The Milwaukee Bucks already said that they will not appeal the 25-game suspension handed by the NBA to big man Bobby Portis but for Patrick Beverley, testifying on his former teammates’ character, thinks they should.
In case you missed it, Portis was suspended for violating the league and NBPA’s anti-drug policy, something he said happened by accident.
According to the player’s camp, he was supposed to take toradol for his elbow inflammation but he was instead given tramadol by his assistant.
Tramadol is a banned substance in the league and it could cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems to those who will take it. It was added to the league’s list of banned drugs only last spring.
Portis admitted to the mistake and head coach Doc Rivers said they will not appeal the verdict.
His explanation is not satisfying is simple.
Bucks reporter Eric Nehm wrote:
Doc Rivers told reporters the Bucks thought about appealing the Portis suspension, but the “danger of that was too great to take”.
Rivers wouldn’t add anymore, but he seemed to be suggesting dragging this out would have potentially pushed the suspension into the postseason.
Milwaukee Bucks should appeal the Bobby Portis suspension
It was an honest mistake and Beverley believes it.
Beverley, who played half a season for the Bucks in the 2023-2024 season, does not think Portis will deliberately violate the league’s rules.
He also thinks the 25-game suspension is over the top.
“This is very surprising for me. Very very surprising when I first heard it. The pain medicine was mistakenly taken. This isn’t in his character though. You gotta appeal that one,” he said on a video posted on X.
“You don’t wanna see a player go out for that. A mistake. You never wanna see a player go out for mistake. 25? Damn. Hate to see it though. Bobby a real good cat, man.”
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