Having checked in with the Western Conference, it’s time for the Bucks to look in their own backyard. Comebacks, upsets, and tougher-than-expected series defined the first round. But what does this all mean for Milwaukee? Let’s dive in.
Milwaukee, WI
Harley-Davidson Unveils Davidson Park, a New Community Park at Iconic Milwaukee Headquarters
Press Release | June 24, 2024
Harley-Davidson today formally unveiled the newly created community park, Davidson Park, at its iconic Juneau Avenue campus in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, WI (June 24, 2024) – Harley-Davidson today formally unveiled the newly created community park, Davidson Park, at its iconic Juneau Avenue campus in Milwaukee.
The project, pioneered by the Harley-Davidson Foundation (“the Foundation”), has been created in partnership with internationally acclaimed designers, Heatherwick Studio who conceived and oversaw an original design to transform the 4-acre parking lot just south of the Company’s 3700 W. Juneau Avenue building into a soulful green space that can be used by everyone who lives in and visits Milwaukee’s Near West Side (“NWS”). As part of the project team, HGA served as the architect and engineer of record and Greenfire Management Services as the construction partner, with both Milwaukee-based firms partnering with Heatherwick Studio to bring the design vision to life.
“When we started this project, we did so with one main goal, and that was to further connect the Company with our hometown Milwaukee, a place that we’ve been proud to call home for over 120 years,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “No matter how fast you move forward, you can never forget where you’ve come from – this project both celebrates our heritage and reinforces the power of the Harley-Davidson brand to be a force for good within our communities.”
“Davidson Park has been an extraordinary collaboration between the studio and local partners, schools, artists and the Forest County Potawatomi community, to transform an uninspiring concrete parking lot into a new public park and events amphitheatre for Milwaukee. Created for the local community, with the community’s collaboration and help, it’s a place where people can come together with friends and family to enjoy some of the wildness of Wisconsin’s incredible nature, listen to the state’s best music, or experience the energy of a motorcycle rally. Harley-Davidson has been part of Near West Side’s history for over 120 years and the park is a natural next chapter in their joint story. As the plants grow and mature, the intention is that the space increasingly honours both the heritage of Harley-Davidson and gives the residents something to not just enjoy, but to feel proud of,” said Thomas Heatherwick, Founder and Director, Heatherwick Studios.
“On behalf of the Harley-Davidson Foundation, we are really excited to formally unveil Davidson Park – we believe that the Park will provide a much-needed greenspace in our local community – but importantly a space that can be shared by all,” said Tori Termaat, President, The Harley-Davidson Foundation.
History and Concept
In 2021, the Foundation sponsored an Appreciative Inquiry Summit in partnership with Near West Side Partners, a non-profit founded to make the NWS a great place to live, work, play and stay by revitalizing and sustaining thriving business and residential corridors.
The Summit brought together over 200 NWS stakeholders, including residents, youth, and local businesses, to realize their hopes and dreams for the neighborhood. Among the key community needs identified was a safe green space that supports health, well-being, art and culture, and a place for youth to play. Input from the stakeholders served as the basis for Heatherwick Studio’s unique community park design.
From the start, the ambition for Davidson Park has been to create an inclusive place that everyone who lives or visits NWS can call their own – whether they use the park as a space to relax, to enjoy the local art and culture scene or attend an event.
“Davidson Park is a testament to the power of collaboration and listening,” says Peter Balistrieri, Principal and National Corporate Market Sector Leader at HGA. “Voices from all over the Near West Side—from Potawatomi leaders to local students and community groups—played a crucial role throughout the process. This is truly a park for the community, by the community.”
Davidson Park Features
The Hub and Foundation Stone
Celebrating togetherness and paying homage to history and community, at the heart of Davidson Park is “The Hub”, a sunken multi-use events space, an amphitheatre approximately 272 feet wide with tiered seating, set among lush plants and trees. The design promotes coming together with its circular layout defined by a combination of motorcycle driveways and turning circles, parking bays, sidewalks, plants, seats, and 360-degree viewpoints.
