Bucks Zone

Throwback: Sidney Moncrief drops a career-high 43 points against the Denver Nuggets in 1983

Sidney Moncrief is one of the biggest legends in Bucks franchise history.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Journal Sentinel files
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Sidney Moncrief is one of the most celebrated players in Milwaukee Bucks' history, given his domination and the All-Star status during his career. He was drafted by the Bucks in 1979, and the guard played ten seasons in Milwaukee before retiring for a season. He returned to the NBA and played a season with the Atlanta Hawks before finally retiring from the league. The NBA commemorated Moncrief's career with a Hall of Fame induction in 2018.

Career night against the Denver Nuggets

The Bucks were visiting the Nuggets for their 12th game of the season after getting off to a strong 7-4 start. Both teams had some notable superstars, and the game was close. Moncrief was on fire, as he converted 13 of his 17 field goal attempts and made his way to the free-throw line with regularity.

Sidney scored efficiently, ultimately dropping 43 points on a 76.5% shooting night. However, the duo of Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe proved to be a problem for the Bucks' defenders. They combined for 62 points, registering an almost identical stat line. The Nuggets won 133-126 in a high-octane contest, despite Moncrief logging a career-high in scoring.

Moncrief's defensive prowess

Moncrief was a natural scorer who started averaging in the 20s range right from his third season in the league. However, there was one area that he improved considerably in – over time. Moncrief became a lockdown defender willing to put his body on the line for the team's betterment.

During the 1982-83 season, he turned his defense up a notch and was rewarded with a Defensive Player of the Year award. It was the first time the NBA handed out that award, and although he was far away from the steals and blocks leaders for that season, his defensive IQ is what set him apart. The following season he kept that intensity high and won the award again, becoming the first player to win the Defensive Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.