a year or two at St. Catherines before going to prep school on the east coast? Nick Van X was a stud.
Quote from: muhs03 on September 01, 2011, 01:52:11 PMDidnt Caron Butler play a year or two at St. Catherines before going to prep school on the east coast? Nick Van X was a stud.
But if we're talking Milwaukee, neither of them are in the argument. I'd even say Devin Harris is borderline-not-eligible. Butler was from Racine, and Van Exel was from Kenosha. Even Tokoto isn't a Milwaukee guy (if he has massive success).
Like it or not, the best player to come out of Milwaukee in the past 25 years was Latrell Sprewell.
Another is Kurt Nimphius...retired in 1990 after 12 years in the League so hits the past 25 year yardstick...not Spree level, but solid. Born in Milwaukee...South Milwaukee for high school though. With Downtown (but past the 25 year rule), was John Johnson. JJ was around a long time and was World Champion with Freddy in Seattle.
What is even more apparent as we discuss this, the Milwaukee 'burbs have have better talent than the city proper. Throw in Novak, Smith, those others mentioned, and stretching to the Racine boys (remembering Chones from way back too), etc.