In one direction, “The Hub” will provide views of the brick buildings of the original home of Harley-Davidson. In the other, visitors will see a park sown with 120 native plant species, including 20 species of trees and 100 species of perennials, some of which are sacred to the Forest County Potawatomi tribe, who have helped provide guidance throughout the process.
The Hub has been built with ten types of locally sourced brick, natural wany-edge timber, and weathered steel with a beautiful warm patina. In addition to tripling the green space such as lawns and plantings, the park integrates a dynamic system of green infrastructure, including native bioswales, permeable pavers and cisterns to capture hundreds of thousands of gallons of stormwater – a significant contribution to regional infrastructure and the environment. With a commitment to sustainability, the park’s design will be one of the first SITES—a rating system for sustainable land design and development—certified projects in Wisconsin.
The Foundation Stone is located at the center of the Hub (the event and gatherings amphitheater, recessed into the ground) and is four feet in diameter made from cast iron. The Foundation Stone has been designed by local artist, and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design student, Megan Huss, and celebrates the Near West Side and the creation of this new community park in Milwaukee.
“I am incredibly honored to be a part of the history of Harley-Davidson and I am able to showcase the sense of community in the Near West Side neighborhood through my work,” said Huss.
Main Street
Main Street is the main pedestrian thoroughfare through the Park, envisioned for use for events such as farmers’ markets, craft fairs & food trucks. The street also connects all major areas of the park including the Hub, playground, community lawn, picnic knoll, serenity garden, and viewing lawns, surrounded by native plants, including one hundred species of perennials and twenty species of trees. People can walk across or around Main Street to access the Hub, making it a lively place for social interaction. At night, the street will have a festive ambiance with catenary lights above that change colors.
Union Plaza
The main pedestrian entrance to the park is Union Plaza, located off West Highland Boulevard. At approximately 11,000 square feet, the plaza leads to Main Street and the Hub and will be a destination in itself, with flexible space for temporary markets, food trucks, and events. Union Plaza will be made from concrete with varying textures. It is home to a 10-foot tall, weathered steel sculpture inspired by Harley Davidson’s iconic bar and shield.
North and South Lawn
Located off Main Street to the northeast is the community North Lawn. The Lawn is approximately 7,600 square feet in size and is surrounded by planting, which will provide shade and a beautiful setting for relaxation, play & community events.
The South Lawn picnic knoll is adjacent and east of Main Street and north of the Union Plaza. It is a place for people to gather on picnic benches, whether this be family lunch, dog walkers having a chat, or school children taking part in learning activities. The picnic knoll is approximately 5,750 square feet in size and is a wonderful place to be while surrounded by greenery.
Little Legends Playground
Located in the south portion of the park off Main Street, Legends Play Area was designed in collaboration with the NWS community to realize the vision of a nature play area. Elements include wooden log climbers, steppingstones, and hillside climbing. Little Legends Playground is 6,000 square feet of accessible elements for kids ages 1 to 12.
Viewing Hills
Three hillside Viewing Hills are adjacent to the southwest portion of the Hub. Each hill is approximately 2,300 square feet and provides views overlooking the Hub during special events such as movie nights, theatre events, or music performance events. The Hills also provide a place to relax surrounded by native plants, some of which are sacred to the Forest County Potawatomi., including one hundred species of perennials and twenty species of trees.
1903 Tavern
In partnership with Molson Coors, 1903 Tavern brings together two iconic Near West Side anchor institutions to offer Davidson Park visitors a relaxed open-air environment to socialize while enjoying a cold beverage. 1903 Tavern will serve an assortment of canned beverages including beer, malt, seltzers and non-alcoholic beverages. A portion of the revenue from 1903 Tavern goes back into amplifying Davidson Park’s ambition.
