Bobby Portis Jr. has a deliberate, clockwork routine before he meets with the assembled media following a game.
Sometimes it includes a pair of designer sunglasses, but the earrings are always carefully tightened, the seams across the shoulders and pant pleats perfectly aligned when he stands up.
And on many occasions this year, one that has been bitterly disappointing, he’s been the one to stand on Milwaukee Bucks business, tasked with answering for what has gone wrong so many times this season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who speaks after nearly every game, has missed most of them this season. Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton and Damian Lillard are all long gone. The mantle was picked up by Portis, who turned 31 years old in February, and is winding down his sixth season with the Bucks. He is the longest tenured player in the locker room behind Antetokounmpo.
As he has often said this season before answering questions, Portis has never ducked any smoke. He stood and answered every question asked. He’s lingered a half beat, too, just to make sure he wasn’t needed at times he wasn’t asked to be interviewed.
And while he always has taken a leadership role with younger players off the court, the “Mayor of Milwaukee” has stepped seamlessly into a vocal, public-facing one.
“It’s a different team, man, so every day I have to be just a good pro, I have to be positive, I have to encourage guys, push guys,” he told the Journal Sentinel about how he approached leadership this season.
“Even when things probably don’t go well for myself or I’m not doing as well as I want to, I still have to be a leader. It’s one thing I’ve been trying to get better at over the last couple seasons, but in particular this season as well. Just not letting maybe my bad game or me not getting minutes or whatever it is affect my leadership. Just staying in the now and being a leader knowing what’s thrown ahead of me.”
Portis could step confidently into that very public space because of the equity he already had behind closed doors.Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. told the Journal Sentinel that Portis has hosted him and other young players at the veteran’s home on many occasions over the years and said, “the things that he’s taught them and me will definitely last a lifetime, and we’ll be able to give that game to some other kid some day when they’re growing up in the league.”
“One thing about Bob is he’s not afraid to hold you accountable. He’s told me things that I learned off the court how to navigate the NBA, how to extend my career off the court, make the right decisions off the court.”
Along with holding greater responsibility off the court this season, Portis has also become a franchise leader in some statistical categories.
On March 8 against Orlando, he became just the 27th person to log 400 regular season games in a Bucks uniform. That same game he also moved into second place all-time in double-doubles off the bench with 87.
Portis trails only two-time Sixth Man of the Year Detlef Schrempf for double-doubles off the bench in league history.
He has recorded 60 of those with the Bucks, which is a franchise record. That same night against the Magic, Portis passed Connaughton for fifth in franchise history in career 3-pointers made with 587.
Regarding other Bucks franchise lists, Portis is chasing Terry Cummings for sixth place in career defensive rebounds and is closing in on Glenn Robinson for ninth in 3-point attempts.
Because of his role on the 2021 championship team, and his charitable work in the City of Milwaukee, Portis’ status among the fan base had long been cemented. But even in a year where team results have lagged behind expectations, Portis has remained a bright spot.
“One thing I learned, especially over the years, that as a leader you have to be the same way every day,” he said. “So, every day, I’m the same way. No matter if I’m playing 18 minutes tonight and tomorrow I’m playing 35 minutes. I’m the same Bobby Portis that come in. You’re gonna get the energy, you’re gonna get the talking, you’re gonna get whatever you need from me. I’m there. As a leader you just gotta be the same every day, whether it’s going good for you or not. It’s bigger than you.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bobby Portis Jr. has remained a bright spot on, off court for Bucks
Reporting by Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
