NFL
By: Melo Williams
It’s been another good week of Bucks basketball despite Giannis Antetokounmpo missing two games but Bucks currently have the best record in the league still at 10-2 after starting the season 9-0.
The Bucks lost their second game of the season to the San Antonio Spurs Friday night 111-93. Milwaukee wrapped up the week going 2-2 beating OKC twice with losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Spurs.
Milwaukee started the 2022-2023 season battling injuries but behind the play of Giannis, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, and Jevon Carter, the Bucks have been looking like the best team in the NBA that’s on a mission to bring the franchise its third NBA championship.
Last night Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Kris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen, Joe Ingles, and A.J. Green due to health issues but battled the Spurs behind the play of its second big three of Lopez, Carter, and especially Bobby Portis.
This week Bucks veteran big man Bobby Portis is in the spotlight.
After being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2015, Portis had stops with the Washington Wizards and New York Knicks before landing in Milwaukee. Since Milwaukee, Portis has found peace, in his role and become a fan favorite. You often hear chants of “BOBBY, BOBBY, BOBBY.”
During free agency, Milwaukee signed Bobby Portis to a well-deserved 4-year $49 million contract after having the best season of his career with 14.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1 block, 1.2 assists, and 1 steal per game while shooting 47.9% from the field and 39.3% from three. He also was a key catalyst in helping Milwaukee win its second NBA championship in 2021.
This season Bobby Portis is averaging 13.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG, and 2.0 APG coming off the bench. Due to rest for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Portis started for the third time in Milwaukee’s last four games and has been very productive with his minutes.
In Friday’s 111-93 loss to the Spurs, Portis contributed 16 points (6-15 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds, and two assists and one steal in 31 minutes. Over that four-game stretch, Portis had three double-doubles and averaged 13.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game.
According to StatMamba Most 3PM per game by players averaging a double-double Bobby Portis is ranked third trailing James Harden and Nikola Vucevic.
2.2 – James Harden
1.8 – Nikola Vucevic
1.3 – Bobby Portis
Portis has bought in defensively for the Bucks and it’s paying huge dividends. Portis is a similar height to Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo but with a different element in how he defends. He’s quicker and more mobile than the Bucks’ two frontcourt starters Giannis and Lopez and is a better switch and weak-side help defender. Portis isn’t the rim protector that Giannis or Brook are but he protects the paint at a high level.
Bucks’ coach Mike Budenholzer has said that Bobby earned the respect and trust of the coaching staff and his teammates on both offense and defense. The hard work and energy Portis brings are hard to match. He often frustrates opposing players with his tough-nosed on-ball defense, and it’s relentless. After the Bucks’ loss Khris Middleton in the playoffs last year, Portis stepped in and played a huge role for Milwaukee.
Twelve games in and Bobby Portis has been a huge reason for the Bucks’ blazing hot start this season. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a player in the NBA that plays with more passion, fire, and energy than Bobby Portis which is why he could be the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year this season if he continues to play this well the remainder of the season.
