For a time, Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton had long been underappreciated with the Milwaukee Bucks, often finding themselves at the center of fan-driven trade discussions.
It wasn't always like this. In the team's 2021 title run, their hustle and floor-spacing were seen as crucial to the Bucks' success on the court. The two were often deployed alongside one another in times when the team was in need of a spark plug - and they played those roles to perfection.
In the years since then, fans have grown discontent with the two. Connaughton was showing signs of aging and couldn't seem to expand his offensive game beyond floor spacing, and Portis seemed to kill any semblance of offensive flow whenever the ball touched his hands.
However, in the Milwaukee Bucks' season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, both players delivered performances that not only silenced their critics but also showcased their undeniable value to the team. It's clear they're done hearing their names brought up in trade talks - and they have something to say about it.
Portis, Connaughton are rewriting the narrative of their Bucks tenure
In a game marked by the absence of key players—Khris Middleton for Milwaukee and Joel Embiid and Paul George for Philadelphia—Portis and Connaughton stepped up when it mattered most.
The Bucks secured a decisive 124-109 victory, with Portis contributing 16 points, three rebounds and two steals, while Connaughton poured in nine points, four rebounds, an assist and a block off the bench. Their combined efforts were crucial in maintaining momentum during critical stretches of the game, especially as the Milwaukee Bucks navigated through early-season jitters.
It wasn't just the numbers they managed to put up, but it was how they got there.
After preseason showings demonstrating his new and improved 3-point jumper, Portis took the opportunity to go to work in the paint and show off his handles in this game. For his first bucket of the game, Portis got a quick seal on Caleb Martin in transition to create early offense for the Bucks. From then on, it was all about physical play and taking advantage of his towering size over Philadelphia's smaller forwards. He got bucket after bucket purely off jostling for position in the paint - and winning.
Known for his energy and tenacity, Portis not only scored efficiently but also provided a defensive presence that stifled Philadelphia's attempts to rally. His ability to stretch the floor and score from all three levels made him a pivotal player in this matchup.
Portis was quoted saying this at a postgame media availability in the preseason:
"I just credit my hard work over the summer. A whole lot of naysayers just talking crazy on my name. Every time I get on social media, every time I do something, there's always somebody saying something about me. I created myself on working hard each year and getting better. One thing I've done my whole career is just continue to get better each and every year nobody what nobody says. So my biggest thing this summer was just get in the gym and just to work."
Connaughton, on the other hand, was the more cerebral player of the two in this game. He made use of smart and opportunistic back cuts to the rim to create playmaking opportunities early for the Bucks' bigs and got rewarded for it. His was a return-to-form sort of game, showing all the traits that endeared fans to him in the first place.
Often seen as a role player, Connaughton showcased his versatility by hitting a 3-pointer, attacking closeouts off the catch and providing crucial assists. His hustle plays energized the crowd and his teammates alike, proving that he can be more than just a bench warmer.
The two also finished the game contesting the second and third-most shots on the entire team, consistently moving their feet, making things tough for the opposition and funneling scorers to big man Brook Lopez.
Milwaukee's 'dog pound' has re-emerged as important bench pieces
The Bucks' season opener wasn't just about securing a win; for these two, it was clearly the start of rewriting narratives. It's clear that both Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis, known for their unyielding energy and blue-collar work ethic, weren't content with simply filling space as throw-ins in a trade.
Perhaps the most poetic moment of the game for the two was when they connected for a give-and-go dunk in a quick sideline out-of-bounds play where a quick screen by Lillard freed up Connaughton for the cut.
As the season unfolds, their performances may well force a reassessment of their roles within the team. If that happens, this one game may be looked back on as the inflection point where Portis and Connaughton stepped into the spotlight and faced the music.
"I worked every f****** day of my life this summer like a madman, bro, and I just want my work to show on the court...I'm just playing with confidence and going out there and being who I am," Portis said.
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