Behind The Bucks

Episode 4 - Bucks vs. the World - The Crystal Cup

When the final game tipped off at the MECCA, the entire basketball world was watching. Narrated by Charlie Berens, Episode 4 of Bucks vs. the World chronicles the championship matchup of the 1987 McDonald’s Open, as the Milwaukee Bucks face the Soviet Union national team in the first NBA game ever broadcast in the USSR and China. With fans from 36 countries tuned in, the Bucks carried not just the league, but the country on their shoulders in a game that felt like far more than an exhibition. The episode follows the tournament’s aftermath, tracing how the Soviet team’s experience in Milwaukee helped fuel their run to Olympic gold in 1988, and how Boris Stanković’s persistence led to the historic 1989 FIBA vote allowing NBA players into international competition. In doing so, the McDonald’s Open became a crucial step toward the Dream Team and the arrival of international stars in the NBA. At its heart, Episode 4 is also the story of Senator Herb Kohl — whose commitment to keeping the Bucks in Milwaukee ensured the city remained part of basketball’s global evolution — connecting the Crystal Cup to the championship banner hanging in Fiserv Forum today.

Episode 3 - Bucks vs. the World - Glasnost in Milwaukee

When the Soviet Union finally took the floor in Milwaukee, the stakes went far beyond basketball. Narrated by Charlie Berens, Episode 3 of Bucks vs. the World focuses on the second game of the 1987 McDonald’s Open, as the Soviet Union national team faces EuroLeague champion Tracer Milan and quickly establishes itself as the tournament’s most formidable force. The result shocks fans and media who had just seen Tracer push the Bucks to the brink, dramatically shifting expectations for what lies ahead. The episode explores the Cold War context surrounding the Soviet team’s arrival, including the lingering pain of the controversial 1972 Olympic gold medal game and the political realities shaping the lives of the USSR’s players and their legendary head coach, Alexander Gomelsky. As the spirit of glasnost begins to emerge, Episode 3 captures a rare moment when sport, politics, and history collided — and when the Bucks realized they were about to represent far more than Milwaukee on the court.

Episode 2 - Bucks vs. the World - The World Basketball Revolution

The opening game of the 1987 McDonald’s Open revealed something no one was prepared for. Narrated by Charlie Berens, Episode 2 of Bucks vs. the World explores how the Milwaukee Bucks’ matchup with EuroLeague champion Tracer Milan sent shockwaves through international basketball, forcing the NBA, the media, and fans across Europe to reconsider what was possible. As Tracer pushes the Bucks to the brink, the episode shows how perceptions of European talent began to change in real time. The story then moves behind the Iron Curtain, introducing the Soviet Union national team as they arrive in Milwaukee. Through firsthand accounts from players, coaches, and journalists, the episode examines the challenging political realities that shaped the lives of the USSR’s stars and their legendary head coach — and how anticipation for the tournament’s final game grew into something much bigger than basketball.

Episode 1 - Bucks vs. the World - For the Good of the Game

In 1987, the Milwaukee Bucks hosted the 1987 McDonald’s Open, a groundbreaking tournament that brought together the Bucks, the Soviet Union national team, and EuroLeague champion Tracer Milan — marking the first collaboration between the NBA and FIBA. Narrated by Charlie Berens, Episode 1 of Bucks vs. the World explores how the tournament came together, why Milwaukee was chosen, and how Cold War politics shaped one of the most consequential moments in basketball history. The episode builds to the Bucks’ dramatic opening matchup with Tracer Milan, setting the stage for a battle that would change the game forever.

Episode 1 - Locked In - From the Jump

Season 5 of Behind the Bucks, presented by Gallagher, returns with Locked In, a four-part series narrated by Marques Johnson that takes you inside the Milwaukee Bucks’ pursuit of a championship. In episode 1, players open up about the grind it takes to reach — and stay — in the NBA. Hear from the Bucks' stars on how early discipline, family influence, and an unshakable work ethic shaped their paths to the pros. This is the story of where championship dreams begin — and how the Bucks are building theirs from the ground up. Subscribe to the Behind the Bucks podcast, presented by Gallagher, to enjoy untold stories, essential insights, and exclusive access to your favorite team.