Milwaukee Bucks big man Bobby Portis is no Mr. Scrooge. However, the veteran recently admitted that he opted not to put a Christmas tree at home this year.
Portis has a very compelling reason as to why he’s decided not to take part in this age-old tradition, and it sheds light on the harsh reality NBA players are living in.
No Tree For Bobby This Year
The Bucks are playing on Thursday against the Orlando Magic in what will be their eighth straight home game. They then embark on a four-game road trip, which includes A Christmas Day matchup against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden.
Portis and the rest of the Bucks won’t be able to celebrate Christmas in Milwaukee this year, which is the reason behind the 28-year-old’s decision to shun the Christmas tree tradition:
“I didn’t even put a tree up this year. At the crib, I don’t even have a tree up because on the 22nd, which is Friday, we leave” he said. ” Obviously, I ain’t gonna be able to open no presents under my tree. I ain’t gonna have my presents sitting at the crib under the tree for five, six days after Christmas.
“Obviously, it’s what our job entails to do this. What the word calls. When we have to play basketball on the road, that’s what we have to do. We’ll come back and celebrate Christmas afterward or guys have kids, whatever it is, they’ll probably celebrate it before, which probably ain’t the same feeling, waking up and being at home with your loved ones and things.”
As Portis said, this is all part of the job for an NBA player. Nevertheless, this still doesn’t make spending Christmas away from their families any easier.
Milwaukee Bucks Take on Knicks on Christmas Day
The Bucks take on the Knicks twice in the span of three days, including their December 25 showdown at MSG. The NBA has its own tradition of slating some of the biggest marquee matchups on Christmas Day, which for Portis, is the silver lining of his rather heartbreaking confession.
“We still get an opportunity to play on Christmas which is great, being one of 10 teams that was selected,” he continued. “One of those things you can’t really take for granted. You grew up watching the greats play on Christmas every year. You open your presents and you cut the game on at 12 (noon). You watch the Bucks this year.
“Me growing up, turn the game on at 12, I watched Kobe or I watched [Kevin Garnett] or whatever it is. Not saying I’m in their shoes, but kinda in their shoes because we’re playing on Christmas. It’s a great feeling and it’s something that you just have to cherish to the utmost.”
"I didn't even put a tree up this year. Like at the crib, I don't even have a tree up."
Bobby Portis made some decisions regarding the Bucks being on the road for Christmas. 😂😂 #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/mD0ltXYfYf
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) December 21, 2023
You can always rely on Bobby Portis to see the bright side in every situation.
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1 Comment
I would hardly call it heartbreaking. People are in war zones, natural disasters, ICUs, military deployments, hospice, abusive homes. That’s heartbreaking. A well paid professional athlete working is more “bittersweet” but that doesn’t make good clickbait.