Milwaukee Bucks underdog Bobby Portis embraces his significantly undervalued role on the team because he emerges from humble beginnings, better understood in Black popular culture vernacular as coming from “the mud” in Little Rock, Arkansas. Using the wisdom that such a background teaches a person, Portis stays inspired to achieve greatness—even though he recognizes the barriers he must constantly confront. Understanding he does not receive the credit and recognition his talent merits, the former Arkansas Razorback star metaphorically wears his underdog status as a motivating badge of honor. While the Milwaukee Bucks superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and newly acquired Damian…
