Giannis got the torch now, but Kareem lit the first fire in Milwaukee.

For Giannis Antetokounmpo, the path to NBA greatness has been a journey of resilience, ambition, and evolution. But even as the modern-day Milwaukee Bucks’ cornerstone, Giannis knows the torch he now carries was lit long before his arrival. The first flame that truly ignited the Bucks’ legendary history was held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—or, as he was known in Milwaukee during his early years, Lew Alcindor.

In many ways, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s impact on the Bucks transcends just his individual brilliance on the basketball court. Sure, his skyhook remains one of the most iconic moves in the history of the sport, and his dominance in the 1970s was unparalleled. But his time with the Bucks set the foundation for what the franchise has grown into today. From his arrival in 1969 to his departure in 1975, Kareem not only put the Bucks on the map but helped cultivate a culture of winning, discipline, and excellence that continues to reverberate through the team to this very day.

While Giannis has taken the mantle in 2025, leading Milwaukee with his unique blend of athleticism, versatility, and heart, it’s impossible to overlook how Kareem’s legacy paved the way for future greatness in the city. From being a 6-time NBA champion and a 6-time MVP to being the blueprint of how a superstar could elevate an entire franchise, Kareem’s tenure in Milwaukee helped establish the template for what would eventually become one of the most successful eras in Bucks history. Giannis may have the mantle now, but Kareem lit the fire that began the Bucks’ journey to greatness.

When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—then known as Lew Alcindor—was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969, the team was a fledgling franchise in just its second season in the NBA. But Kareem’s arrival immediately altered the trajectory of the team. Standing at 7’2″ and equipped with one of the most unstoppable moves in basketball history—the skyhook—he was a once-in-a-generation talent. His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ made him an immediate force on the court.

In his very first season, Kareem won NBA Rookie of the Year honors and quickly became one of the league’s most feared players. By the 1971 season, just two years into his career, he had already propelled the Bucks to their first NBA championship. Alongside teammate Oscar Robertson, who was a future Hall of Famer in his own right, Kareem’s dominance in the paint and on the boards allowed the Bucks to claim a title that would change the course of the franchise’s history.

The Bucks’ 1971 championship was no fluke; it was a result of the combination of Kareem’s otherworldly ability and Oscar Robertson’s veteran leadership. However, the true credit for the team’s rise to prominence during that time largely goes to Kareem, who was the engine that drove the team to success. His unstoppable scoring ability, elite rebounding, and defensive prowess were unlike anything the NBA had seen at the time. He became the face of the Bucks, and for good reason.

That 1971 title remains a significant milestone in Bucks history—it was their first and only championship prior to Giannis leading them to their second in 2021. But even after the championship, Kareem continued to prove that his impact on the Bucks went beyond just the 1971 season. He would go on to dominate the league for several more seasons, winning MVP awards and continuing to lead the Bucks to the top of the NBA rankings year after year.

But the influence of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Milwaukee wasn’t just about what he did on the court; it was also about the cultural impact he had on the city and the franchise.

At the time, Milwaukee was a relatively small market, and the idea of attracting and retaining superstars was a much more difficult proposition than it is today. But Kareem’s presence in the city brought attention not just to the Bucks but to Milwaukee as a whole. He was a young, charismatic athlete who quickly became one of the faces of the NBA. His social awareness and activism off the court also set him apart from other athletes of his era. Whether it was speaking out about racial issues or advocating for his beliefs, Kareem used his platform in ways that few athletes at the time dared to do.

Milwaukee embraced him. Despite being a city with limited basketball history before his arrival, Kareem’s success helped spark an undying loyalty from the Bucks’ fanbase. His leadership helped build a culture in which winning and playing the game with honor and integrity were central tenets. The influence he had in laying the groundwork for what would later be the Giannis-led Bucks dynasty can’t be overstated.

Kareem’s stature in Milwaukee was further elevated after the Bucks’ success during the early 1970s. His status as a larger-than-life figure was cemented not just because of his skills on the basketball court but because of his willingness to engage with the community and make a difference off the court.

But despite his successes in Milwaukee, Kareem’s time with the Bucks would eventually come to an end. In 1975, after just six seasons with the team, he requested a trade. The reasons for his departure were multi-faceted, ranging from personal issues to the desire to be in a larger market (such as Los Angeles) where he felt he could more fully pursue his passions outside of basketball. The departure left a void in Milwaukee, as they lost not only their superstar but also the cultural pillar that he had become. Yet even as Kareem left, his legacy remained.

Fast forward to 2013, and the Bucks were in a completely different place. After a series of disappointing seasons and a revolving door of talent, Milwaukee found themselves with a new star—Giannis Antetokounmpo, a lanky 18-year-old from Greece who was still a project but had limitless potential. Over the course of the next decade, Giannis would reshape the identity of the franchise, just as Kareem had done decades earlier.

Giannis’ journey to superstardom was not instantaneous, as was the case with Kareem. The young Greek Freak had to grow into his game, refine his skills, and develop an all-around style of play that would make him one of the most unique players the NBA had ever seen. Much like Kareem, Giannis’ early years with the Bucks were marked by flashes of brilliance, but it took time for him to truly reach his full potential.

Unlike Kareem, Giannis didn’t have the benefit of joining a championship-caliber team in his rookie season. The Bucks of the early 2010s were in a rebuilding phase, and Giannis had to carry the burden of becoming the face of the franchise from the very start. His work ethic, relentless drive, and willingness to improve from one season to the next eventually made him a superstar.

The turning point for Giannis came in 2019, when he won his first NBA MVP award and transformed the Bucks into one of the league’s most dominant teams. That was the year Giannis became the undisputed face of the league, and the expectation shifted from him simply being a rising star to a player capable of leading his team to a championship. By 2021, he had done just that—delivering an unforgettable performance in the NBA Finals to give the Bucks their second championship, nearly 50 years after Kareem had led them to their first.

But while Giannis’ rise to prominence has been the catalyst for the Bucks’ new era of success, there is no denying that his journey has been shaped by the very foundation that Kareem built in Milwaukee.

As Giannis leads the Bucks into the 2025-26 season and beyond, it’s clear that the two players—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Giannis Antetokounmpo—share more than just a team. They share a commitment to greatness. They share a passion for elevating the Bucks, pushing their limits, and ensuring that the franchise remains one of the NBA’s elite teams.

While Giannis is undoubtedly the face of the modern Bucks dynasty, he constantly pays homage to those who came before him. Kareem’s contributions to the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee will never be forgotten, and Giannis frequently acknowledges the foundation Kareem laid for him and other players to follow. Kareem, in turn, has always expressed his admiration for Giannis and his accomplishments, often speaking highly of his impact on the game and his ability to carry on the legacy of greatness in Milwaukee.

For Giannis, it’s clear that he’s not just playing for himself; he’s playing for those who came before him. He’s playing to ensure that the next generation of players and fans in Milwaukee will have their own heroes to look up to—just as he did with Kareem.

As the Milwaukee Bucks prepare for another championship push, Giannis Antetokounmpo undoubtedly carries the torch of excellence that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ignited all those years ago. Kareem set the standard for greatness in Milwaukee, but it’s Giannis who has elevated the franchise into a new era—one where championships are not just a dream, but a tangible reality.

Giannis has embraced the legacy left by Kareem and has added his own chapter to the story of the Milwaukee Bucks. The first fire that Kareem lit has burned bright through the decades, and now, Giannis is the one fanning those flames, taking the Bucks to new heights and ensuring that the team’s history remains alive, powerful, and inspiring for years to come.