It certainly did not take long for big man Bobby Portis to reach fan-favorite status during his short time with the Milwaukee Bucks thus far.
Portis signed with the Bucks in free agency on a two-year, $7.2 million deal, and he had big shoes to fill. The 25-year-old was stepping into a frontcourt that had lost both Marvin Williams and Ersan Ilyasova that offseason, two veterans that were key contributors on last year’s Milwaukee squad.
More from Bucks News
- Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
- Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
- Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
- Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
- New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited
Throughout 20 games this season, it is safe to say that Portis has fit like a glove with the Bucks in that backup power forward role. He has been one of Milwaukee’s better reserves this year, and there are several reasons behind that.
Without further ado, here are three reasons why Bobby Portis has been a phenomenal fit with the Milwaukee Bucks from the jump this season.
Reason No.3 Bobby Portis has fit seamlessly with Milwaukee Bucks – Joining a winning culture
Bobby Portis made it clear that when he signed with the Bucks this past offseason that it was because he wanted to join a winning culture. Of course, the Bucks have boasted the best regular season record in consecutive seasons, and as he detailed during his first media availability, the big man was drawn in by their success:
"“I just wanted to be a part of winning. I’m going into my sixth year in the NBA now and I’ve been on a couple of winning teams, but it’s been up and down the whole time. Having the opportunity being on a winning team and a winning culture was big for me.”"
As Portis alluded to, he has not seen much action beyond the regular season in his six years in the NBA, playing in just six total postseason games, all of which came in 2016-17. His free agency came down to wanting to win and joining an organization that would put him in the best place to do that. As he detailed in a recent Twitter exchange, he believed Milwaukee was that destination.
Tbh I could’ve signed for 3-4 times what I’m making this year elsewhere. Wasn’t about the money this year for me. Was more about respect more than anything. Also, just from a fit standpoint I thought I would fit in well. https://t.co/m4AtMcbaTU
— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) January 28, 2021
Although it is still early, playing in this environment with this cast around him has certainly helped elevate his game. Playing alongside the likes of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and being coached by the award-winning Mike Budenholzer has undoubtedly helped turn his game up a notch.