Bucks Zone

"One of those things you can't really take for granted" - Bobby Portis Jr. looks forward to playing on Christmas Day

The Milwaukee Bucks will take on the New York Knicks on Christmas Day.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the ten teams that will see action on Christmas Day.

The Bucks will be in New York to take on the Knicks on December 25th, which means they will not have their usual Christmas celebration.

A privilege playing on Christmas

While the Christmas game will keep them away from their families, bull-strong forward Bobby Portis Jr. is not complaining, saying being able to play on Christmas Day is extra special.

"One of those things you can't really take for granted," said Portis.

Milwaukee is set to play its fifth consecutive Christmas game. Knowing that the Bucks are a regular fixture on the special day, Portis disclosed that he didn't make the usual holiday preparations.

"I ain't even put a tree up this year like at the crib. Like, I don't even have a tree up because on the 22nd, which is Friday, we leave, and you know. Obviously, I ain't going to be able to open no presents under my tree," Portis said, laughing.

A fan of Christmas Day games

Portis is resigned to the idea that he will be away from his family on Christmas day. For Bobby, it's all part of the job.

"It's what our job entails us to do. It's what the work calls when we have to go play high-level basketball on the road. That's what we have to do. We'll come back and celebrate Christmas afterward, or if guys have kids or whatever it is, they'll celebrate it before which is probably not the same feeling," said Bobby.

Back in the day, Portis Jr. himself looked forward to watching Christmas Day games, and now that he gets to play on a glorious day is a privilege.

"You grow up watching the greats play on Christmas every year, and you open your presents, and you cut the game on at 12, and you watch the Bucks this year. You feel me growing up, turn the game on at 12 while I watch Kobe (Bryant) or I watch KG (Kevin Garnett) or whatever it is. Being able to, not saying I'm in their shoes, but kind of 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," Portis concluded.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.