Head coach Doc Rivers expressed sympathy for Bobby Portis, praising his leadership on and off the court. Rivers acknowledged the void Portis' absence will create, both in terms of his contributions to the game and his vocal presence within the team.
The Milwaukee Bucks are dealing with a major setback as forward Bobby Portis has been handed a 25-game suspension by the NBA after testing positive for a banned substance.
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Denver NuggetsThe news has shaken the team, leaving a significant hole in their lineup both on and off the court. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers recently shared his thoughts on Portis' suspension, expressing both sympathy for the player and recognition of the crucial role he plays within the team.
Portis, who has been a key contributor for the Bucks this season, has been averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. However, Rivers made it clear that Portis' leadership and voice within the team are just as important as his on-court performance.
"It’s funny, what the people don’t see is there’s certain guys that you need," Rivers said per Eric Nehm. "Bobby’s the one guy, he’s the voice. He’s the guy who tells everyone, 'Stop ****ing around in practice.' Today, it was me saying that, and it’s just not the same. Bobby’s voice is bigger and better. You can’t replace a human being, especially one as special as Bobby."
While Portis will miss a substantial amount of time, Rivers emphasized that the Bucks will need to rely on their collective effort to fill the void left by the 30-year-old forward’s absence.
Rivers also expressed sympathy for Portis, acknowledging the personal struggles he has faced this year, including the loss of his grandmother and his house being broken into.
"I just feel bad for Bobby, on so many levels," Rivers said. "This is gonna be one hell of a story for him."
The suspension came after Portis unknowingly took a banned substance. According to Portis' agent, Mark Bartelstein, the forward mistakenly took Tramadol, thinking it was Toradol, a pain medication he had used previously.
The error occurred when an assistant provided him with the incorrect medication, resulting in a failed drug test.
Though Portis will be sidelined for the next several weeks, he will remain involved with the team in a limited capacity. He can still practice with the Bucks but must leave the arena two hours before games.
Rivers stressed that while Portis will be missed on the court, the Bucks are committed to supporting him through this challenging time, ensuring he remains an integral part of the team’s spirit.
"We get to still play. Bobby doesn’t get to play," Rivers said. "Our job is to make sure Bobby is still with us, not just as a team, but also in the community. He’s so big here, and people need to make sure he knows they’re with him."
As the Bucks currently sit at 30-24, holding the 5th spot in the Eastern Conference, the team’s playoff aspirations remain intact.
However, Portis’ absence will undoubtedly have an impact, and the road ahead will be a challenging one for the team.
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