Brown gets love from Bucks after last TV call

11 Feb 2025 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ben Steele

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel USA TODAY NETWORK – WISCONSIN

Well after the Milwaukee Bucks had dispatched the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, 91-year-old Hubie Brown was still in fine form on the sideline of Fiserv Forum.

He had just taken off his headset for his last game as a TV broadcaster, and the throng was deep with fans and TV crew members who wanted a photo or to wish Brown well on his retirement. He accommodated everyone until it was time to walk off the court in an official capacity for the first time.

Brown spent over five decades in the NBA, either coaching or breaking down the actions behind a microphone.

He wanted to end that illustrious career in the place in which he started in the league. Brown was an assistant under head coach Larry Costello with the Bucks from 1972-74.

“When I came here to the Milwaukee Bucks and Larry Costello, I received a master’s degree and a doctorate’s degree in basketball in two years,” Brown said during the broadcast.

Bucks players and coaches made sure to pay their respects to Brown before, during and after the game.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is another NBA lifer, and he still looks to Brown for advice.

“He’s been so important to this league in so many ways,” Rivers said. “He’s one of my calls. It’s funny, I was telling him the last time ‘Geez, coach, I’m starting to get calls from coaches.’ He’s, like, ‘Well, you used to call me.’

“He was one of my first calls all the time. Still is ... when things are rough or trying to figure out something that to me is complicated. I always tell people, I’ve had these people in my life that I’ve been very lucky.”

In the locker room before the game, Rivers wanted to make sure Bucks players understood Brown’s significance. He asked the youngest players on the team, who didn’t know much.

Then he turned to elder statesman Brook Lopez, and the 36-year-old offered a long history lesson.

“My whole life, I’ve seen him around the sport,” Lopez said. “Coaching and commentating.

“I remember getting his coaches cards as a really little kid. Obviously seeing him coach games, and just growing up always commentating on big games. Always hearing him on TV, seeing him on TV.

“And I was always so impressed with his knowledge. That was one of my real cool first welcome-to-the-league experiences was having him call one of my games. And to see him in person and get to meet him. Hear he was a fan of me and my game, appreciated my game.

“He’s always had good tips for me. He’s still coaching. Even though he’s commentating. It’s in his DNA, in his blood. Trying to help players get better.”

Lopez even cut his pregame routine short so he could speak with Brown. He is impressed how sharp Brown is as a nonagenarian.

“It’s incredible,” Lopez said. “His observations are still completely on point. He just knows the game so incredibly well.”

Portis also shows gratitude

The broadcast also showed some interactions between the Bucks’ Bobby Portis and Brown.

Portis remembered being a rookie on the Chicago Bulls, and how Brown’s words during the broadcast helped when Portis was fighting for minutes.

“He was saying ‘This young guy Portis, I really like him,’” Portis said. “‘He plays with his heart on his sleeve. He goes hard. His energy is contagious. If I could talk to him now, I’d say take four minutes and turn them into eight; take eight minutes, turn them into 12; take 12 minutes and turn into 16.’

“I was thinking about that my whole time during my rookie year. And he just stayed in my head. Now, looking back, I’m fittin’ to be 30 years old and now I’m telling all my young guys the same thing.”

Portis and Brown talked before the game about Portis getting a doubledouble. Portis obliged with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Lillard praises Brown’s passion

Bucks guard Damian Lillard appreciated the full-circle aspect of Brown getting a send-off in Milwaukee.

“To be 91 now and here for his last game is a special commitment to the game,” Lillard said. “From that time to today, I’m sure he’s seen so much growth and so much change.

“Not only in the game of basketball, but the league. It’s come so far in a lot of ways. And I think that obviously you’re going to have the commissioners, you’re going to have players come along.

“I think it’s the people who love the game and love the league, contributions that come from people like Hubie Brown, it’s what that allowed it to become what it is. It’s what makes it special. That type of lifelong investment and care into this league, it’s special.”