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Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin and forward Bobby Portis Jr. remained mum on what happened inside the team's locker room after they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the In-Season Tournament semifinals last Thursday. The two emphasized that whatever was said in the locker room at that time would stay there.

Passionate group

According to a report by Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, Portis had some words to say to Griffin in the locker room regarding organizing the team's offense in late-game situations. The Bucks' sloppiness on that end was evident as the Pacers picked off a bad pass by Khris Middleton and turned it into an easy layup to give Indiana more cushion in the closely contested game.

When asked about it by The Athletic's Eric Nehm, Griffin did not offer any comment other than saying the Bucks are a passionate group that doesn't take losing very lightly.

"I won't comment on what was reported. Like I said, we're a passionate group. We hate to lose. We're a together group. I love coaching this group. We got nothing but winners and high-character guys, and whatever internal dialogue happens in our locker room stays in our locker room," Griffin said.

A competitor

Portis is an eight-year veteran of the league who has been through both winning and losing situations in the league. Now a vital cog of a legitimate title contender, Portis says he won't hesitate to speak up if it makes the team better.

"I think I'm a leader. I lead by voice, and I lead by example as well. Just some things that I've grown over my career, and I know with my time here, been here 1,000 plus days now, so the guys know me. The guys know who I am. They know I wear my heart on my sleeve. I compete at a high level on a day-to-day basis, whether shots are going in or not, whether I'm playing well or not, I'm here for the betterment of the team," Portis said.

"So, just being a leader, being a voice. And whoever else's opinions, outside opinions outside of our team, that's just their opinions about me or our team. I'm here for all the right reasons."