Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis leading key bench unit

As more games flow into the 2020-21 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks continue to follow a trend where their success has been backed by lengthy contributions from its bench unit. While they’ve added numerous valuable additions to the reshaped roster from the offseason, energetic forward Bobby Portis has been the one leading the way off the bench.

Portis quickly adjusted to fit in with the Bucks by setting the tone with his relentless work ethic, underdog mentality, and determination to win. After all, he signed a cheap two-year, $7.4 million contract (2021-22 player option) with Milwaukee due to the desire to win and compete for a championship.

That’s the type of player that Bobby Portis seems to be. He surely could have signed for more cash while receiving a larger role with other teams, but chose to sacrifice those values in favor of team success. As a result, it has worked out perfectly so far for both Portis and the Bucks.

Bobby Portis consistently thriving in his role with the Milwaukee Bucks

After spending a short, one-year span with the New York Knicks last season, the 25-year-old igniter continues to thrive in his Sixth Man role with Milwaukee. It didn’t take long, but Portis has already developed a very likable reputation across the Bucks fanbase.

Through 22 games, Bobby Portis is averaging 11.6 points and 7.5 rebounds on career-high shooting of 55.8 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from three while playing just 21.6 minutes per game. Most recently against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, Portis posted 14 points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block en route to Milwaukee’s 14th win of the season.

In addition to his physical abilities on the court, the mental and social aspect of his presence seems to be serving as a crucial factor as well. Since the day he arrived in the city of Milwaukee wearing an “Underdog” mask, Portis has brought a mentality that offers motivation, determination, and perseverance to the culture of this organization.

The former Arkansas Razorback has earned plenty of respect from his teammates and coaching staff because of it, and it’s clear that he’ll be a bright light in the locker room throughout their quest toward the ultimate goal. Evidently, he has identified himself as an essential component of this title-contending team.

The Milwaukee Bucks bench has proved to be vital toward success

Although, while Bobby Portis has headlined the bulk of the production off the bench for the Milwaukee Bucks, the other role-players need to play their part too. D.J. Augustin, Bryn Forbes, Pat Connaughton, and Torrey Craig round out the rest of head coach Mike Budenholzer’s rotational pieces as of now.

All five members of the current bench unit could be important moving forward, but the guys that have stood out have been Portis, Augustin, and Forbes. When those three play efficient basketball on the same night, especially offensively, the Bucks seem nearly unbeatable.

During the Bucks’ wins this season, Portis, Augustin, and Forbes have combined for an average of 32.9 points per game. Nevertheless, throughout their losses, they have combined for an abysmal 13.1 points per game…

That happens to be a significant gap, which insightfully explains how valuable the contributions of those three are to the Bucks offensively. There has been a pattern of Milwaukee’s bench production leading to wins, so it ultimately provides clarity on the level of importance surrounding the bench moving forward.

It all begins with the impact of Bobby Portis though. When he’s locked in and maximizing his role, the Bucks are difficult to slow down. Portis has averaged 14.1 points per game across Milwaukee’s wins and just 7.1 points throughout the losses, so his individual value speaks for itself.

As the main initiator of the Milwaukee Bucks’ bench production, Bobby Portis continues to be a key factor in claiming victories with his scoring abilities, tenacious rebounding, contagious mentality, and desire to win.