Why Bobby Portis has become the People's Champion to Milwaukee Bucks fans
Lori Nickel
The dedicated and diehard Milwaukee Bucks fans appreciated Bobby Portis first for his simple traits of hustle and energy.
Then another branch of his fan club grew when Portis became Giannis Antetokounmpo’s temporary bodyguard after he took a technical foul for standing in between the two-time MVP and pushing a Miami player out of his way after a foul.
Then, an unexpected cheering section was added during those late nights at Fiserv Forum when Portis came back out on the court, after the games had ended in the Brooklyn series — in which he did not play — to get up extra shots. The fifth quarter delighted the lingering fans.
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But Portis’ fan-favorite legacy was sealed in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday night when he stepped up for the injured Antetokounmpo, with the series tied at 2-2, to start his first playoff game.
“I worked out yesterday in the gym, and they were kind of hinting around to it, but I didn't really think I was going to start,” Portis said. “Then came to shootaround this morning and we did our film and Coach said, ‘You're going to start.’
“I said, Cool, I'm ready to go out and start.' "
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Every great drama needs a selfless hero and for this Milwaukee team, down two starters and fighting for its championship life, he is the headband-wearing, emotionally charging, in-the-paint hunting 26-year-old from Arkansas.
“His teammates love him. The fans love him. He brings that passion for the game, for life," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "He's fun to be around. I think the crowd can feel that. His teammates can feel that. Coaches can feel it. He's a worker, too. It's a little bit of everything, but passion to me is the thing he brings to the game.”
Portis had 22 points, eight rebounds and three steals in the Bucks' momentum-seizing 123-112 victory over Atlanta. The series now heads back to Atlanta on Saturday for Game 6 and the Bucks have the 3-2 lead. One more victory and they’re on to the NBA championship.
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Both teams were without their stars: Antetokounmpo who suffered a hyperextended knee injury in the third quarter of Game 4, and Atlanta’s Trae Young, who has been out two games with a bone bruise. Milwaukee simply needed to prove it could march on without its MVP.
Portis would not disappoint. He could not. He’s been preparing for this for a year and a half.
Remember, he had not played in the playoffs since 2017, back when he was a 22-year-old with Chicago. He missed everything last year when his team didn’t even make the NBA Bubble. This is why he came to Milwaukee — to contend for a title. And then, he was held out of the Brooklyn series, when Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer went with a smaller lineup.
"I's crazy, he didn't play much in the Brooklyn series. He was disappointed, but he didn't sulk, complain about it or whatnot," said Khris Middleton. "He stayed locked in and stayed ready. He's had a huge impact in this series so far. That just tells you the type of character guy he is and what he's all about."
Portis said that he felt the need to step up knowing that Giannis went down.
"that's what makes the game that much better - when you have to stay locked in and stay in the moment and be ready," said Portis.
"I didn't play the last couple games in the Brooklyn series, but I didn't pout. I just kept working and knew my time would come. I always just believe if you do the things the right way and you do right, it always comes back around. The cream always rises to the top. I just tried to stay in the moment and be a team guy and I give all the credit to my teammates and Coach for just trusting me.”
Now, Portis is appreciated for what he brings to the team. Offensive rebounding. Tenacious play among the bigs. Great touch with shooting. And the joy of it all.
He doesn’t need the fan adoration — he’s already confident and he’s already energetic. He seeks it because he appreciates them, for appreciating the Bucks.
“Milwaukee's a tough city," Portis said. "You know, some people at the start of the season — they were telling us all about the city and how tough it is to live here and things like that, and you know, the city goes through a lot.
“So, when they see somebody that gives his all and works hard, because it's a blue-collar city and I'm a blue-collar player, I'm going to make the shots whether they are going in or not, I still give my all to the team 100%, for the name in front of the jersey and they love players like that. It's just fun, man, to go out there and play this game, and have the home-court advantage, as well, and just get them involved just so we can have that home-court advantage.
“Coming here was one of the best decisions for my career. I started my career kind of shaky, up and down, a lot of highs, a lot of lows, as well, and when you first come to the NBA, you don't really understand the journey. You just come from college, I was the best player on my team, Player of the Year, All-American, All-American high school. So when I first got to the league, I wasn't playing a lot. Didn't really understand and kind of lost myself a little bit, but I fought my way in. Played some. Went through a lot of altercations and things like that.
“But the journey is what makes it sweet, man, in the NBA. You really can't put a tab on that. Coming here, man, was the best decision, like I said, of my career, having good veterans like Giannis and Brook to coach me up on how to be a two-way player on the defensive end and things like that and guys like Khris and Jrue, who are unselfish that can pass the ball and still trust me to shoot my shots; and having coaches, Coach Bud and Coach (Darvin) Ham and all the coaching staff that just believe in me. It was a great decision on that, too.”