Classy Move: The Bucks honor Herb Kohl by giving him a championship ring last night.

If you weren’t able to watch the entire ring/banner ceremony last night, it’s definitely worth the 20 minutes of your time. I think the entire thing is on the Bucks’ Youtube page. But I loved this moment from last night. I’ve said this many times about Herb Kohl, but it’s worth nothing again here: He was a great owner, but a horrible GM. Without Herb Kohl the Bucks would have left Milwaukee 10 years ago. He made sure the team stayed by purchasing them in 1985, and he made sure that the new owners were committed to keeping the team here when he sold the team in 2014. But he had SEVERAL offers during that time frame where he could have sold the team to investor groups who weren’t interested in staying in Milwaukee. So without him, nights like last night don’t happen. The problem with the Herb Kohl Era was that he was a bit of a meddler, in that he wanted input in deciding on trades, free agents to sign, players to let go, etc. He’s a part of the reason we were signing guys like Bobby Simmons and Dan Gaduric to massive deals. He allowed the Ray Allen trade to happen. Again, his intentions I believe were always good, but he would have been better off being a hands-off owner.

And I also loved that he was still rocking that raggedy old 1994 Bucks hat that he wore to every game he went to. That thing has seen some stuff. And some things. But it was perfectly on-brand for him to still have that on while rocking his championship ring last night.

And how about that ring! I have to admit: By today’s championship ring standards, it was a tad understated. And I mean that in a good way. Pretty nifty little trick to be able to take the top off and turn it into a necklace. Then there’s a QR code on the inside that will play highlights of the title run on your phone.

I know I said this yesterday, but I still can’t believe it. Seeing the ring. Seeing the banner, it still feels like a dream.

And how about the game itself! Loved the energy and effort last night. Ring/Banner night is traditionally a letdown in terms of the actual game itself. And it’s understandable. It’s an emotional moment, the reigning champs don’t have a thing to prove in game #1 of 82, but they played like they did. Grayson Allen (PUKE) fits in perfectly (DOUBLE PUKE). Jordan Nwora looks like he’s going to be a MAJOR factor off of the bench. Giannis was Giannis, Khris was Khris, Jrue had to leave with a heel contusion but it sounds like everything with him is fine. You didn’t have Donte, Bobby, Rodney Hood, or Semi Ojeleye and they were STILL able to beat the Nets going away. Good signs!

PS: I think I mentioned this on a previous Bucks blog, but I think they actually played this portion of the ‘All Access: Game 6’ video at the arena last night. Brings a tear to my eye every single time:

Double PS: I’m sure I’m not the only one, but I really needed to reign myself in watching last night’s game. It feels like that playoff run was last week. So last night’s game still felt like a do-or-die playoff game. I was on the edge of my seat sweating out every possession. Relax, Jon. It’s 1 of 82. It’s October.