Bobby Portis has been an underdog all his life. Now, he is a NBA champion. From Arkansas, to Chicago, to New York, and to Milwaukee, he was always underestimated. He can no longer be underestimated, because he is a champion!
I WOKE UP A CHAMP! WHAT THEY GONNA SAY NOW! FROM AN UNDERDOG TO A TOP DOG! TURNED NOTHING INTO SOMETHING! STAY LOCKED IN!
— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) July 21, 2021
Bobby Portis Went Through Some Real Stuff
Growing up was not easy for Bobby Portis. His mom worked tirelessly to provide for him and his siblings. Bobby saw first-hand the struggles his mom went through.
When he was 15 years old, Bobby Portis grew tired of a man getting physical with his mom, so he fought him. Family packed up and left. He told me he just wanted better for her and his siblings. That’s what drove him. That dude went through some real stuff. So happy for that dude.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) July 21, 2021
Years later, when asked about his pregame ritual, Bobby had this to say:
“I play very angry because every game, I sit in the locker room and I envision that the other player on the team slapped my mom. That’s why I get mad, and now I’ve gotta get you because you slapped my mom.”
No woman, no person should have to go through that. Bobby knew that, and he was determined to give his family a better life.
The Road to Milwaukee
Bobby knew that in order to make a better life for his family, he would need to be successful on the court. He became the highest ranked high school player in Arkansas, was a five-star recruit, and signed with his home university. From Arkansas, he went on to be a first-round pick of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA.
However, people still underestimated Bobby. Chicago traded him to Washington in 2019. After the 2019-2020 season, he signed with the New York Knicks. The Knicks were not very good that year, and when the season resumed in the bubble, they were not invited. For Bobby Portis, that was added motivation.
“For 10 months straight, I was working out, just depressed and down on myself about not being invited to the bubble. But I found peace again, and I wouldn’t trade this for the world.”
The Edge Milwaukee Needed
If there was anything that the Bucks lacked in their previous two seasons as number one seeds in the East, it was an edge. That edge was provided by Bobby Portis. All of a sudden, a player off the bench came in with a punch. He was instant offense and played with better defense than analysts led fans to believe he could play with.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, when Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a hyperextended knee, it was Bobby Portis who filled in as the starting power forward. He provided the team with energy, defense, and that ever so important edge. As a result, the Bucks made their first Finals appearance since 1974.
The Underdog Is Now the Top Dog
The Milwaukee Bucks are finally the NBA Champions. After falling behind 2-0 in the series, they won the next four games to clinch the title at home. Throughout all of their home games, Portis was met with chants calling out his name.
🗣 BOBBY! BOBBY! BOBBY! @BMOHarrisBank | #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/rP76J66SUS
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 22, 2021
It was not an easy road, but it was a fulfilling journey. The underdog is now the top dog and an NBA Champion.
Underdog to the top dog!! pic.twitter.com/R93K0fZBct
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 22, 2021
Not only is he a NBA Champion, he is a champion of the people of Milwaukee. While Giannis Antetokoumpo may be the MVP and the most popular player on the team, Bobby Portis is beloved by everyone. Milwaukee just loves Bobby Portis.
The People’s Champ. pic.twitter.com/dO8WPa69T0
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 22, 2021
We hope the feeling is mutual, and that he is here for a long time.
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