Potawatomi Serenity Garden
The Serenity Garden is a result of a close collaboration between the Forest County Potawatomi leaders and the Harley-Davidson Foundation. The garden reflects the geometry of the medicine wheel, a symbol of significance for many Native American tribes including the Potawatomi. A grandfather stone is located at the center of four quadrants of medicine plants that mark the cardinal directions of the wheel. These plants include tobacco to the east, cedar to the south, sage to the west, and sweetgrass to the north. All are invited to use this garden as a place for contemplation, reflection, and meditation.
An accessible and inclusive space, Davidson Park will be open and welcoming for all (residents, community members, and visitors) to enjoy, gather, and connect. We will continue to seek ongoing stakeholder feedback – incorporating and encouraging community and visitor voices to inform future enhancements and changing interests.
Future Campus Development
Today’s opening marks the first phase of development at Juneau Avenue. The Company’s vision for the campus is to focus on multi-purpose development, ensuring that developments continue to celebrate Harley-Davidson and its history, while recognizing the need to evolve the space to be relevant not only for today, but for the future. And as the Company continues to explore opportunities for the wider campus, we remain committed to our mission and vision.
As part of the next phase of development, two exciting additions are coming to Juneau Ave – a STEAM Lab and the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Headquarters.
Harley-Davidson recognizes the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) in education and the importance of helping build the next generation of skilled workers. The STEAM lab will enable H-D to further partner with local organizations and schools to provide students direct access to resources, receive mentoring from our talented employees, experience hands-on learning, and encourage career exploration in STEAM fields.
Racing has been part of H-D history for over 100 years and is a compelling way to bring its brand narrative to life for customers and fans. The H-D Factory Racing Team will move back to where it all began, giving visitors to the historic H-D headquarters an exciting and engaging behind-the-scenes look and enhancing customer-facing experiences in alignment with the Company’s campus strategy.
To learn more about Davidson Park, including upcoming events, visit h-d.com/davidsonpark.
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Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic
For two weeks, the NBA time-travelled back to the early 2000s: total scores struggling to surpass 90, field goal percentages in the 30s, and offensive ratings in-line with tanking teams. To put it blankly, these teams struggled to put the ball in the hoop. Orlando stole Game 1 on the road, then won both at home to take a commanding 3-1 lead over Detroit and looked primed to become just the seventh eight-seed to beat a one-seed. But after the Pistons prevailed in a Game 5 showdown where Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero put up 45 points apiece, the Magic seized up. And when they turned a 22-point half time lead in Game 6 into a 14-point loss, the series was all but over.
Shot creation is what matters. The Pistons nearly lost to an eight-seed that shot less than 40% for the series thanks to its roster construction, one that relies almost entirely on Cunningham to create looks. It took its toll too, with Cunningham totalling a staggering 41 turnovers (to just 50 assists). The Bucks will have Ryan Rollins back next season, and Ousmane Dieng can do some secondary playmaking, but with a huge question mark surrounding Giannis’ future with the team—and a smaller one with Kevin Porter Jr.’s—the Bucks have a lot of work to do to ensure they have enough legitimate creators. Heck, even with Giannis and KPJ there’s work to do, as this season proved.
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Joe Mazzulla said it best: “What changed in this series was Joel Embiid came back and they’re a completely different team.” Yes, Joel Embiid, notorious for playoff letdowns, flipped this series on its head. After getting routed in his Game 4 return, when they clearly struggled to reintegrate him into their play, the 76ers won three in a row to snatch the series and end the Celtics’ Cinderella season. Embiid had 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in the clincher, while running mate Tyrese Maxey put up 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. It was just the third time the 76ers have beaten the Celtics in their nine Game 7 matchups—and the first time Embiid has won a Game 7 matchup (previously 0-3).
