New look herd dominate G-League
With a 33-10 record, the Milwaukee Bucks affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd have a great look to win their first-ever NBA G-League title, making the playoffs for the first time since their founding in 2017. President of NBA G-League Operations of the Milwaukee Bucks, Steve Brandes, has seen the coaching staff and members of the team come together, especially this season, in an effort to have a title-winning season.
“We have the right people in the right place all the way from our Head Coach,” Brandes said. “Coaching & Basketball Operations staff through our entire business staff. Also, the support of our ownership and management team within the Milwaukee Bucks is a key component to our continued growth off and on the floor.”
Team chemistry has also been key to such a great record, and Brandes sees this as a stepping stone to the future of the Milwaukee Bucks as well the Herd.
“Our General Manager Dave Dean, Coach Buford, and our entire basketball operations staff have done a phenomenal job putting together a quality group of guys that exemplify teamwork which has translated to wins on the court,” he said.
Regular Herd game attendee, Brad Lasky thinks the success is due to the hard work from the front office, players, and coaching staff.
“I think the Herd has been successful this season due to the hard work of the front office of the team, the high energy head coach Chase Buford”
But the team has had exceptional support from the fans, and Brandes sees this as a great way to help the game environment.
“Herd fans are the true sixth man at our games,” he said. “Their enthusiastic support is the fuel that fires our team to victories. I think we have the best fans in the league.”
Lasky loves the games because it shows him a chance to watch competitive basketball without traveling far.
“The Wisconsin Herd provides family friendly entertainment with NBA level talent in a small venue close to home. The Herd brand is derived directly from the Milwaukee Bucks and provides fans with high quality entertainment.”
Oshkosh West Alumni and Wisconsin Herd fan, Eddy Locke loves attending games, for he is a huge basketball story.
“I enjoy going to Herd games because I’m a huge basketball fan and I love watching my home team play the game,” he said. “They are professionals and are really fun to watch and it is fun to cheer them on every game I go to.”
Locke sees this change due to the coaching switches this season.
“I think they have been successful because of getting a new coach and some new players to organize the program a little better,” he said.
Brandes has hopeful goals for the future of the Herd, as well as the Bucks organization.
“Our goals for this season and future seasons is to always exemplify both our parent club and our mission statement to be the best professional sports and entertainment team in the world,” Brandes said. “As a part of this, we break ourselves into different categories where we always look to improve and enhance year over year.”
Brandes not only hopes for the expansion of the Herd, but he also foresees growth in the Milwaukee Bucks, as they fight their way to an NBA championship.
“We want to always provide the highest level of experience for Milwaukee Bucks assignment and two-way players as an integral asset for the Bucks to leverage as they continue marching toward their goal of an NBA Championship,” he said.
Lasky hopes that the organization can make the Oshkosh community thrive.
“I hope the Wisconsin Herd continues to make Oshkosh their home long term and they continue to have high value and impact on the community while putting a competitive team on the floor year after year.
by Drew Lasky
Published March 23rd 2020
Oshkosh West Index Volume 116 Issue 6