Bucks legend Bobby Dandridge sees bright future for team, credits vision of owners

The Milwaukee Bucks are on the right track on many fronts, says legendary forward Bobby Dandridge.

"I think that new arena is going to have a huge economic impact on the city," said Dandridge, part of the team that included Oscar Robertson and Lew Alcindor, later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, that brought Milwaukee an NBA championship in 1971.

Dandridge said he was optimistic that the Bucks' $524 million arena would generate jobs and development downtown. The arena is being built with $250 in million in public money.

"It's almost like a new city has sprung up around that arena," he said. "I think that arena is going to set the standard for new arenas."

Dandridge, who lives in Norfolk, Va., was in town this week for the Bucks' charity golf outing and other appearances, including a visit Friday morning to the team's offices in Schlitz Park. There, he posed for and autographed pictures at an event announcing a new partnership between the Bucks and BMO Harris Bank.

He said he'll be back next month when the Bucks take the court at his old stomping grounds, the MECCA arena, now the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. On Oct. 26, the Bucks will face the Boston Celtics, a one-off game in their old building to celebrate the team's 50th anniversary in Milwaukee.

"That's going to be great," Dandridge said.

Dandridge played nine seasons for the Bucks. His No. 10 jersey was retired in 2015 in an emotion-filled celebration, an honor many felt was overdue.

He's optimistic about the prospects for the team, providing the players remain healthy.

"I think they have a tremendous amount of potential," Dandridge said. "I think they've got a good core of players."

Dandridge credited the team's owners for making the right moves with both the arena project and on the court.

"I think their long-term vision is the key," he said. 

RELATED:Dandridge's No. 10 retired

RELATED:BMO Harris Bank to sponsor exclusive club at the new Milwaukee Bucks arena