Bobby Portis has been one of the more frustrating players so far this season for the Milwaukee Bucks. He has been in a funk offensively and on the boards. With Giannis expected to miss time nursing a groin injury, fans are about to find out if more minutes for Portis will mean he finally snaps out of it or we see more of the same from the veteran.
Why more minutes could bode well or be a disaster for Portis
Portis has been affected by the team's incentives to focus on high-volume 3-point and at-the-rim attempts. Many of Bobby Portis' near 8,000 career points have come from mid-range post-ups. With the incentives changing a bit from years past, Portis has had difficulty finding his offensive rhythm.
Nothing helps a player struggling offensively more than getting more touches and shots up. For a player who thrives on confidence, Portis will have plenty of opportunities to regain the offensive form that so many fans have become accustomed to in years past. With Kevin Porter Jr., Giannis, and other players out of the lineup, offense is going to fall heavily on Rollins, Turner, Kuzma, and Portis' shoulders.
Defensively and on the boards may be where he (and the team) have been most disappointing. The Bucks rank 23rd in rebounds per game despite having one of the best front lines in the league. Portis is averaging just 5.5 rebounds per game, his lowest of any season with the Bucks. His defense has been abysmal as well. With this younger, more athletic Bucks roster, many fans are wondering if Bobby Portis still fits this team.
If Portis can get back to his peak form offensively, rebound like he has as a Buck in the past, and be solid on the defensive end, it could pay huge dividends. The bench lineups have struggled this season. As the head of the snake (especially with Kuzma recently being inserted into the starting lineup), Portis has to make a bigger difference in the game.
If Portis continues to play like he has thus far and Giannis remains out with an injury, the team could be in for a difficult few weeks. With matchups set with the Sixers, Heat, Pistons, and Knicks remaining this month, a good start to the season could vanish before December. To avoid that from happening, a lot of players, including Portis, have to step up on both ends of the court.