This series speaks three truths. One, it reaffirms that redemption isn’t just solely for the movies. For Milwaukee, think Myles Turner. After an underwhelming season that was arguably his worst as a pro, with a new coach and system—one that might actually play to his strengths—Turner has a legitimate shot at reminding the world how much of a real difference-maker he can be. It’s not all on coaching and system, though, Turner needs to be better. Flat out.
Two, regular season depth—and trust—isn’t the same as playoff depth (and trust). Especially when it comes to Game 7s. Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza, Hugo Gonzalez, Ron Harper Jr., and Jordan Walsh—regulars all season long (save, perhaps, Harper)—combined for just 53 minutes of action and 0/12 from the field. Nikola Vucevic, who the Celtics acquired in exchange for Anfernee Simons, was a DNP-CD. The Bucks then, must be particularly mindful how they assess their own regular season minute-eaters and not overvalue their play, especially in a losing season. This goes for Cormac Ryan, Pete Nance, Jericho Sims, and even Ousmane Dieng.
Three, over-rely on the long ball at your own peril. The Celtics ranked fourth in the league during the regular season, taking 46.7% of their shots from three. In the playoffs, they upped this to a league-leading 52.5%. However, their accuracy regressed, dropping from 36.7% to 33.7%, and in Game 7 a whopping 49 of their 93 shots came from long range, yet they hit just 13 of them (26.5%) as they lost by nine. So, once again, shot creation matters. The Bucks need shooters, yes, but they don’t need one-dimensional ones (if we didn’t already know).
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks
After Atlanta went up 2-1—with each win coming by just one point—New York’s depth of talent finally shone through, smacking Atlanta about over the next three games (including a winning margin of 51 in Game 6). The Hawks were relying on the 34-year-old CJ McCollum as their main source of offence, which was only ever going to work for so long, while Jalen Johnson was a huge disappointment on both ends. Crucially, the Knicks also switched KAT’s matchup after Game 3, putting him back on Okongwu instead of getting cute with it and trying to hide him on non-shooting wings like Dyson Daniels or Jonathan Kuminga, which freed up guys like Josh Hart to have more of an impact as on-ball defenders.
I think this one is simple: you can win with smoke and mirrors in the regular season, but you need bona fide stars to win in the playoffs. Atlanta’s post-deadline resurgence was a nice story, but it should be mentioned that they had a long run of cupcake games down the home stretch. And don’t get me wrong, the Hawks played a solid brand of basketball on both ends, but once they ran into a team with legit, proven contributors in the postseason, it was over. They still have a ways to go.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors
After lookung uncompeteteive in Games 1 and 2, the Raptors found their identity (and it was classic Raptors): a big, athletic, imposing team that will suffocate you. The home team won every game in the series, which not many people predicted. Although Toronto’s offence sputtered in certain games, the defence never waivered (well, until the second half of Game 7, when they lost hold of the rope).
From a Cavs POV, I think it says a lot about team-building. I really like Cleveland’s team—they have skilled, unselfish role players and are deep in almost every position—but their stars, Mitchell and Harden, needed to lead the dance, which, by and large, they did not. Both players looked completely flummoxed by the Raptors’ defence, which pressured them relentlessly in the halfcourt and fullcourt, leading to a high turnover rate. I think what matters here is that finding an identity is the first step to becoming good; the Raptors know what they hang their hat on, and crucially, what they don’t. Although a few bad contracts may limit Toronto’s flexibility somewhat, they seem ripe for improvement if they can get better offensively. Under Taylor Jenkins, the Bucks’ first step will be finding that identity—with or without Giannis.
Do you agree with our assessments, or is there something we missed? Add your two cents in the comments.
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam talks greater involvement, Giannis future
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam says that he will have a greater involvement with the team and that includes the decision on if to re-sign Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Milwaukee Bucks know their placement in the 2026 NBA Draft, slotted No. 10 for their first lottery pick in a decade. Who are some of the possible selections at that spot when June 23 rolls around?
Check out what the first post-lottery wave of mock drafts has to say, most of them pointing to same prospect, that being Nate Ament of Tennessee, a 6-10 freshman small forward.
