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Milwaukee Bucks begin final season at BMO Harris Bradley Center Friday night

Posted at 12:24 PM, Oct 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-20 16:23:45-04

Excitement is building around tonight's Bucks home opener vs. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

It'll be the final time the Bucks begin a season at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. 

The team is expected to move into the new arena going up just North of the Bradley Center for the start of the 2018-19 NBA season. 

"It's definitely sad that the time in this building is coming to an end," said former Bucks and Marquette University player Steve Novak. 

But Novak, who's now a member of the Bucks broadcast team, said this season and the years to come in the new facility should be exciting. 

"I think we're already having conversations internally about winning a championship, which I don't think has taken place, always, in the past," Novak said. 

Lifelong Bucks fan Paul Henning said he feels the same way. He's excited about the team's young core of talent. 

"I think this is going to be a great year," Henning said. 

Henning said he has lots of memories from the Bradley Center. He remembers tough years, with a lot of losses, in the 1990's. 

But Henning added the 2000-2001 team's run to the Eastern Conference Finals was a highlight of his Bucks fandom. 

"I'll remember all the good times, and I'll remember the bad times too," Henning said. 

"It's important to honor the past, but I'm way more excited about the future and what that brings," Henning added. 

Tip off tonight is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.