Head coach Larry Costello Record 56–26 (.683) | Arena Milwaukee Arena | |
Place Division: 2nd (Eastern) Playoff finish East Finals
(Eliminated 1–4) | ||
The 1969–70 Milwaukee Bucks season was the second season for the Milwaukee Bucks. Led by the heralded rookie center Lew Alcindor, they finished with a 56–26 record, enough for second place in the Eastern Division. After beating the Philadelphia 76ers 4–1 in the Eastern semifinals, they lost to the eventual champions New York Knicks in five games.
Contents
Draft picks
After a 26–56 record in their inaugural NBA season, the Bucks won a coin toss over the Phoenix Suns to give them the right to select first overall in the 1969 NBA Draft. Their designated selection had long been a foregone conclusion: UCLA Bruins center Lew Alcindor. However, Alcindor was also selected first overall by the New York Nets in the competing American Basketball Association's entry draft, which triggered a bidding war for Alcindor's services. He eventually opted for the Bucks' five-year $1.4 million offer over a much more lucrative $3.2 million offer from the Nets, preferring the established NBA over a new and struggling ABA.
East Division Semifinals
(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (4) Philadelphia 76ers: Bucks win series 4–1
East Division Finals
(1) New York Knicks vs. (2) Milwaukee Bucks: Knicks win series 4–1