Nate Ament, forward, Tennessee
From Spencer Woo of ESPN: “While Ament’s stock has slipped from an early top-five projection, he had productive stretches this season within a tricky team context and has room to help himself in workouts. Although scouts are split on whether he has star potential or projects better as a long-term supporting player, there is still plenty of intrigue around Ament in the lottery. As a tall skill player with shotmaking upside, Ament fits a player archetype that teams often love to swing on. As Milwaukee considers a post-Antetokounmpo future, a malleable upside swing such as Ament could be a fit.”
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports: “The Bucks should take a swing to jump-start their new era, whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo is part of it. Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-foot-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and he severely struggled during the tournament. Bucks general manager Jon Horst has never been afraid to take risks though. If Ament pans out, it could look like a stroke of genius.”
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports: “Ament had an up-and-down freshman season for the Vols – but the upside isn’t hard to spot. Less than a year ago, the 2025 McDonald’s All-American was considered a possible top-five pick. So getting Ament here would be nice for a Bucks franchise that seems on the verge of rebuilding after presumably trading Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason.”
The Ringer: “Barring some transactional magic, this could be Milwaukee’s best bite at the talent apple in the draft for a while. The Bucks don’t currently have control over a first-round pick until 2031. If Giannis Antetokounmpo decides it’s time to move on, this roster will be rudderless and talent-deprived. If Giannis decides not to move on, it’ll have a rudder but still won’t go anywhere. Less than ideal, but that makes this a ‘best player available’ scenario, or rather ‘best wager available.’ There are definitely more stable options in this range, but Ament’s higher possible outcomes justify this pick. Ament fell short of expectations this past season, and he slid from top-five consideration as a result, but the jumbo-sized, smooth-moving ball handler is still a worthy bet here. Handling the ball at 6-foot-10 is an intriguing enough skill to instill some belief that he could develop into a quality asset. And the Bucks can take the risk given their circumstances.
Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports: “Ament is a polarizing prospect with a wide range of outcomes on draft night. A late-blooming 6-foot-10 combo-forward who is fluid, has touch, and skill, he’s also inconsistent and needs to get stronger. While his freshman year was up and down, Ament’s overall arc has been linear, and there’s still glaring potential. That upside makes him a logical choice for a Milwaukee team that has a very uncertain future ahead of them.”
Brian Lewis of New York Post: “After the run on guards, taking an upside swing on a gifted developmental player here seems like a worthy gamble for a Bucks team that could be in full-on rebuild in a post-Giannis era.”
Two other names mentioned
From Eric Nehm of The Athletic: “This was an incredibly difficult pick to make without knowing what the Bucks are going to do with Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the 10-time All-Star forward remains in Milwaukee, it might make more sense to look at someone like Yaxel Lendeborg, who could make an impact right away and give the Bucks more size and skill. Instead, though, I went with Philon, who has a lot of offensive upside and could be protected on the defensive end by Ryan Rollins. Philon is an electrifying offensive player who shot 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3 while averaging 22 points, 3.5 rebounds and five assists per game last season.”
From Kurt Helin of NBC Sports: “The Bucks need all the backcourt help they can get, and Burries may not be flashy, but he does a lot of things well — he can play on and off the ball, can knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers but also attack closeouts, and he gets downhill off screens and has a midrange pull-up game.”
Brad Paisley (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE – Brad Paisley is scheduled to perform at the BMO Pavilion in Milwaukee on Sept. 4.
Ticket information
What we know:
The ticket pre-sale for Brad’s fan club members, Paisley Nation, begins on Tuesday, May 12 at 10 am. All tickets available at BradPaisley.com.
The tour will also offer a variety of VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
Packages vary but include premium seats, a guided backstage tour, VIP-exclusive gift item, early entry & more. VIP package contents vary depending on the selected offer. For more information, visit VIPnation.com.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by Live Nation.
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