Milwaukee Bucks: 3 goals for Bobby Portis for 2020-21 season

Goal no. 2 – Hold up defensively

For the size, strength and physical tools that Portis possesses, he does not come to Milwaukee carrying a sterling reputation as far as his defensive services are considered.

Perhaps that speaks more of the teams and environments he has played in over the first five seasons of his career, but Portis’ meager defensive stats certainly doesn’t paint a positive picture in this regard. Nor does the fact that opponents shot 63 percent on shots taken within six feet when Portis was protecting the rim last season, per NBA.com/stats.

With the Bucks’ defensive scheme built around their ability to protect the basket, Portis doesn’t exactly stand as a reassuring answer for when he’s on the floor in favor of Brook Lopez or Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The institutional knowledge that the Bucks’ best rim protectors have built up under Budenholzer and his staff stand as a distinct advantage that Portis just doesn’t have in his back pocket right now. And with two weeks until the start of the season, being able to get up to speed before the real games begin is just something that isn’t likely possible for Portis, especially as he’s never played in a scheme that’s set up like the Bucks’ under Bud.

This set of circumstances certainly make for something to key in on as Portis looks to his find his place in Milwaukee and he’ll have to do that as soon as possible.