With Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to miss the first part of the Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, it goes without saying that the rest of the squad will need to step up.
Bobby Portis will need to do his part for the Bucks — both on and off the court. As one of the leaders of the team, it’s on the veteran big man to rally the troops, so to speak, as they embark on what is expected to be an extremely tough matchup against Tyrese Haliburton and Co.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Bobby Portis Speaks Out on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Injury
In a recent interview with Shams Charania of The Athletic, Portis was asked to share his mindset on the Bucks losing their talisman for the start of their first-round series against Indiana. According to Portis, it’s now just a matter of making the most out of what they have:
“Just taking it a day at a time,” Portis said. “That’s the only thing you can control. Control what you can control. The one constant that stays the same is basketball never changes. You have to go out there and play the game the right way.”
Portis went on to say that the Bucks have been in this position in the past. This is not their first dance, and they’ve already proven that they can succeed even when they’re undermanned:
“We’ve been through series and situations where we’ve had a number of different guys out, so it’s nothing new to us,” Portis said. “But at the same time, it’s still like, ‘Damn.’ You still want your whole entire crew to be healthy and be together.”
Despite the optimism from Portis, however, there’s just no denying that there’s just no replacing what Giannis brings to the table. The Bucks will need to dig deep just to be able to compete against a formidable Pacers side sans Antetokounmpo.
Leave Everything on the Floor
Portis firmly believes that talent is just half the battle. The 29-year-old, more than anyone, knows that the players have to exhibit a real passion and desire to win:
“It ain’t about who’s the most talented and all that,” he said. “It’s about who want it more. It’s playoff basketball.”
And that’s exactly what Portis brings to the floor for the Bucks. He’s no superstar, but his unbridled intensity allows him to impact the game in a significant manner — especially come playoff time.
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