The Milwaukee Bucks struck gold when they took a chance on Bobby Portis.
It was pointed out that Portis’ NBA career wasn’t going to last long, as he was often out of control on offense and a major defensive liability for the Chicago Bulls.
He couldn’t guard smaller, quicker players or hold his own against stronger guys in the post.
He didn’t have any post moves, his handles were subpar, and he couldn’t stretch the floor due to being a non-shooter.
Add his physical altercation with Nikola Mirotic into that mix, and Portis was a strong candidate to either spend his entire career in the G-League or take his talents overseas.
But now, the Arkansas product has become one of the most important players for the Bucks, even helping them win the NBA championship a couple of seasons ago.
Portis is currently averaging a double-double (14.1 points and 10.1 rebounds) despite not being a starter, leading the NBA in double-doubles off the bench (19), becoming a perennial candidate to take home the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Bobby Portis tonight:
18 PTS
10 REB
3 AST
75% FGLeague-leading 19th double-double off the bench. pic.twitter.com/sXMn39kur7
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 24, 2023
It hasn’t always been pretty or easy.
In fact, he agreed to take a big pay cut after their championship season just to stay and run it back with Mike Budenholzer’s team.
But he’s now in the midst of a four-year, $49 million pact with the organization where he’s brought his career back from the ashes, and there’s no denying that he’s earned every single penny of that new deal.
Portis is yet another example of why we shouldn’t give up on a player too early.
