Bobby Portis has embraced his role as sixth man of the Milwaukee Bucks. His play will be key if they are to reach their ultimate goal of a championship.
In 1983, Philadelphia 76ers enforcer Bobby Jones was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. It was the first time the league handed out the award. The Sixers went on the win the title that season and the ’83 team is one of the most fondly remembered champions in history. Strong bench play has always been one of the keys to success in the NBA. Four times the player who’s won Sixth Man of the Year has played for a team that’s gone on to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Milwaukee Bucks understand this just as much as any team in the league. One could argue that one of the reasons the Miami Heat were able to eliminate them in five games last postseason was their depth. With Giannis Antetokounmpo still hobbled from an injury he’d faced the previous round against the Orlando Magic, Miami seemed to have countless bodies who could not only play significant minutes but make key contributions while they were in the game.
This off-season, Milwaukee’s front office made some important moves aimed at improving the depth of the team. While Jrue Holiday has transitioned into his role as the team’s starting point guard nicley, the addition of Bobby Portis as a spark plug off the bench could prove to be equally as important.
Through the early parts of the season Portis has shown grit, versatility and productivity to be the all-important sixth man that every championship contender needs. Here are the things he’s done well thus far.