© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
"Just bringing heart" – Bobby Portis Jr. on helping the Bucks propel a late rally win over the Blazers
While Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard carried the heavier load, Bobby Portis still emerged as the Milwaukee Bucks' unsung hero in their dramatic comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Bucks managed to gradually trim the Blazers' lead, which reached as high as 26 in the third frame upon entering the final quarter. A little more push was needed down the stretch, but Portis provided a hefty contribution in Milwaukee's late rally that saw them flipping the entire script and erasing Portland's 15-point lead in the fourth to take the 108-102 weekend victory.
Without Portis' heroics – courtesy of his igniting back-to-back treys in the last frame – the Bucks wouldn't be able to fulfill the largest comeback in the NBA so far this season.
Heart and 110% Effort
In the postgame, Portis was asked how he was able to pull off such a marvelous display to help the Bucks complete its come-from-behind efforts against the Blazers.
As such, he just provided the answer in a typical Bobby manner.
"Just bringing heart," Portis said after ending the night with 12 points and eight boards. "I had nothing going on for me. I was missing layups. Missing shots I normally make. But one thing I always rely on is effort, whether I'm making shots or missing, I give my all on a daily basis. When I step out there, I'm 110% in. That's one thing nobody can take from me, no matter what. I play hard, I play with all heart."
Staying as one
About their mentality of staying resilient, when adversities hit and arrive, Portis can only credit the Bucks' great culture of promoting a collective positive attitude and accountability.
Without that sense of togetherness and accountability, Milwaukee won't be pegged as a title contender. With that, Portis is proud of his team's resonating contribution that comes from everyone, and this recent performance against Portland serves as solid proof of their unbreakable bond as one.
"Obviously, if you're on a winning team or just a team in general, it takes all guys, takes the whole [team]. Even the guys that that might not play. When I've came here, they've already had a culture, a stepping stone already. Guys on the bench uplift the guys that are playing. Guys that come off the court dap each other up and say 'Keep going' whenever you making shots or missing. We're always there for one another," Bobby concluded.
